Ypres 2010 - Passchendaele

The village of Passchendaele was finaly taken by the the Canadians 6th November 1917.

The British casulties are listed in the Official History of the Great War as 238,313..

One Casulaty for every 27 yards advanced.


Passchendaele Church



In support of the main Canadian attack on Passchendaele, the British launched attacks to protect the left flank. This included attacks by the 50th Division supported by 250 & 251 Brigades (1st Line Northumbrian Artillery), and 63rd (Royal Naval) Division supported by 223 and 318 Brigades (the latter Brigade originating from 2nd Line Northumbrian Artillery).

Ypres 2010 - Tyne Cot

Ypres 2010 - Pilkem Ridge / Langemarck

Pilkem Ridge
On the 24th October 1917, the Commanding Officer 250 Brigade led his Battery Commanders onto Pilkem Ridge.



“Fifty square miles of slime and filth from which every shell that burst threw up ghastly relics and raised stenches too abominable to describe; and over all, dominating all, a never-ceasing ear shattering fire and the sickly reek of the deadly mustard gas “
The history of the 1st Northumberland Bde RFA (TF) 1914-1919

Langenarck
After the BC’s recce, it was onto Langemarck, where the guns of 250 Brigade deployed. In 1917 Langemarck had been reduced to rubble, the Northumbrians using the floors of the demolished buildings to provide firm platforms.

Ypres - Messines Ridge and Mine Craters

The 3rd Battle of Ypres in 1917 commenced with the Battle of Messines and the blowing of the mines on the Messines Ridge. This was a preliminary operation aimed at straightening out the Ypres Salient and securing vital ground prior to the main 3rd Ypres Battle. As part of this operation 21 mines were dug into the Messines Ridge and detonated prior to the main assault. The mine craters up to 200 feet deep remain.

Kruisstraat Crater

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and a reminder of the Iron Harvest...nearly 3 million shells were fired at Messines, some did not explode.


Spanbroekmolen Crater