Editing Battle of Passchendaele (section)

===October–November===

====German counter-attacks, 30 September – 4 October====

{{main|Actions of 30 September – 4 October 1917}}

At {{nowrap|4:00&nbsp;a.m.}} on 30 September, a thick mist covered the ground and at {{nowrap|4:30&nbsp;a.m.}} German artillery began a bombardment between the Menin road and the Reutelbeek. At {{nowrap|5:15&nbsp;a.m.,}} German troops emerged from the mist on an {{cvt|800|yd}} front.{{sfn|Sandilands|2003|pp=198–199}} The attack was supported by flame-throwers and German infantry throwing smoke- and hand-grenades. The British replied with small-arms fire and bombs, forcing the Germans to retreat in confusion but a post was lost south of the Menin road, then retaken by an immediate counter-attack. SOS rockets were not seen in the mist and the British artillery remained silent.{{sfn|Edmonds|1991|pp=301, 302}} The Germans were repulsed again at {{nowrap|6:00&nbsp;a.m.}} but German artillery-fire continued during the day.{{sfn|Sandilands|2003|pp=198–199}}

On 1 October, at {{nowrap|5:00&nbsp;a.m.,}} a German [[hurricane bombardment]] began from the Reutelbeek north to Polygon Wood and Black Watch Corner; by coincidence a Second Army practice barrage began at {{nowrap|5:15&nbsp;a.m.}} The British front line was cut off and German infantry attacked in three waves at {{nowrap|5:30&nbsp;a.m.}}{{sfn|Bean|1941|p=837}} Two determined German attacks were repulsed south of Cameron Covert, then at {{nowrap|7:00&nbsp;p.m.}} German troops massed near the Menin road. The German attack was defeated by small-arms fire and the British artillery, whose observers had seen the SOS rockets. The British were forced out of Cameron Covert and counter-attacked but a German attack began at the same time and the British were repulsed. Another German attack failed and the German troops dug in behind some old German barbed wire; after dark, more German attacks around Cameron Covert failed.{{sfn|Sandilands|2003|pp=200–204}} North of the covert near Polygon Wood, deep mud smothered German shells before they exploded but they still caused many casualties. Communication with the rear was lost and the Germans attacked all day but British SOS rockets remained visible and the attacks took no ground; after dark German attacks were repulsed by another three SOS barrages.{{sfn|Atkinson|2009|pp=410–412}}

{{lang|de|Unternehmen Hohensturm}} (Operation High Storm) was planned by {{lang|de|Gruppe Ypern}} to recapture the Tokio Spur from Zonnebeke south to Molenaarelsthoek at the eastern edge of Polygon Wood on 3 October.{{sfn|Bean|1941|p=846}} The attacking infantry from the 45th Reserve and the 4th Guard divisions were commanded by Major Freiherr von Schleinitz in the north and Lieutenant-Colonel Rave in the south.{{sfn|Bean|1941|p=847}} After the costly failure of the methodical counter-attack ( {{lang|de|Gegenangriff}}) on 1 October, the attack was put back to 4 October, rehearsals taking place from 2 to 3 October.{{sfn|Edmonds|1991|pp=303–304}} On the night of {{nowrap|3/4 October,}} the German commanders had doubts about the attack but decided to proceed with the {{lang|de|Gegenangriff}}, warning the artillery to be ready to commence defensive bombardments.{{sfn|Bean|1941|p=858}} A contact patrol aircraft was arranged to fly over the area at {{nowrap|7:30&nbsp;a.m.}}{{sfn|Bean|1941|p=847}}

====Battle of Broodseinde====

{{Main|Battle of Broodseinde}}

On 4 October, the British began the Battle of Broodseinde to complete the capture of the Gheluvelt Plateau and occupy Broodseinde Ridge. By coincidence, the Germans sought to recapture their defences around Zonnebeke with a {{lang|de|Gegenangriff}} at the same time.{{sfn|Prior|Wilson|1996|p=135}} The British attacked along a {{cvt|14000|yd|mi+km}} front and as the I Anzac Corps divisions began their advance towards Broodseinde Ridge, men were seen rising from shell-holes in no man's land and more German troops were found concealed in shell-craters. Most of the German troops of the [[45th Reserve Division (German Empire)|45th Reserve Division]] were overrun or retreated through the British barrage, then the Australians attacked pillboxes one-by-one and captured the village of Zonnebeke north of the ridge.{{sfnm|1a1=Bean|1y=1941|1pp=837, 847|2a1=Edmonds|2y=1991|2pp=304–307}} When the British barrage began on Broodseinde Ridge, the Keiberg Spur and Waterdamhoek, some of the German forward headquarters staffs only realised that they were under attack when British and Australian troops appeared.{{sfn|Bean|1941|pp=858–859}}

As news arrived of the great success of the attack, the head of GHQ Intelligence went to the Second Army headquarters to discuss exploitation. Plumer declined the suggestion, as eight fresh German divisions were behind the battlefield, with another six beyond them.{{sfn|Edmonds|1991|p=316}} Later in the day, Plumer had second thoughts and ordered I Anzac Corps to push on to the Keiberg spur, with support from the II Anzac Corps. The II Anzac Corps commander wanted to advance north-east towards Passchendaele village but the I Anzac Corps commander preferred to wait until artillery had been brought up and supply routes improved. The X Corps commander proposed an attack northward from In de Ster<!--place name--> into the southern flank of the Germans opposite I Anzac Corps. The 7th Division commander objected, due to uncertainty about the situation and the many casualties suffered by the 21st Division on the right flank and Plumer changed his mind again. During the morning, Gough had told the Fifth Army corps commanders to push on but when reports arrived of a repulse at 19 Metre Hill, the order was cancelled.{{sfn|Edmonds|1991|pp=315–317}}

====German defensive changes====

{{main|Western Front tactics, 1917#German defensive changes, late 1917|l1=German defensive changes, late 1917}}

[[File:NLS Haig - Troops moving up at eventide - men of a Yorkshire regiment on the march (cropped).jpg|thumb|{{centre|British soldiers moving forward during the Battle of Broodseinde. Photo by [[Ernest Brooks (photographer)|Ernest Brooks]].}}]]
On 7 October, the 4th Army again dispersed its troops in the front defence zone. Reserve battalions moved back behind the artillery protective line and the {{lang|de|Eingreif}} divisions were organised to intervene as swiftly as possible once an attack commenced, despite the risk of British artillery-fire. Counter-battery fire to suppress the British artillery was to be increased, to protect the {{lang|de|Eingreif}} divisions as they advanced.{{sfn|Wynne|1976|p=309}} All of the German divisions holding front zones were relieved and an extra division brought forward, because the British advances had lengthened the front line. Without the divisions necessary for a counter-offensive south of the Gheluvelt Plateau towards Kemmel Hill, Rupprecht began to plan for a slow withdrawal from the Ypres Salient, even at the risk of uncovering German positions further north and on the Belgian coast.{{sfn|Sheldon|2007|pp=228–229}}{{efn|195th, 16th, 4th Bavarian, 18th, 227th, 240th, 187th and 22nd Reserve divisions).{{sfn|USWD|1920}}}}

====Battle of Poelcappelle====

{{Main|Battle of Poelcappelle}}

The French First Army and British Second and Fifth armies attacked on 9 October, on a {{cvt|13500|yd|mi+km}} front, from south of Broodseinde to St Jansbeek, to advance half of the distance from Broodseinde ridge to Passchendaele, on the main front, which led to many casualties on both sides. Advances in the north of the attack front were retained by British and French troops but most of the ground taken in front of Passchendaele and on the Becelaere and Gheluvelt spurs was lost to German counter-attacks.{{sfn|Bean|1941|p=887}} General [[William Birdwood, 1st Baron Birdwood|William Birdwood]] later wrote that the return of heavy rain and mud sloughs was the main cause of the failure to hold captured ground. Kuhl concluded that the fighting strained German fighting power to the limit but that the German forces managed to prevent a breakthrough, although it was becoming much harder to replace losses.{{sfn|Terraine|1977|pp=287–288}}

====First Battle of Passchendaele====

{{Main|First Battle of Passchendaele}}

[[File:Passchendaele aerial view.jpg|thumb|{{centre|Aerial view of Passchendaele village before and after the battle}}]]
The First Battle of Passchendaele on 12 October 1917 was another Allied attempt to gain ground around Passchendaele. Heavy rain and mud again made movement difficult and little artillery could be brought closer to the front. Allied troops were exhausted and morale had fallen. After a modest British advance, German counter-attacks recovered most of the ground lost opposite Passchendaele, except for an area on the right of the Wallemolen spur. North of Poelcappelle, the XIV Corps of the Fifth Army advanced along the Broembeek some way up the Watervlietbeek and the Stadenrevebeek streams and the Guards Division captured the west end of the Vijwegen spur, gaining observation over the south end of Houthulst Forest.{{sfn|Edmonds|1991|pp=341–344}} There were {{nowrap|13,000 Allied}} casualties, including {{nowrap|2,735 New}} Zealanders, {{nowrap|845 of}} whom were dead or stranded in the mud of no-man's-land; it was one of the worst days in New Zealand military history.{{sfn|Liddle|1997|p=285}}<!--including {{nowrap|about 3,700 New}} Zealanders, {{nowrap|842 of}} whom were dead or stranded in the mud of no-man's-land;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/western-front-1917#heading5|title=1917: Arras, Messines and Passchendaele – 1917: Arras, Messines and Passchendaele – NZHistory, New Zealand history online|website=nzhistory.govt.nz|access-date=31 July 2017}}</ref>need printed sources for this if possible-->

At a conference on 13 October, Haig and the army commanders agreed that attacks would stop until the weather improved and roads could be extended, to carry more artillery and ammunition forward. The offensive was to continue, to reach a suitable line for the winter and to keep German attention on Flanders, with a French attack due on 23 October and the Third Army operation south of Arras scheduled for mid-November.{{sfn|Edmonds|1991|pp=345–346}} The battle was also costly for the Germans, who lost more than {{nowrap|1,000 prisoners.}}{{sfn|Boraston|1920|p=130}} The German 195th Division at Passchendaele suffered {{nowrap|3,325}} casualties from 9 to 12 October and had to be relieved by the 238th Division.{{sfn|Sheldon|2007|p=236}} Ludendorff became optimistic that Passchendaele Ridge could be held and ordered the 4th Army to stand fast.{{sfn|Sheldon|2007|p=233}} On 18 October, Kuhl advocated a retreat as far to the east as possible; Sixt von Armin and Loßberg wanted to hold on, because the ground beyond the Passchendaele [[Drainage divide|watershed]] was untenable, even in winter.{{sfn|Terraine|1977|p=305}}

==== Action of 22 October ====
{{main|Action of 22 October 1917}}

On 22 October the 18th (Eastern) Division of XVIII Corps attacked the east end of Poelcappelle as XIV Corps to the north attacked with the 34th Division between the Watervlietbeek and Broenbeek streams and the 35th Division northwards into [[Houthulst]] Forest. The attack was supported by a regiment of the French 1st Division on the left flank of the 35th Division and was intended to obstruct a possible German counter-attack on the left flank of the Canadian Corps as it attacked Passchendaele and the ridge. The artillery of the Second and Fifth armies conducted a bombardment to simulate a general attack as a deception. Poelcappelle was captured but the attack at the junction between the 34th and 35th divisions was repulsed. German counter-attacks pushed back the 35th Division in the centre but the French attack captured all its objectives. Attacking on ground cut up by bombardments and soaked by rain, the British had struggled to advance in places and lost the ability to move quickly to outflank pillboxes. The 35th Division reached the fringe of Houthulst Forest but was outflanked and pushed back in places. German counter-attacks made after 22 October, were at an equal disadvantage and were costly failures. The German 4th Army was prevented from transferring troops away from the Fifth Army and from concentrating its artillery-fire on the Canadians as they prepared for the Second Battle of Passchendaele (26 October – 10 November 1917).{{sfn|Perry|2014|pp=475–486}}

====Battle of La Malmaison====

{{Main|Battle of La Malmaison}}

After numerous requests from Haig, Petain began the Battle of La Malmaison, a long-delayed French attack on the Chemin des Dames, by the Sixth Army (General [[Paul Maistre]]). The artillery preparation started on 17 October and on 23 October, the German defenders were swiftly defeated and the French advanced up to {{cvt|3.7|mi}}, capturing the village and fort of La Malmaison, gaining control of the Chemin des Dames ridge.{{sfn|Terraine|1977|p=307}} The Germans lost {{nowrap|38,000 men}} killed or missing and {{nowrap|12,000 prisoners,}} along with {{nowrap|200 guns}} and {{nowrap|720 machine-guns,}} against {{nowrap|14,000 French}} casualties, fewer than a third of the German total.{{sfn|Philpott|2014|p=279}} The Germans had to withdraw from their remaining positions on the Chemin des Dames to the north of the Ailette Valley early in November. Haig was pleased with the French success but regretted the delay, which had lessened its effect on the Flanders operations.{{sfn|Terraine|1977|p=307}}

====Second Battle of Passchendaele====

{{Main|Second Battle of Passchendaele}}

[[File:Second Battle of Passchendaele - Barbed wire and Mud.jpg|thumb|{{centre|Terrain through which the Canadian Corps advanced at Passchendaele, in late 1917}}]]
[[File:Landscape Passendale Tyne Cot 2.jpg|thumb|{{centre|Terrain at Passchendaele near where the Canadian Corps advanced, spring 2015}}]]
The British [[Fifth Army (United Kingdom)|Fifth Army]] undertook minor operations from {{nowrap|20 to 22 October,}} to maintain pressure on the Germans and support the French attack at La Malmaison, while the Canadian Corps prepared for a series of attacks from {{nowrap|26 October to 10 November.}}{{sfnm|1a1=Bean|1y=1941|1p=930|2a1=Edmonds|2y=1991|2p=347}} The four divisions of the Canadian Corps had been transferred to the [[Ypres Salient]] from Lens, to capture Passchendaele and the ridge.{{sfn|Bean|1941|p=929}} The Canadians relieved the [[II Anzac Corps]] on 18 October and found that the front line was mostly the same as that occupied by the [[1st Canadian Division]] back in April 1915. The Canadian operation was to be three limited attacks, on 26 October, 30 October and 6 November.{{sfn|Nicholson|1964|pp=312, 314}} On 26 October, the 3rd Canadian Division captured its objective at Wolf Copse, then swung back its northern flank to link with the adjacent division of the Fifth Army. The 4th Canadian Division captured its objectives but was forced slowly to retire from Decline Copse by German counter-attacks and communication failures between the Canadians and the Australian units to the south.{{sfn|Nicholson|1964|p=320}}

The second stage began on 30 October, to complete the previous stage and gain a base for the final assault on Passchendaele. The attackers on the southern flank quickly captured Crest Farm and sent patrols beyond the final objective into Passchendaele. The attack on the northern flank again met with exceptional German resistance. The 3rd Canadian Division captured Vapour Farm on the corps boundary, Furst Farm to the west of Meetcheele and the crossroads at Meetcheele but remained short of its objective. During a seven-day pause, the Second Army took over another section of the Fifth Army front adjoining the Canadian Corps. Three rainless days from {{nowrap|3 to 5 November}} eased preparation for the next stage, which began on the morning of 6 November, with the 1st Canadian Division and the [[2nd Canadian Division]]. In less than three hours, many units reached their final objectives and Passchendaele was captured. The Canadian Corps attacked on 10 November to gain control of the remaining high ground north of the village near {{nowrap|Hill 52.}}{{sfnm|1a1=Nicholson|1y=1964|1pp=320–325|2a1=Sheldon|2y=2007|2pp=311–312}}{{efn|German troops engaged were from the 239th, 39th, 4th, 44th Reserve, 7th, 11th, 11th Bavarian, 238th, 199th, 27th, 185th, 111th and 40th divisions.{{sfn|USWD|1920}}}}