Ypres - third battle

Passchendaele is a village in West Flanders, Belguim, near Ypres. The nearby Passchendaele Ridge, some 200 feet high, was captured and then fortified by the Germans in October 1914. It was a vital strategic gain as it gave them command of the Allied Lines. It was captured by the British against strong resistance during the October to November 1917 campaign as part of the Third Battle of Ypres. It was then retaken by the Germans in March 1918 and recaptured by the Belgains in October 1918.