Third Ypres 1917 (1): The Initial Push for Passchendaele

A highly illustrated study of Britain's first attempts to breakout of the Ypres salient in the summer of 1917.

Opening with the stunning capture of Messines Ridge, the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) planned to breach the Ypres salient on a broad front. Their immediate objective was Passchendaele Ridge, 5 miles away. Exploitation from there would compel a German withdrawal from Ostend, enabling a link-up with a proposed amphibious operation to deny U-boat bases. The second strategic impera...