‘The Battle of Passchendaele, or the Third Battle of Ypres, in Flanders, raged from July to November 1917 and was fought for control of the commanding, 80-metre high, ridges which ran south and east from the Belgian city of Ypres. These ridges bulged into the Germans lines creating a salient and capturing them would prove advantageous to the allies. The trench lines of both sides had changed little since the Second Battle of Ypres fought between April 22^nd and May 25^th, 1915 (notable as the first time the Germans used poisoned gas). Field Marshall Sir Douglas Haigh’s plan for the third battle was controversial (and remains so) and was opposed by the French and British Prime Minister Lloyd George. It remains debated whether Haigh should have awaited the arrival of American forces later in 1917 before launching his assault. Approval was only received on July 25^th for the plan to go ahead. Haig had already ordered a preparatory bombardment for his assault which had begun on July 11^th.’

This episode was written by Murray Dahm.

Murray is an ancient and medieval military historian from New Zealand, living in Australia. He has written more than 100 articles on various aspects of ancient and medieval military history and other historical topics from all periods. He is the author of Macedonian Phalangite vs Persian Warrior, Athenian Hoplite vs Spartan Hoplite and Leuctra 371 BC, all from Osprey Publishing. He is a regular on the Ancient Warfare Podcast.