Memorial New Zealand at Passchendaele

On 4 October 1917, the New Zealand Division attacked Graventafel Spur, also known as Abraham Heights. They lost over 300 men, but took the German pillboxes and bunkers and captured many prisoners. The first part of the battle, known as Broodseinde, was considered a success, and the New Zealanders consolidated their newly-won positions.

Attacking again on 12 October, the New Zealanders’ role was to take the high ground of Bellevue Spur, so that the Australians (on the right) could sweep in and capture the ruins of Passchendaele.

But the rain came, and behind a weak and ineffective artillery barrage, the New Zealand men struggled to advance through the mud. Vicious German machine-gun fire stopped them in their tracks and barbed-wire defences – that their artillery had failed to cut – made further progress impossible.

Within hours, over 800 New Zealanders had been killed. The defeat of Passchendaele remains New Zealand’s darkest days – the highest one-day death toll in New Zealand’s history.

Do you have more information about this location? Inform us!

Source

• Text: Luc Van Waeyenberge
• Photos: Luc Van Waeyenberge
• Informatiebord