Battle of Broodseinde
This page shows a map centered on geo: 50.8758,3.0019. A four decimal point latitude and longitude coordinate is precise to approximately ten metres. The map uses data from OpenStreetMap and is rendered with MapBox when ‘Plain map’ is selected. ‘Detailed map’ uses OSM Carto, which is more complete in most parts of the world and place names are shown in their original language. ‘Satellite view’ uses Mapbox Satellite Streets. All maps are copyright and are used by permission.
The Battle of Broodseinde was fought on 4th October 1917 near Ypres in Belgium, at the east end of the Gheluvelt plateau, by the British Second and Fifth armies against the German 4th Army. The battle was the most successful Allied attack of the Third Battle of Ypres. Using bite‑and‑hold tactics, with objectives limited to what could be held against German counter‑attacks, the British devastated the German defence, prompted a crisis among the German commanders and caused a severe loss of morale in the 4th Army. Preparations were made by the Germans for local withdrawals and planning began for a greater withdrawal, which would entail the abandonment by the Germans of the Belgian coast, one of the strategic aims of the Flanders Offensive.
Nine Victoria Crosses were awarded during the Battle of Broodseinde:
- Sergeant Charles Coverdale, from the 11th (Northern) Division
- Acting Lieutenant Colonel Lewis Evans, of the 21st Division
- Acting Corporal Fred Greaves of the 11th (Northern) Division
- Private Arthur Hutt from the 48th (South Midland) Division
- Sergeant Lewis McGee of the 3rd Australian Division
- Acting Sergeant‑Major James Ockendon of the 29th Division
- Lance‑Corporal Walter Peeler, from the 3rd Australian Division
- Acting Captain Clement Robertson of the Royal Tank Regiment
- Private Thomas Sage from the 37th Division
In volume ⅩⅢ (1942) of the German official history, Der Weltkrieg, the official historians recorded 35,000 casualties for the period 1st–10th October. The 45th Reserve Division suffered 2,883 casualties and the 4th Guard Division 2,786. The British took 4,759 German prisoners, increasing the total to c. 10,000 since 20th September.
Second Army casualties for the week ending 4th October were 12,256; the Ⅱ Anzac Corps suffered 3,500 casualties, including 1,663 New Zealanders. The 21st Division suffered 2,616 casualties, the highest loss in the Second Army. Fifth Army casualties for the week to 5th October were 3,305.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Broodseinde