Passendale
| Passendale | |
|---|---|
| Deelgemeente | |
| Passchendaele (Dutch) | |
 |
|
| Coordinates: 50°54′3″N 3°1′21″E / 50.90083°N 3.02250°E | |
| Country | Belgium |
| Province |
 West Flanders
|
| Municipality | Zonnebeke |
| Area | |
| • Total | 22.22 km2 (8.58 sq mi) |
| Population (1999) | |
| • Total | 2,928 |
| • Density | 131.77/km2 (341.3/sq mi) |
| Source: NIS | |
| Postal code | 8980 |
Passendale (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈpɑsə(n)daːlə]) or Passchendaele (obsolete spelling, retained in English) is a rural Belgian village in the Zonnebeke municipality of West Flanders province. It is close to the town of Ypres, situated on the hill ridge separating the historical wetlands of the Yser and Leie valleys. It is also commonly known as a battlefield and the name of a campaign during World War I, the Battle of Passchendaele.
In the pre-Roman and Roman times the area of the town was located along the border between the Menapii and Morini Belgic tribes of northern Gaul and later the border between the bishoprics of Tournai and Thérouanne. The town is first recorded in 844 as Pascandale, and may be named after an individual by the name of Paulus, Pascan or Pasko. In the Middle Ages, most of the region was ruled by the Augustine abbey of Zonnebeke and the Benedictine convent of Nonnebossen. Both the abbey and the convent were destroyed during an iconoclasm (Beeldenstorm) of 1580.
Passchendale Ridge (60 m (200 ft)) gives its name in common parlance to a major battle of the First World War, officially the Third Battle of Ypres. It was a British led offensive against the Germans, lasting from 31 July to 10 November 1917. Distinguishing features included the extensive rain leading up to it, as well as the relative absence of French troops. The government of France faced a massive mutiny at the time, having lost nearly 4 million troops to this point against the Central Powers. In addition to English troops, Welsh, Scotch, Irish, Canadians, Belgian, New Zealanders, Australian and Indian troops fought on the side of the Allies, under the command of Field Marshal Douglas Haig.
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