Source: File: German prisoners and British wounded crossing a duck board bridge over
the Yser Canal. Near Boesinghe, 31 July 1917. See an original image at: <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Battle_of_Passchendaele,_July-november_1917_Q5726.jpg>
[Accessed 01 August 2017]
One day had started - 'the
day of battle
The world had waited for began.'
Such were words of war correspondent
Philip Gibbs - formed in acts of
battle
Tactics; did that world
include Germany?
Over land between Boesinghe
to River
Lys, shoulder-to-shoulder
French
And allied troopers began
the fight - after
Intensity of bombardment and
offence
Opened to soften the German
side.
Along a 15-mile front French
made their
Approaches over allied left
shoulder.
Despite poor weather, the
sector of Ypres
Neighbour villages fell from
German
Hands - Steenstraete soon succumbed.
The Poilu had made great
advances
In protection of the allied left flank -
Taking objectives within
first few hours,
Two miles into enemy
occupation
Another objective formed,
Bixschoote.
In south easterly directions
the mass
Of Poilu's advanced into
Kortekeer,
Cabaret village - with other
communes
Soon to follow - short hours
later
German counter attacks were halted.
From their centralised push
the British
Made gain of two miles -
objectives
Of Steebeek river crossings
were taken.
With formation of two assurgent
Systems, assaults opened on targets.
St Julien, Frezenberg, Pikem
along
With Verlorenhoek -
strongholds
Of woods and farms reformed
under
Hands of British - on the
south
Flank first objectives were
also gained.
Sanctuary Wood and Hooge
village -
while Westhoek village witnessed
A vicious struggle - a mile
reportedly
Taken. All about counter
attacks
Were faced and held on:
stalemate.
Success upon success - all
within
Initial hours of fight to
suggest
Great gains. Reports promised
battle
Wins the world had awaited -
This might just be the
breakthrough.
by Jamie Mann.
Anon.,1917.
Great Battle Of Flanders. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 01 August 1917. P.5. Col.4. Available at:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/12214747/Daily-Telegraph-August-1-1917.html
[Accessed: 01 August 2017].
Mann, J., 2016. 100
years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 01 August
2017).
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