<– Part 168 – October 7, 1917  | Part 169 – October 14, 1917 |  Part 170 – October 21, 1917 –>

Map showing flooding near Passchendaele, during the 3rd Battle of Ypres

Photo showing the battlefield the morning after the battle

Another British assault at Ypres, this time near Poelcappelle, floundered October 9, following a long stream of success. This time, bad weather and rain hampered the movement of men, artillery, and ammunition, allowing the Germans to defend in the absence of the British artillery barrages – indeed, the British were only able to drop just over half the shells they’ve used in similar battles. The British lost 10,500 troops, with German losses this month reaching 35,000 (13,000 of them missing). On October 12, at the actual village of Passchendaele, near Ypres, the Germans scored another defensive victory, 13,000 British, Australian, and New Zealand soldiers fell, with an additional 10,000 German casualties.

New Zealand artillery in action, October 12

Map of Operation Albion

October 11 saw German forces in Estonia land on islands in the area, continuing their Operation Albion against Russian forces. To the south, naval forces under US command in the Mediterranean attacked the Austro-Hungarian port of Durazzo, in Albania. Following an exchange of fire, in which no American personnel were injured, the Austrian base was destroyed.