Battle of Broodseinde - Background

Background

The Battle of Broodseinde was the third of Plumer's elaborate form of "bite and hold" attacks in the Passchendaele campaign, (3rd Battle of Ypres) conducted after the British reorganisation caused by the costly but successful defence of the plateau by the German army, during the unseasonal heavy rains in August, which had a worse effect on the British attempts to advance than on the German attempts to maintain their positions. The plateau ran along the southern edge of the Ypres Salient and formed a formidable barrier to further eastward attacks, obstructing the Allied advance out of the salient. The battle followed the Battle of Menin Road on 20 September and the Battle of Polygon Wood on 26 September, which captured much the Gheluvelt plateau and inflicted many casualties on the German defenders. There had been at least 24 German counter-attacks since the Battle of Menin Road and more after the battle of Polygon Wood, particularly on 30 September and 1 October when larger German prepared counter-attacks (gegenangriffe) were costly failures.

On 28 September, Haig had met Gough and Plumer to explain his intentions in view of the victories of 20 and 26 September, the continued fine weather, the disarray of the German defenders and the limited prospect of German reinforcements arriving from the Russian front. Haig judged that the next attack, due on 6 October would conclude the period of strictly limited advances and that the following step would be a deeper advance with provision made for exploitation. Haig wanted XV Corps on the Belgian coast and the amphibious force of Operation Hush readied to follow up, in case of a general withdrawal by the Germans. Reserve formations of infantry, artillery, cavalry and tanks were to be made ready behind the Fifth and Second armies to extend a successful attack. Gough and Plumer replied over the next couple of days that they felt that Haig's proposals were premature and that exploitation would not be feasible, until Passchendaele ridge had been captured north to Westroosebeke. Capturing the ridge would probably take two more steps at three day intervals, followed by another four days to repair roads over the captured ground. Haig explained that although exploitation of the attack due on 10 October was not certain, he desired the arrangements for one to be ready since they could be used at a later date.