Defeat of the Prussian Guard at
Ypres, 1914, by the 2nd Battalion Ox and
Bucks (52nd) by William Barnes Wollen. The latest addition of First World war prints to the Cranston Collection,
depicting the Ox and Bucks during close quarter combat amongst the forest
area around Ypres. 1914.
Sgt. Robert Bye VC, 1st Battalion Welsh Guards near Langemarck by David
Rowlands 3rd Battle of Ypres, 31st July 1917.
Battle for Ypres.
During World war one there were three major battle for Ypres. (A
Belgium Town west of Flanders and South of Ostend) The first a British
Offensive between October and November 1914. The fighting was extremely
heavy and ended up with the Germans gaining the commanding ground around
Ypres including the Ridge of Messines. The British and French held the
saliant around Ypres which extended into the German line, This made
the area held by the British and French to be bombarded by three fronts
and nearly from the rear as well. The losses were estimated to be 150,000
casualties each on both sides.
The second Battle for Ypres (April to May 1915) opened with a Chlorine
gas attack by the Germans, This opened a large gap in the British lines,
But the Germans were unable to exploit the situation, before the British
and Canadians had filled the gap with reserves. More gas attacks followed, and the
Allied forces had to withdrawal a small area ,making there incursion in
the German Line smaller.
The Third Battle for Ypres in July to November 1917, is known as
Passchendale. This Allied Offensive was fought by British, Canadian and Australian
troops and was launched with the aim to Capture the Belgium
ports held by the German's. Fought in very bad conditions in driving rain
and waterlogged ground. The Allies lost over 300,000 casualties for the
gain of only a few miles.
