The commune of Zonnebeke in Flanders commemorated the Battle of Passendale, which took place on the 10th of November 1917, with a candlelit procession on Monday. Armistice commemorations traditionally take place over two days in Zonnebeke. They not only commemorate the end of the First World War on the 11th of November, but also the end of the Battle of Passendale on the 10th of November 1917, also known as the third Battle of Ypres.
In 1917, the allies wanted to launch an offensive just before Winter arrived. After the failure of several offensives, the Canadians succeeded in piercing enemy lines, but it was a Pyrrhic victory. The Canadians gained just 700 metres in 10 days and lost 16,000 men.
Earlier in the day, a new monument was unveiled in front of several hundred people, in honour of the British Bedfordshire regiment. It is in the cemetery of Tyne Cote, the biggest First World War cemetery in Westhoek.
(Source: Belga)
