Passchendaele (battle honour)

Passchendaele is a battle honour awarded to military units of the British Empire and Commonwealth for service in the Third Battle of Ypres, fought around the village of Passendale (now Passchendaele) in Belgium in 1917.

The Third Battle of Ypres, also known as the Battle of Passchendaele, was one of the major battles of the First World War on the Western Front. Characterized by relentless artillery bombardment, exceptionally muddy conditions, and heavy casualties, it lasted from July to November 1917. The battle aimed to break through the German lines and seize key strategic ports on the Belgian coast, but ultimately resulted in only limited territorial gains at a staggering cost in human life.

The awarding of the battle honour "Passchendaele" recognizes the specific contributions and sacrifices made by participating units during this brutal campaign. Units that displayed exceptional courage, tenacity, and effectiveness in the face of extreme adversity were typically eligible to receive this honour.

The battle honour is typically displayed on regimental colours, guidons, and other ceremonial items, serving as a lasting symbol of the unit's history and the sacrifices of its members. The term also often serves as a synonym for the horrors and futility of trench warfare during World War I due to the immense suffering and relatively small strategic gains.