A successful British divisional assault during the Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, capturing key German strongpoints on Gravenstafel Spur and taking 301 prisoners and fifty machine-guns.
Key Facts
- Date
- 20 September 1917
- Prisoners taken
- 301 prisoners
- Machine-guns captured
- 50 machine-guns
- Division objective distance
- 1,000 yards
- Counter-attack casualties
- Up to 50% in some battalions
- Parent battle
- Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele)
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Since 31 July 1917, multiple British attacks near Wurst Farm on the Gravenstafel Spur had been repulsed by the German 36th Division. To overcome these defences, the British began a desultory bombardment on 31 August, intensifying from 13 September, with gas shell barrages on German reinforcement routes intended to depress enemy morale and weaken resistance ahead of a major assault.
On 20 September 1917, the British 58th (2/1st London) Division, under Major-General Hew Fanshawe and XVIII Corps, executed a deceptive attack near Ypres. A right-flank feint captured Winnipeg crossroads while the main assault, concealed by mist and smoke, advanced through Hubner Farm. Two battalions then leap-frogged forward and turned right along the spur, closely following the creeping barrage to seize Wurst Farm and its surrounding German strongpoints.
The British captured 301 prisoners and fifty machine-guns and established outposts overlooking the Stroombeek valley. A German counter-attack by the 234th Division that afternoon was repulsed with up to 50 per cent casualties in some battalions. On 26 September, the 58th Division advanced further up the ridge, consolidating the gains made during the Battle of the Menin Road Ridge.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Hew Fanshawe (Major-General, 58th Division), Ivor Maxse (Lieutenant-General, XVIII Corps), Hubert Gough (General, Fifth Army).
Side B
1 belligerent