The battle for Passchendaele was the greatest military disaster New Zealand forces ever faced. The loss of over 1,200 lives in just a few short hours on 12 October 1917 marked a pivotal time for the New Zealand army. The soldiers were demoralised almost to the point of no return. Yet they did not give up. They retreated, rested and reinforced. And in March 1918 they returned to face their foe.
The Spring Offensive turned out to be the greatest military victory of New Zealand's history. Political dissent had resulted in the Allied lines being stretched beyond their limit. Meanwhile, the Germans were planning their most ambitious assault of the war, the Michael Offensive.
An avalanche of armoury poured out of the sky, punching huge holes in the Allied defence. Stormtroopers rushed through in an unprecedented artillery attack. When the dust settled, the Allies were staring at Teutonic future. All that saved them was the bravery of the New Zealand reinforcements.
