Battle of Messines

7 June 1917

Army medics near a hole surrounded by debris. A solider lies on a stretcher nearby
Advanced dressing station at Messines (Alexander Turnbull Library, 1/2-012773-G)

The Battle of Messines during the First World War was a prelude to the much larger Third Battle of Ypres − better known as Passchendaele − which began on 31 July 1917.

In contrast to the eventual disaster at Passchendaele, the carefully prepared attack on Messines was a striking success. At 3.10 a.m. on 7 June, huge mines that had been placed under the German lines by hard-working tunnellers exploded. Almost immediately, New Zealand troops of the 2nd and 3rd (Rifle) Brigades left their trenches and advanced towards the ridge in front of them, on which lay the ruins of Messines village. Australian and British troops moved forward on their flanks.

The New Zealanders paid a heavy price for success: by the time the New Zealand Division was withdrawn on 9 June, it had suffered 3700 casualties, 700 of them fatal. Read more ...

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AnonymousDaniel Rae

Posted: 29 Aug 2023

Mt father George Cockburn Rae was badly wounded 10am 8th June 1917 at Messines. He suffered all the rest of his life as a result. Apparently he had 64 open wounds when admitted to Brockenhurst Hospital. D R