Today in History: New Zealand’s ‘Blackest Day’ in Passchendaele

On this day in 1917, New Zealanders took part in a disastrous attack at Passchendaele that, for no ground gained, totalled nearly 3300 casualties, of which nearly one-third (some 1200) had been killed.

 

More New Zealanders were killed on this cold Belgian morning of fighting than on any other day since the beginning of New Zealand’s European settlement. It took a further three days to clear the New Zealand wounded from the muddy battlefield.