Page "Battle of Passchendaele" Paragraph 16

On 1 May 1917, Haig wrote that the Arras and Nivelle Offensives had weakened the German army but that a decisive blow would be premature.

An offensive at Ypres would continue the wearing-out process, on a front where the Germans could not refuse to fight.

Even a partial success would improve the tactical situation in the Ypres salient, reducing the exceptional " wastage " which occurred even in quiet periods.

In early May Haig set the timetable for his Flanders offensive, with 7 June the date for the preliminary attack on Messines Ridge.

A week after Messines Ridge Haig gave his objectives to his Army commanders: wearing out the enemy, securing the Belgian coast and connecting with the Dutch frontier by the capture of Passchendaele Ridge, followed by an advance on Roulers and Operation Hush, an attack along the coast with an amphibious landing and that if the manpower and artillery were insufficient, only the first part of the plan might be fulfilled.

Haig told General Gough of the Fifth Army that he would command of the ' northern operation ' and the coastal force on 30 April 1917.

Cabinet approval for the offensive was not granted until 21 June.

and the approval of the British Cabinet.