Timeline - Passchendaele

	October 26, 1917 3rd Division The front of the Canadian Corps is split by an impassable morass that had been the valley of the Ravebeek River, and so it launches a two-pronged attack up the drier spurs of the ridge. The 3rd Division is to attack the Bellevue Spur on the north ridge and advance 1,200 metres toward Passchendaele. The attack occurs at 5:40 a.m. As the 3rd Division advance along the Gravenstafel Passchendaele road, it captures the frontline Germans positions and moves steadily forward. The Germans quickly retaliate with massive shelling and force the Canadians back. They are only able to hold the Bellevue Spur because of individual feats of bravery. They do not meet their objective, but at Passchendaele any gains are good.


		As we worked [to secure our positions] the Hun began to shell our position with "whizzbangs," and some of the men grew panicky. Captain Arthur climbed through the mud from group to group speaking to the fellows reassuringly. Tommy and I were digging together and watched him come near us. Dykes was working just a few feet from us. He straightened to say something to us, and the next instant a shell cut the top of his head away, leaving but the jaw and neck. The body rocked a moment and then toppled backward. Arthur saluted as he passed.

		Will Bird, author of Ghosts Have Warm Hands

		Lieutenant Robert Shankland of the 43rd Battalion lead a group of soldiers in safeguarding their position on the Bellevue Spur on October 26, thus enabling reinforcements to arrive and save the Canadian gains. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his courage on the Bellevue Spur that day.
		Major C.P. J. O'Kelly, MC of the 52nd Battalion, captured 100 prisoners and destroyed six pillboxes during the attack of October 26. He was awarded the Victoria Cross.
		Private Tommy Holmes of the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles saved a desperate situation when his unit was pinned down by heavy German machine-gun fire during the battle of October 26. He single-handedly knocked out two machine guns and captured a pillbox and 19 German prisoners, opening the way for his battalion to advance. Holmes received a Victoria Cross for his efforts.