Capture of Messines
In preparation for the Passchendaele offensive, the Allies first needed to rid Messines ridge and village of German forces. Failure to do so would have allowed the Germans to observe preparations of the up-coming major offensive. The NZ Division was among those selected to capture Messines and had achieved their objective with 3700 casualties including 700 dead.
Read more about the battle for Messines
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Advanced dressing station, Messines,1914-1918,PH-RESOS-45, Auckland War Memorial Museum