The Third Battle of Ypres, also known as the Battle of Passchendaele, took place from July 31 to November 10, 1917, during World War I. It was fought between the Allied Forces, primarily the British Empire, and the German Army. The main objective was to capture the ridges around the town of Ypres in Belgium to gain control of the German submarine bases along the coast. The battle is infamous for its horrific conditions, including heavy rain that turned the battlefield into a quagmire. Despite initial gains, the Allies faced fierce resistance and suffered significant casualties, with estimates of over 500,000 men lost. The battle ultimately resulted in a small territorial gain but at a high cost, highlighting the brutal nature of trench warfare.