I mentioned in a post the other day that American surgeon Dr. Robert D. Schrock worked for several weeks in the hospitals during the Battle of Passchendaele, or Third Ypres. Schrock and his colleagues were still at Governors Island at this point 100 years ago, but the Battle of Passchendaele began on 31 July 1917. It lasted well into November. It may be difficult for Americans to grasp the significance that the battles in Flanders have for the people of Great Britain, along with the Canadians, Aussies, and others who fought alongside them. It is analogous to Antietam and Gettysburg for Americans. I was watching some of the footage over the weekend and saw that Prince William and his wife attended the ceremonies in Flanders; today his father Prince Charles will be present. My brother took me to Belgian about ten years ago. We went to Cloth Hall and stayed not far from the Menin Gate. Britain’s Ministry of Defence made this short video to mark the 100th anniversary of the battle.
The Strawfoot 
Yes war is hell some 22 years later another waste of life it was a war that had to be fought but the Great War was said to be the end to wars we in America had our sad loss of youth North or South it was our Civil War our Third Ypres.
Management of the wounded did improve. In 1915 a thigh wound meant 100% mortality but with stretcher bearers learning to splint and dress these wounds during 1917, mortality was lowered to 30 % It was a combined effort of the American, British, and French medical corps.
Another great learning opportunity from Keith M.! The short video was fascinating. I had read about the mud battle, but not seen photos.