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www.southgatearc.org
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Special Event Station GB6PAS
The Bedford and District Amateur Radio Club decided to run this event between the 9th – 12th November 2006 to coincide with Veterans' Day and Armistice Day on November 11th 2006. The Battle of Passchendaele, fought July 1917, is sometimes called the Third Battle of Ypres. For the soldiers who fought at Passchendaele, it was known as the 'Battle of Mud'. The attack at Passchendaele was Sir Douglas Haig's attempt to break through Flanders. Haig had thought about a similar attack in 1916, but the Battle of the Somme occupied his time in that year. However, one year later, Haig felt able to launch such an attack. His main aim was a breakthrough to the coast of Belgium so that German submarine pens could be destroyed. Admiral Jellicoe had already advised both Haig and the British government that the loss of shipping (primarily merchant) could not be sustained and that Britain would face severe problems in 1918, if such losses continued. Haig's plan, to sweep through Flanders to the coast, did not receive support from Britain's Prime Minister, David Lloyd George, but as the Allies had no other credible plan, he gave his agreement for Haig to carry out his plan. However, the Third Battle of Ypres or Passchendaele had been a very costly battle. For the sake of a few kilometres, the British had lost 310,000 men and the Germans 260,000. The Club station will be holding a 2 minute silence at 11:00 GMT on the 11th November to remember all who lost their lives in conflict. We ask all stations on frequency at this time to join us, as no calls will be taken during the silence. |
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The
Bedford and District Amateur Radio Club will be running
the special event station GB6PAS from the 9th –
12th November 2006 in memory of all those who lost their lives in the
battle of Passchendaele in July 1917. 