Passchendaele

Passchendaele Cinema Poster Country Canada Directed by Paul Gross Release Date 2008 Language English German Studio Damberger Film & Cattle Rhombus Media Whizbang Films Distributor Alliance Films Main Cast Character Actor Michael Dunne Paul Gross Sarah Mann Caroline Dhavernas David Mann Joe Dinicol Pte. Highway Michael Greyeyes Pte. Godin Justin Michael Carriere Royster Gil Bellows

Passchendaele is a 2008 World War I film that is the brainchild of director/writer/star Paul Gross. Canada's first big budget war movie effort, the film follows Canadian Sergeant Michael Dunne (Paul Gross) of the 10th Battalion CEF during the Battle Of Passchendaele and while recruiting on the home front.

The following weapons were used in the film Passchendaele:

Allied Weapons

Handguns

Webley Mk.VI

The Webley Mk VI is carried by Canadian officers throughout the movie, although the Canadian Corps was actually issued the Smith & Wesson Mk.II Hand Ejector, and the first troops to arrive in France (which included the 10th Battalion) were issued Colt 1911s.

Webley Mk. VI .455 Webley

A 10th Battalion company commander takes cover with his Webley.

A 10th Battalion company commander shouts orders while carrying his Webley.

Rifles

Short Magazine Lee-Enfield (SMLE)

Most Canadian soldiers carry Lee-Enfield rifles, including Sgt. Dunne (Paul Gross), Pte. Highway (Michael Greyeyes) and Pte. Mann (Joe Dinicol).

Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III* - .303 British. This was the main battle rifle of British and Commonwealth forces during the First World War, introduced in 1907 it has seen action throughout the 20th century.

Sgt Dunne takes cover with his SMLE.

Pte Highway runs with his SMLE.

Sgt Dunne sets his SMLE to the side while using a McAllister trench periscope.

A 10th Battalion soldiers aims his SMLE.

Sgt. Dunne fixes a P'07 bayonet to his SMLE.

Sgt. Dunne cradles his SMLE.

Pte. Mann cradles his mud-covered SMLE at Passchendaele

A 10th Battalion soldier fires SMLE at Passchendaele. Note the ejected casing

An 8th Battalion soldier lies prone with his SMLE. Note that it's cocked. Also note the cocking piece is the later flat version, suggesting a Mk. III*, though the round knob could be found with or without the magazine cutoff.

Special - the 10th Battalion's deputy commander indicates a position with a .303 Mk.VII cartridge. This is an error, as at Passchendaele the Canadian Corps was still using the round-nosed Mk.VI round.

Machine Guns

Lewis Gun

The Lewis Gun is used by Canadian soldiers through the Passchendaele scenes, most noticeably Pte. Godin (Justin Michael Carriere).

Lewis gun .303

Pte. Godin carries his Lewis gun, demonstrating that the 30lb gun was light in relative terms only.

Pte. Godin tries to keep his Lewis gun above water.

A soldier from the 8th Battalion (Winnipeg Rifles) fires his Lewis gun.

Pte. Godin mans his Lewis gun while cursing in French. The movie never explains why a Quebecois is serving in an Albertan battalion.

Vickers MK1 Machine Gun

A Vickers MK1 Machine Gun is mounted on display at a recruiting tent in Calgary..

Vickers Mk1 Machine Gun

A Vickers gun on display outside of a recruiting tent in Calgary.

Other

Ordnance QF 18 Pdr

Fired at German lines at the opening of the Passchendaele attack.

Ordnance QF 18 Pounder

Ordnance QF 18 Pdrs prepare to open fire on the German positions.

No.36 Mills Bomb

Sgt. Dunne uses a Mills Bomb to kill the German machine gun crew.

Mills Bomb High-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenade

Sgt. Dunne prepares his Mills bomb - note that his fingers should be holding the safety lever.

German Weapons

Handguns

Mauser C/96 "Bolo Model"

A German Sergeant is seen with what appears to be a postwar Mauser C96 "Bolo" model.

Mauser C96 7.63x25mm Mauser - Short Barreled "Bolo" Model

The German Sergeant aims his Mauser pistol.

Pte. Mann is captured by the Mauser-carrying Sergeant

The German Sergeant fires his Mauser

Rifles

Turkish Mauser 1903

German soldiers throughout the Passchendaele battle carry Turkish Mauser 1903. According the movies' armorer, a supply of correct German Mauser Gewehr 1898 rifles was located for this film, but could not be imported in time and the Turkish model was substituted.

Turkish Mauser 1903 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

A German soldier advances with his Mauser

A German soldier aims his Mauser

Machine Guns

Maxim MG08

A German Maxim MG08 is seen placed in a shelled-out church at the beginning of the film.

Maxim MG08 7.92x57mm Mauser on sled mount

The German machine gun crew fires their Maxim

The German crew commander spots for targets.

Other

17 cm mittlerer Minenwerfer

Seen being fired at Canadian troops during the Passchendaele attack.

17 cm mittlerer Minenwerfer

German troops load the Minenwerfer.