In 1917 the peoples of the world were at each other’s throats. The British Empire and the French Republic fought side by side, supported by the Belgians. These were multi-ethnic empires, aided by their colonies and overseas territories. The Irish, Australians, New Zealanders, Canadians and South Africans of European extraction were joined by members of the Canadian First nations, Australian Aboriginals, New Zealand Māori and soldiers of British and French colonies in the Caribbean, Africa and Asia. A comparable situation existed on the German side; many Danish and Polish men were drafted in the German army. The immense human toll of the Battle of Passchendaele had worldwide consequences that reverberated for many years. Passchendaele became an international symbol of the cruelty and futility of total war. To this day the battle is integral to the identity of many countries and communities.