Final answer:
Germany attempted to capture Ypres three times during World War I, during the First, Second, and Third Battles of Ypres in 1914, 1915, and 1917. Despite initial successes and heavy casualties on both sides, German forces failed to secure Ypres and were eventually repelled, particularly after the American troops joined the Allies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ypres and German Offensives During World War:
Germany made repeated attempts to capture Ypres, a strategic Belgian city during World War I. Three major battles took place around Ypres, known as the First, Second, and Third Battles of Ypres, occurring in 1914, 1915, and 1917 respectively. Despite the immense loss of life, including many battles where hundreds of thousands of soldiers were killed or injured, the German forces failed to secure a decisive victory and ultimately did not take Ypres.
The sheer carnage of these offensives is a stark example of the war of attrition characterizing the Western Front where both sides sustained massive casualties while gaining little ground. This included campaigns like the Kaiserschlacht (Spring Offensive) in 1918, where German forces, though initially successful, failed to break through and were eventually pushed back. The entering of American troops on the side of the Allies and subsequent counteroffensives further sealed Germany's inability to maintain their positions. The eventual exhaustion of the German military contributed to their defeat, culminating in the Armistice of November 11, 1918.