Battle of Ypres, 1915 First battle for Canadians

(in Belgium) Chlorine gas was used for

the first time by the Germans even though gas was outlawed for military use since 1899

Despite the attack and gas, the Canadian line never broke

6700 Canadians killed, wounded, or captured

“There were about two hundred to three hundred men lying in that ditch. Some were clawing at their throats. Their brass buttons were green. Their bodies were swelled [….] Some of the Canadians were still writhing on the ground, their tongues hanging out.” – British private David Shand

Ypres – Alden NowlanSometimes I’m not even sure that I have a country. But I know they stood there at YpresThe first time the Germans used gas,That they were almost the only troopsIn that section of the frontWho did not break and run… And that’s ridiculous, too, and nothingOn which to found a country.

StillIt makes me feel good, knowingThat in some obscure, conclusive wayThey were connected with meAnd me with them.

The Battle of the Somme, 1916 Sir General Haig: commander of all Brit

forces in Fr (included Canadians) This battle was one of Haig’s disasters. July to Novemeber 1916 Canadian soldiers were ordered to

charge German machine gunners in broad daylight. If they succeeded they still had to deal with German bayonets and support trenches.

The Battle of the Somme, 1916 780 soldiers were from

Newfoundland’s regiment. 110 emerged unscathed.

Haig gained 8kms of mud. The CEF suffered 24,000 casualties. Allied losses numbered over 620,000

“tens of thousands of our men are lying low, never to rise again [….] As far as my eye takes me, I can see rows of dead [….] Have lost my old pals today”

VIMY RIDGE, 1917

“It was on Easter Monday, April 9, 1917, and not on any other date, that Canada became a nation.”

Germany captured Vimy Ridge early in the war and transformed it into a strong defensive position. Defended by highly trained soldiers

French and Britain tried to take the ridge back twice before. They were unable to do so in both occasions and suffered hundreds of thousands of casualties

JULIAN BYNG Commanding

officer Cared about his

men and did not want to see anyone die because of poor planning

Had the idea to give all soldiers maps

SIR ARTHUR CURRIE Canadian general

sent by Byng to learn all he could from the mistakes in the battles of 1916

Amazing detail and supremely organized. “Neglect nothing”

One of the greatest generals Canada has ever produced

ANDREW McNAUGHTON Invented “Sound

Ranging” to accurately pinpoint targets (prelude to “radar”)

This innovation allowed Canadians to knock out 85% of German artillery weapons before the battle at Vimy

8 NEW TACTICS

Buried commander cables Built railway system Counter Battery Sand maps Maps given to section level (40,000) Mobile machine gun platforms Leap frogging Rolling barrage

ROLLING BARRAGE

THE BATTLE

Began at 5:30am, April 9, 1917 Canadians captured most of the heavily

defended ridge by noon Hill 145, the highest point, fell the next

day. “The Pimple”, another elevated strong point, was captured two days later.

The allies now commanded the heights Approximately 10,000 lives lost

CANADIAN PRIDE

One of the most complete offensive victories up to that point of the war

Canadians became well known for their skills. The Germans would heavily prepare for an attack if they learned the Canadians were involved.

Sets up the momentum that carries Canadians troops to the end of the war