Canada at War in the Air and At Sea ( )

Sam Hughes Didn’t like airplanes – he didn’t think they would ever be an effective means of warDidn’t like airplanes – he didn’t think they would ever be an effective means of war “The airplane … will never play any part in such a serious business as the defence of a nation.”“The airplane … will never play any part in such a serious business as the defence of a nation.”

British Royal Flying Corps No Canadian AirforceNo Canadian Airforce Canadians joined the BRFC, it was better than the trenches (food, pay, glory)Canadians joined the BRFC, it was better than the trenches (food, pay, glory) Flying Coffins!!!!Flying Coffins!!!! Canadians had a good reputationCanadians had a good reputation

Types of Planes/Balloons Observation Balloons were used on both sidesObservation Balloons were used on both sides

1915 Fokker – German

Fokker Eindecker

WAR in the AIR Fokker planeFokker plane Designed by a Dutch airplane builder Anthony Herman Gerard FokkerDesigned by a Dutch airplane builder Anthony Herman Gerard Fokker Used by the Germans in WWIUsed by the Germans in WWI

1917 Sopwith Camel – British

Both sides used homemade bombs to drop on the enemy!

DOG FIGHTS! Started with handgunsStarted with handguns Advanced to machine gunsAdvanced to machine guns You had to get behind your enemy and shoot them downYou had to get behind your enemy and shoot them down YOU DID NOT HAVE A PARACHUTE!!YOU DID NOT HAVE A PARACHUTE!!

Air Aces An Air Ace shot down at least five enemy planesAn Air Ace shot down at least five enemy planes

An air ace, a flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator/pilot credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat.An air ace, a flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator/pilot credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of air victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or moreThe actual number of air victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more Canada had a group of Canadian flyers/fighter pilots called the Black FlightCanada had a group of Canadian flyers/fighter pilots called the Black Flight Average life expectancy of an air fighter was 11 days.Average life expectancy of an air fighter was 11 days.

“The Red Baron” Germany’s Manfred Von RichthofenGermany’s Manfred Von Richthofen 80 confirmed kills80 confirmed kills DLaG7SM

Germany’s Red Baron Manfred von Richthofen He was a German fighter pilot with the Imperial German Army Air Service during WWI. considered the ace-of-aces of that war as he was officially credited with 80 air combat victories victories, more than any other pilot. There are many stories and theories about the red baron’s death, but Canadian novice pilot Wilfrid “Wop” May and Roy Brown essentially took him down together.

Canada’s Air Aces Above a picture of the Triplane that Collishaw would have used – painted jet black. The members of the Squadron 10 also named their planes, Black Maria, Black Roger, Black Death, Black sheep and Black Prince. Ray Collishaw Billy Bishop

Canada’s top AceCanada’s top Ace 72 confirmed kills72 confirmed kills

BILLY BISHOP Left Royal Military College in Kingston, ON when the war broke out in 1914 and joined Mississauga Horse Calvary Unit, and the Mounted Infantry Unit in London, ON.Left Royal Military College in Kingston, ON when the war broke out in 1914 and joined Mississauga Horse Calvary Unit, and the Mounted Infantry Unit in London, ON. He showed natural ability with a gun and excelled on the firing range. Some said he had “super-human” eyesight – able to hit targets so far away that others only saw a dot.He showed natural ability with a gun and excelled on the firing range. Some said he had “super-human” eyesight – able to hit targets so far away that others only saw a dot. Bishop quickly became frustrated with the mud of the trenches and the lack of action.Bishop quickly became frustrated with the mud of the trenches and the lack of action. In July 1915, after watching an Royal Flying Corps (RFC) aircraft return from a mission, Bishop said, "...it's clean up there! I'll bet you don't get any mud or horsesh*t on you up there. If you die, at least it would be a clean death."In July 1915, after watching an Royal Flying Corps (RFC) aircraft return from a mission, Bishop said, "...it's clean up there! I'll bet you don't get any mud or horsesh*t on you up there. If you die, at least it would be a clean death."

Billy Bishop Shot down 5 enemies in a month from March 17–April 8,1917.Shot down 5 enemies in a month from March 17–April 8,1917. Painted the nose of his aircraft blue (the mark of an ace) to celebratePainted the nose of his aircraft blue (the mark of an ace) to celebrate Became known to the Germans as “Hell’s Handmaiden”Became known to the Germans as “Hell’s Handmaiden” Bounty was placed on his headBounty was placed on his head Won a Military Cross for claiming 12 enemies in the month of April aloneWon a Military Cross for claiming 12 enemies in the month of April alone Mechanic counted 210 bullet holes in his plane after one of his patrolsMechanic counted 210 bullet holes in his plane after one of his patrols Won a Distinguished Service Order for shooting down two enemy aircraft while being attacked by four othersWon a Distinguished Service Order for shooting down two enemy aircraft while being attacked by four others Also won a Victory Cross for his attack on the German aerodrome in June 1917Also won a Victory Cross for his attack on the German aerodrome in June 1917

Blood in the Air

War at Sea

Britain vs. Germany Main naval rivalry was between Germany and BritainMain naval rivalry was between Germany and Britain Germans used submarines (U-Boats) to attack any ships heading to BritainGermans used submarines (U-Boats) to attack any ships heading to Britain Britain developed Q-ships to find and destroy U-Boats (Unterseeboot) ~underseaBritain developed Q-ships to find and destroy U-Boats (Unterseeboot) ~undersea Blockade of GermanyBlockade of Germany

U-Boats (Germany) SubmarinesSubmarines Sank supply ships & Navy vessels sent to destroy themSank supply ships & Navy vessels sent to destroy them

Unrestricted Warfare German sink any ship approaching Britain (1917)German sink any ship approaching Britain (1917) Attempt to cut off suppliesAttempt to cut off supplies 1000 ships in 4 months1000 ships in 4 months Some ships were AmericanSome ships were American U.S. finally entered the war in 1917U.S. finally entered the war in 1917

Lusitania (1915) British Luxury linerBritish Luxury liner 1158 Dead1158 Dead 128 were Americans128 were Americans U.S.A. were very upsetU.S.A. were very upset

Discussion Question Was it fair that the Germans torpedoed the Lusitania? i/lusitania

How would the Allies protect their merchant ships from being destroyed by the Germans?

Convoy Cargo ships sailed together and were escorted by destroyersCargo ships sailed together and were escorted by destroyers

Convoy

Canada’s Navy 2 Warships at the start of the war2 Warships at the start of the war Yachts & other ships were bought and armed for serviceYachts & other ships were bought and armed for service Escorted Convoys & protected Canada’s east coastEscorted Convoys & protected Canada’s east coast 112 real warships by the end of the war112 real warships by the end of the war

WAR AT SEA At the beginning of WWI, Canada had 2 midsized warshipsAt the beginning of WWI, Canada had 2 midsized warships 1) the Niobe 2) the Rainbow

HMCS NIOBE Armed with guns to fight other ships and covering the small boats alongside the HMCS Niobe was part of Canada's response to Britain's request for naval support.Armed with guns to fight other ships and covering the small boats alongside the HMCS Niobe was part of Canada's response to Britain's request for naval support. Niobe transfer from Britain as a training ship for Canada's new navyNiobe transfer from Britain as a training ship for Canada's new navy

HMCS Rainbow When war was declared on 4 August, 1914, HMCS Rainbow was already on its way to Mexico with orders to seek and destroy a pair of armed and aggressive German cruisers. Despite her lack of guns and armour, Rainbow was expected to outface the heavier ships and big guns of the enemy and escort the vulnerable British vessels safe back to their base.

Halifax Explosion December 6, 1917 Two ships collided in Halifax harbour The Mont Blanc was loaded with explosives Everything in a 5 square km zone was destroyed Part of the 2 ton anchor of the ship was found 4km away Over 2000 people died; 9000 people were injured 10,000 people were homeless and that night there was a blizzard and -8 C temperatures Relief supplies flooded in from other countries This was the biggest man-made explosion in the world to this time

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?v=YMo0X-V6m54 Killers of the sea