7/10/2016 Chapter 2

War in the Air As war in the air developed, pilots became known as “Knights of the Air” Pilots aimed their planes at enemy planes to shoot them down with machine guns in “dogfights” Some became famous, such as Germany’s Manfred von Richtofen, known as the “Red Baron”, who shot down 80 planes Billy Bishop was Canada’s most famous “ace” who was credited with shooting down 72 enemy planes, for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross & other medals Eddie Rickenbacker was the top American ace

Pilots called their planes “flying coffins” because the average lifespan of a pilot was only 3 weeks, while some pilots were killed on their first mission Canadian Roy Brown (from Carleton Place, just outside of Ottawa) shot down the Red Baron in 1918, although Australian soldiers on the ground claim to have shot him down as well Billy Barker, Raymond Collishaw & Wilfrid “Wop” May were 3 other notable Canadian pilots

The Silver Dart, the first airplane to fly in the British Empire in Baddeck, Nova Scotia in 1909. Designed by Alexander Graham Bell and flown by pilot J.A.D. McCurdy, it was very primitive compared to aircraft in the war only 5 years later.

Billy Bishop, the top Canadian “ace” pilot, who shot down 72 enemy airplanes, for which he received the Victoria Cross, Distinguished Service Order with Bar, Military Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, 1914–1915 Star, British War Medal 1914–1920.

Billy Bishop and a Nieuport 17 fighter in Filescamp, France.

Canadian aerial reconnaissance airplane.

An artist’s rendition of the Red Baron shooting down a Sopwith Camel.

The War at Sea Some Canadians served in the British Royal Navy but almost 10,000 others served in Canada’s Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), which had been created in 1910 The RCN started the war with 2 ships (HMCS Rainbow & HMCS Niobe), but by the war’s end had 112 ships Canada’s main naval role was to send convoys of ships with supplies of troops, food, & munitions to Europe

HMCS Rainbow – Canada's first Navy warship HMS Rainbow was presented to Canada in 1910, & was recommissioned HMCS Rainbow on 4 August She & HMS Niobe were purchased from the Admiralty to be used as training ships at Royal Naval College of Canada in Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada paid $225 000 to acquire Rainbow After commissioning, Rainbow was assigned to the west coast of Canada on 7 November 1910

Submarine warfare Germany concentrated on submarine warfare for the rest of the war, using torpedoes to sink any ships with supplies headed for Britain, while Britain blockaded the German fleet, which did not leave port for the rest of the war

The Home Front page 41 Figure 2–21

In which year were Canadian exports to Britain the highest? How significant were the increases in 1916? Why did some exports decrease in 1918?

Answer: Canadian exports to Britain were highest for most products in 1917 (agricultural and animal exports were highest in 1918). Agricultural and animal products significantly increased in 1916 as Britain and her allies needed more food and other supplies. Some exports decreased in 1918 with the end of the war as armies were demobilized.

Supporting the war effort Pg. 41

The Halifax Explosion On 6 December 1917 the Mont Blanc, a French freighter, collided with the Imo, a Norwegian ship, in Halifax harbour The Mont Blanc, carrying explosive cargo, caught fire The burning vessel drifted towards the Halifax docks, where a crowd of gathered At 9:05 a.m. Mont Blanc exploded; her anchor was found 5 km. away The Imo captain, pilot & 5 crew members were killed Over 2,000 people died & 9,000 were injured in the biggest man-made explosion the world had ever known Another 20,000 were maimed or blinded 12,000 homes damaged or destroyed left people homeless To make matters worse, a fierce blizzard hit

Map showing the location of the explosion Map showing the location of the explosion. Inset: the Norwegian vessel Imo on the Dartmouth Shore. This picture was taken 20 km. away from Halifax.

Read Conscription Crisis pg.45-47 for Tuesday

Chapter 2 worksheet is due on 12th October Follow the class website: www.canadahistory10.weebly.com