Canada at War World War I

The Beginning Canada was automatically at war when Britain declared war (August 5th) GG declared a state of war on August 5th The nature of Canada’s contribution was her decision English-speaking (New vs Old) rallied quickly to enlist French-speaking, as indicated by Laurier, saw the need for support for the Empire but not for enlisting

The Contribution Between 500 and 600,000 soldiers served ~ 65,000 military died and ~2,000 civilians died (Halifax Explosion Dec., 1917 killed 1900+ civilians) Cemeteries are maintained by the War Graves Commission Approximately 150,000 injured The population of Canada in 1918 was ~8,000,000

Major Canadian Battles The following are in chronological order. Remember the sequence – the years may be useful but work on the order. Ypres (1915) Somme (1916 – 3 ½ months) Vimy Ridge (1917) Passchendaele (1917) The Last Hundred Days Cdn victories at Arras, Cambrai, Valenciennes and others

Individual Battles - Ypres 1915 First major Cdn battle – had fought earlier (Neuve–Chapelle) Major defensive battle as a result of the use of chlorine gas Algerians (comment) fled leaving a 4 mile gap – counterattacks by Cdns prevented German advance Beginning of the Cdn reputation as a fighting force

Individual Battles - Somme 1916 (the Germans had the French involved heavily in the Battle of Verdun) (600,000+ casualties; 200,000+ dead) A classic example of doing what was wrong – frontal assault to destroy the enemy (57,000 British casualties on Day 1) (Nfld Regiment lost 2/3rds of its strength in 1 hour – July 1st) (“68”) The Cdns arrived in Sept and took on some of the toughest tasks (Regina Trench – couldn’t be taken – took it) Earned the reputation as shock troops

The Somme (cont’d) "The Canadians," wrote Lloyd George, "played a part of such distinction that thenceforward they were marked out as storm troops; for the remainder of the war they were brought along to head the assault in one great battle after another. Whenever the Germans found the Canadian Corps coming into the line they prepared for the worst."

Individual Battles – Vimy Ridge 1917 – assault began on Easter Monday Cdns were led by Byng (Later GG in the Byng-King Crisis) Vimy had been previously attacked by the French and the British – they could not take it Cdns took it in a matter of days – success mostly within hours Gained more ground, more guns, and more prisoners than any previous British offensive Intense preparation by Byng Preparation of troops was uncommon if not unheard of --- after the victory “C'est impossible! Ah, les Canadiens! C'est possible!” - French soldier on learning of the victory at Vimy Ridge

Vimy Ridge (cont’d) The 100 hectares around the Vimy Ridge memorial was given to Canada by the people of France in gratitude for Cdn sacrifices For the first time on the Western Front all four Cdn Divisions fought together “It was Canada from the Atlantic to the Pacific on parade. I thought then … that in those few minutes I witnessed the birth of a nation.” - Brigadier Alexander Ross

Vimy Ridge (cont’d) Vimy Ridge to Canadians is often seen as the birth of a national identity and of nationhood The battle’s significance comes from this interpretation (developed over time). It cannot be described as the most significant of battles from a Cdn standpoint of military significance. To others, the battle was merely a part of the larger Battle of Arras (Vimy Ridge area)

Passchendaele 1917 Rationale – loss of British merchant shipping could not be continued Intention was to destroy the submarine bases on the Belgium coast Also know as the Third Battle of Ypres or the Battle of Mud Arthur Currie (Cdn) in command of Cdn troops – first time

Passchendaele (cont’d) Battle lasted for several months – Cdns became involved in October (after about 3 months of inconclusive fighting) Currie resisted Cdn involvement – arguing that little would be gained at the expense of ~16,000 casualties Little was gained – casualties were 15,000+

The Last Hundred Days Cdns fought in a series of battles from Amiens to Mons (Arras, Cambrai and Valenciennes are often highlighted) Germans were deliberately mislead about the operation by keeping the location of the Cdns a secret (the Germans expected trouble when the Cdns were set up as shock troops to lead an advance) Attack was dramatically successful and then the Cdns were pulled back for the Arras attack

100 Days (cont’d) The Cdns broke the Hindenburg Line a second time at the Battle of Cambrai In the last 30 days the Cdns pursued the Germans in a series of running battles through to Mons (Nov. 11th & 12th) Much of the significance (do some reading) of this series of battles is in the use of Cdns as shock troops, improved technology, tactics, engineering, specialized troops, etc.

                     Canadian troops shelter in a ditch along the Arras-Cambrai road.