Battles on the Western Front World War I Social Studies 11

Battles important in the Canadian effort: Ypres Verdun The Somme Vimy Ridge Passchendaele

The Battle of Ypres April 1915

Ypres

The Battle of Ypres was the first time Canadians fought in the trenches during the war. French and Canadian troops were defending Ypres from the Germans. Ypres marked the first use of poisonous gas in history. The Germans used chlorine gas against the Allies. Without gas masks, the French and Algerians were forced to retreat, choking, gasping, and dying as the chlorine affected their lungs. 6000 Canadians died before reinforcements arrived. After a week of fierce fighting, the German advance was brought to a halt. The famous poem, ‘In Flanders Fields’ by John McRae (from Guelph, Ontario) was written after this battle, in memory of a friend of his who had been killed

The Ypres gas attack - photo taken from the air

The Battle of Verdun February 1916

Verdun

Canadians did not fight in the Battle of Verdun, but… This was one of the defining battles of World War I Germany attacked France at Verdun. The battle lasted 6 months and cost the French 500,000 men. The battle was one intended as a battle of attrition; that is, the German strategy was to wear down the French until they gave up this portion of the Western Front. Some say the French never did recover psychologically from this battle.

A trench in the Battle of Verdun

The Battle of the Somme July 1916 Horses carrying artillery shells at the Somme

Somme

The Battle of the Somme was another (along with Verdun) of the defining battles of World War I. While Germany was busy at Verdun, Allied commanders tried to end trench warfare with a large attack on the German trenches at the Somme. This attack was not successful.

+20,000 Canadian soldiers died at the Somme. The Newfoundland Regiment suffered 90% casualties, and every one of the regiment’s officers was killed or wounded. The battle lasted 5 months. By the end of the Battle of the Somme, the casualties for both sides had reached 1.25 million.

Why was the Battle of the Somme such a disaster? Allied shells were too weak to destroy German bunkers buried underground. Underground explosions did not dislodge the wire protecting German trenches; Allied troops consequently became trapped. Allied troops had to carry too much gear - 25-60 kilograms of it. Allies lost the element of surprise when a mine was detonated 10 minutes before the Allies were set to attack the Germans. …continued on next page…

The attack occurred in broad daylight and was delayed. Despite heavy casualties, the attack was ordered to continue. 23 Canadian men were ordered “shot at dawn” because they could not or would not return to the front. Men who suffered from shell-shock faced court martial and then firing squad.

An aerial view of the Battle of the Somme

The Battle of Vimy Ridge April 1917

Vimy

Vimy Ridge had fallen into German hands in October 1914. The ridge was strategically important because it linked the Germans’ new Hindenburg Line to their main trench lines leading north from Hill 70 near Arras, France. For the next two years, Allied armies tried to regain the ridge. In April 1917 Canadian troops attacked the Germans at the Battle of Vimy Ridge, after 150,000 British and French troops had already died trying to regain it. The Canadians achieved a magnificent victory, sweeping the Germans off the ridge.

What was the significance of the Battle of Vimy Ridge for Canada? It was the first time that Canadian units fought together as one, independent of British forces. The victory came to symbolize Canada’s independence and nationhood. Canadians were soon recognized as among the best troops on the Western Front. In June 1917 Canadian General Arthur Currie replaced British General Byng as commander of the Canadians troops.

Canadians prepared thoroughly for the attack and practised over and over. 3500 Canadians were killed and 7000 injured. Canadians successfully captured Vimy Ridge, making this a turning point in the war.

Shell holes at Vimy

The Canadian victory at Vimy Ridge

An artist’s perspective on the Battle at Vimy Ridge

The Battle of Passchendaele October 1917

In October 1917 Canadian troops were asked to attack the Germans at Passchendaele in Belgium. General Currie advised that the town could not be taken because troops could not move through the mud. General Currie was overruled, and the Canadians were sent in.

Canadians were successful in taking the town of Passchendaele from the Germans and in holding it until reinforcements came. 16,000 Canadians died in this battle, 1 in every 5. 9 Victoria Crosses were awarded to Canadians after the battle. The battle gained only 5 kilometers of mud that the Germans soon won back.

A trench system at Passchendaele

British artist John Nash painted this painting, called ‘Over the Top’, in 1918