Important Canadian Battles

Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) Canada did not have its own military at the beginning of WWI, but were considered part of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) / Army Therefore, Canadians were under British Command and rules The Canadian Branch was called the CEF

Canadian Timeline Oct. 14, 1914 - First contingent of the Canadian Expeditionary Force arrives in the UK. April 24, 1915 - Poison gas first used against Canadians at St. Julien. May 8, 1915 - Lt.-Col. John McCrae writes "In Flanders Fields." July 1, 1916 - Royal Newfoundland Regiment takes heavy casualties in the Battle of the Somme.

Canadian Timeline Cont April 9, 1917 - Battle of Vimy Ridge begins. Aug. 29, 1917 - Conscription becomes law in Canada. Dec. 6, 1917 - Halifax explosion. Aug. 8,1918 - Battle of Amiens. The period that came to be known as "Canada's Hundred Days" begins

Map of the Western Front http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/western_front_1918.jpg

Second Battle of Ypres (1915) Canada’s first taste of trench warfare Canada was defending Ypres with the French. They retreated when the Germans used chlorine gas against them – first poison gas attack in history 6000 Canadians lost their lives John McCrae wrote “In Flanders Fields” about the battle of Ypres

Ypres

Ypres The gas destroyed the lungs of the fleeing soldiers. They died of asphyxiation. 5 000 died in 10mins. Anti-gas respirators were created to ward off this attack

Gas Attack http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g24GtNYJbzU

The Battle of the Somme (July, 1916) General Douglas Haig Veteran officer - Cavalry warfare. Insisted on old strategies not suitable for trench warfare. “Bloodbath” attempt to end trench warfare with a massive attack on German forces attack was unsuccessful – 20,000 Canadian soldiers lost their lives Newfoundland Regiment suffered 90% casualties (only 68 of 700 survived) – every officer killed or hurt

“Over the top” He sent wave upon wave of troops “over the top” and into enemy machine gun fire. Canada sustained heavy losses - Nearly 85% of the Royal NFL Regiment. More than 700 men were killed or wounded within 30 mins. 58 000 BR troops killed in 1st day.

The Battle of the Somme cont… The battle ended 5 months later. Total of 1 million troops dead from both sides. 24 000 Canadians were among the casualties. Many more suffered from psychological damage; shell shock

Somme

Somme

Vimy Ridge (April, 1917) VIMY = VICTORY!!! Canadians attack Germans 3 weeks of bombing preceded the attack to weaken the German defences Attack was well planned and practiced 3598 Canadians killed and 10,000 injured 20,000 Germans killed Canadian forces were successful in capturing Vimy Ridge Key moment in Canadian independence and creation of Canadian identity British no longer in command Canadian forces

Late 1916, CAN troops chosen to attempt a 4th attack. Led by BR officer General Julian Byng. Trained the troops and created a series of strategies for attack. They rehearsed the movements until they were carried out nearly perfect.

They attacked from the West side of the ridge for nearly a month. While that was going on Canadian engineers - sapper’s- built tunnels to move troops secretly to front positions. April 9th, moved into position. The fought with precision and bravery: reached first objective in less than 2 hours.

Vimy

The Battle of Vimy Ridge

The Battle of Passchendaele (October, 1917) - Allied forces get bogged down in muddy conditions – many drowned in mud - Canadians asked to attack Germans – could not move in mud - General Currie (CAN) initially refused but was overruled - Canadians ordered to attack. Took the town and held it until reinforcements arrived - Only one out of every 5 Canadians survived - 16 000 Canadians died to take on 7km of land

Australian soldiers walking on duck-boards at Passchendaele

Passchendaele

Passchendaele

The War On The Eastern Front Germany was successful in defeating Russia in a number of battles Germany had to transfer troops from the Western front in order to defeat Russia The Gallipoli Campaign (April 1915- December 1915)- Poorly planned attack for the allies who wanted control of the Gallipoli peninsula.

Eastern Front

War in the Air Canadians who wanted to fly joined the British Corps Aerial duels between enemy pilots were called “dogfights” Canada’s wartime hero Billy Bishop was awarded with the Victoria Cross as he had shot down 72 enemy planes

War at Sea Naval race between Britain and Germany prior to WWI German U-boats- attacked British ships with torpedoes in order to cut off supplies being shipped to Britain Convoy

Convoy System The Convoy system was designed to protect Allied Ships from German U-boats Supply ships were escorted by armed destroyers that surrounded the Merchant Marines’ ships Effectively ended the threat of German U-boats isolationism

Lusitania 1915, the British passenger ship Lusitania was sunk killing almost 2000 people (including some Americans) Contributed to Americans deciding to join war on Britain’s side in 1917

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk The Last 100 Days Treaty of Brest-Litovsk due to the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia (1917), Russia signed this peace agreement with Germany, taking them out of the war, and allowing Germany to fight a one-front war Despite losing Russia, the allies remained strong due to the USA joining the war in April, 1917

The Last 100 Days cont’ 100 Days was the allied effort that finally broke the German military Canadians were at the forefront of the Allied advance

The END & After November 11, 1918 Germany formally surrendered with the signing of an armistice (an agreement amongst warring countries to stop fighting and move to a peace conference). Paris Peace Conference & Treaty of Versailles (1919)                                                                     Place de la Concorde, November 11, 1918

Paris Peace Conference & Treaty of Versailles (1919) IMPORTANT STEP IN CANADIAN INDEPENDENCE AND IDENTITY Prime Minister Borden insisted that Canada have its own seat at the Conference, and sign the Treaty separately from Britain

Treaty of Versailles Allied powers (Britain, France, the USA and Canada) met at the Paris Peace Conference to decide on the fate of the defeated countries (Germany and Austria-Hungary) Wilson’s 14 Points US President Woodrow Wilson developed 14 points as a basis for a lasting peace Idea of League of Nations (international organization)

Versailles cont’ War Guilt Clause Stated that Germany alone must accept responsibility for causing the war Included to justify the punishments that the allies wanted to inflict against Germany, including paying reparations (money) for damages (mostly to France) Caused the German people to protest, and the German Chancellor to resign Protest in Germany vs. War Guilt Clause In part a future cause of World War II – German people angry and humiliated, and Hitler used this to appeal to them to help him overthrow the German government

Versailles Summary War Guilt Clause Alsace-Lorraine returned to France Poland given access to Sea – “Polish Corridor” All Central Powers’ colonies surrendered to League of Nations German army limited to 100,000 men; navy and air force restricted in size

Versailles Summary Germany forced to surrender its entire merchant fleet as compensation to Allies for shipping loses in war West bank of Rhine River Valley (on border of France & Germany) was de-militarized (“Buffer zone”) Unification between Austria-Hungary and Germany was forbidden Constitution of League of Nations included

German Losses Polish Corridor De-militarized Zone Alsace-Lorraine Germany France

References Carrie Schlappner, 2009 Tessa Logan, 2009 Allie Bach, 2009 Jodi Robertson, 2009