Ypres 2nd, Somme, and Vimy

Battle of Ypres, 1915 First battle for Canadians (in Belgium) Chlorine gas was used for the first time by the Germans even though gas was outlawed for military use since 1899 Despite the attack and gas, the Canadian line never broke 6700 Canadians killed, wounded, or captured

“There were about two hundred to three hundred men lying in that ditch “There were about two hundred to three hundred men lying in that ditch. Some were clawing at their throats. Their brass buttons were green. Their bodies were swelled [….] Some of the Canadians were still writhing on the ground, their tongues hanging out.” – British private David Shand

Ypres – Alden Nowlan Sometimes I’m not even sure that I have a country.   But I know they stood there at Ypres The first time the Germans used gas, That they were almost the only troops In that section of the front Who did not break and run… And that’s ridiculous, too, and nothing On which to found a country. Still It makes me feel good, knowing That in some obscure, conclusive way They were connected with me And me with them.

The Battle of the Somme, 1916 Sir General Haig: commander of all Brit forces in Fr (included Canadians) This battle was one of Haig’s disasters. July to Novemeber 1916 Canadian soldiers were ordered to charge German machine gunners in broad daylight. If they succeeded they still had to deal with German bayonets and support trenches.

The Battle of the Somme, 1916 780 soldiers were from Newfoundland’s regiment. 110 emerged unscathed. Haig gained 8kms of mud. The CEF suffered 24,000 casualties. Allied losses numbered over 620,000 “tens of thousands of our men are lying low, never to rise again [….] As far as my eye takes me, I can see rows of dead [….] Have lost my old pals today”

VIMY RIDGE, 1917 “It was on Easter Monday, April 9, 1917, and not on any other date, that Canada became a nation.”

Germany captured Vimy Ridge early in the war and transformed it into a strong defensive position. Defended by highly trained soldiers French and Britain tried to take the ridge back twice before. They were unable to do so in both occasions and suffered hundreds of thousands of casualties

JULIAN BYNG Commanding officer Cared about his men and did not want to see anyone die because of poor planning Had the idea to give all soldiers maps

SIR ARTHUR CURRIE Canadian general sent by Byng to learn all he could from the mistakes in the battles of 1916 Amazing detail and supremely organized. “Neglect nothing” One of the greatest generals Canada has ever produced

ANDREW McNAUGHTON Invented “Sound Ranging” to accurately pinpoint targets (prelude to “radar”) This innovation allowed Canadians to knock out 85% of German artillery weapons before the battle at Vimy

8 NEW TACTICS Buried commander cables Built railway system Counter Battery Sand maps Maps given to section level (40,000) Mobile machine gun platforms Leap frogging Rolling barrage

ROLLING BARRAGE

THE BATTLE Began at 5:30am, April 9, 1917 Canadians captured most of the heavily defended ridge by noon Hill 145, the highest point, fell the next day. “The Pimple”, another elevated strong point, was captured two days later. The allies now commanded the heights Approximately 10,000 lives lost

CANADIAN PRIDE One of the most complete offensive victories up to that point of the war Canadians became well known for their skills. The Germans would heavily prepare for an attack if they learned the Canadians were involved. Sets up the momentum that carries Canadians troops to the end of the war