Battles of World War I

Battle of Ypres - Spring of 1915 Canadians were honored to defend the last bit of Belgian land held by the Allied forces. Canadians fought alongside the French-Algerian troops

Ypres continued Allied trenches were surrounded on three sides by German trenches

Ypres - Gas Germans unleashed the first chlorine gas. The French-Algerian troops ran. The Canadians held for four days.

Ypres Cont. Canada lost 6037 men Canada won high praise as a courageous nation The standing soldier exemplifies the courage and resolve of the inexperienced Canadians in their first major battle. British Field Marshal Sir John French declared that the Canadians “saved the situation.”

The Battle of the Somme: July, 1 1916- November 1916 British commander, Douglas Haig wanted to smash through German lines His strategy was to bomb the German lines in hope that the shelling would wipe out the front lines After the bombing, the allied infantry would be able to break through these front lines It was said the bombing could be heard as far away as London

Haig’s explanation (3) Sir Douglas Haig explained the importance of using heavy artillery at the Battle of the Somme in his book Dispatches, that was published after the war. The enemy's position to be attacked was of a very formidable character, situated on a high, undulating tract of ground. The first and second systems each consisted of several lines of deep trenches, well provided with bomb-proof shelters and with numerous communication trenches connecting them. The front of the trenches in each system was protected by wire entanglements, many of them in two belts forty yards broad, built of iron stakes, interlaced with barbed-wire, often almost as thick as a man's finger. Defences of this nature could only be attacked with the prospect of success after careful artillery preparation.

Somme cont. Haig’s strategy was badly outdated. Germans hid in massive concrete trenches and knew that when the shelling stopped the allied troops would be on their way German machine gunners easily stopped all allied troops who went “over the top”

Somme Cont. 1.25 million men were killed or wounded at the Somme and Britain had advanced less than 12 km. German machine-gunner at the Somme. “The officers were in the front. I noticed one of them walking calmly carrying a walking stick. When we started firing we just had to load and reload. They went down in their hundreds. You didn't have to aim, we just fired into them. “

The Battle of Vimy Ridge April 9, 1917 The Germans had held this 60 meter high ridge since the beginning of the war. It gave the Germans a commanding view of the British army and protected a vital area of occupied France that produced supplies for Germany

Topo Map of Vimy

Vimy Ridge Thus the Ridge was heavily fortified . Britain and France had tried many times to take Vimy Ridge with no success. Germany was confident it could not be taken. “German occupying troops controlled the ridge using a network of trenches that snaked along the crest and down into the valley, connecting with another network of natural caves. 150,000 French and British soldiers had died trying to take it back. Allied commanders believed the ridge to be impregnable.”

Vimy Ridge cont. The Canadian Corps, under General Julian Byng and Canadian Major General Arthur Currie, were assigned the task to take Vimy Ridge Following the capture of Vimy, Arthur Currie was promoted to commander of the Canadian Corps.

Vimy cont. The Canadians used thorough research, preparation, practice, a surprise attack and great discipline and courage to win Vimy Ridge

The Preparations and Planning This is UNIQUE as this map (sketch of what appears to be the attack plan on the trench map) could hardly be seen on the original document. Scanning the document made it clearly visible!

Preparation and Planning cont. At zero hours we leave our assembly trenches and push forward as soon as possible.  The whole idea being to get into "No Mans Land" before Hun barrage starts.  24th & 25th take first two german lines.  Short yards at first line.  Barrage works back until it reaches Black Line. At 0+34 barrage lifts and 20th B takes Black line. Meanwhile we lie at N front line trench.  Each cmp then move up without orders to German 3rd line and try and re-organize.  Do not bother about straightness of line but follow the barrage.

Below Vimy

Vimy: Birth of a Nation Although 3500 Canadians died, Canada successfully captured Vimy in one day This was a turning point that has been called “The Birth of a Nation” For the first time Canadians attacked and triumphed together. It was one of the swiftest and most complete victories of the entire war It united Canadians and brought Honour and pride to the young Nation From this point forward, Canadian troops were commanded by their own generals

Vimy memorial

The Battle of Passchendaele October, 1917 British general Douglas Haig, against all advice, still wanted to break through the German front As part of the attack, Canadian corps were to attack Passchendaele The battlefield was a nightmare of marshes and swamps, and the Germans held the high ground above the battlefield

Passchendaele cont. Canada took Passchendaele, but at a cost of 15,654 men 9 Canadians received Victorian Cross, Britain’s highest military honour