Canadians In Battle

Ypres ~ April 1915 The 1st Canadian Division had just arrived at the front and were moved to Ypres Salient, in front of the City of Ypres in Belgium.

On April 22, after an artillery bombardment, the Germans released 5700 cylinders of chlorine gas. The green chlorine gas was heavier than air and sank into the trenches forcing soldiers out.

The gas attack was followed by strong infantry assaults.

The French defences were forced to retreat, leaving a four-mile wide hole in the Allied line.

The Canadians fought through the night to close the gap. The Canadians launched a counter-attack to drive the Germans out.

The Canadian victory had a heavy price as 1 in 3 soldiers was killed.

The Somme ~ July 1916 The largest attack of the war and the greatest failure. British, French and Canadian troops pounded the German trenches with heavy artillery believing the enemy defences would be wiped out.

Tens of thousands of allied troops went over the top and were mercilessly slaughter by German machine gun fire.

were killed in the first day of fighting. Over half a million on both sides by the time the battle ended.

Canadian troops were assisted by the newest weapon of the war – The tank. Despite this new metal monster over Canadians died at the Somme and no significant gains were made.

VIMY RIDGE ~ April 1917 It is considered the greatest Canadian victory of the war!

The infantry assault was preceded by a massive artillery barrage The infantry assault was preceded by a massive artillery barrage By the time the infantry set out, a million artillery shells had battered the Germans By the time the infantry set out, a million artillery shells had battered the Germans

At 5.30 a.m., April 9, 1917, Easter Monday, the rolling or creeping artillery barrage began to move steadily toward the Germans At 5.30 a.m., April 9, 1917, Easter Monday, the rolling or creeping artillery barrage began to move steadily toward the Germans

The barrage would function as a screen for the troops to hide from view. Every few minutes, the cannons would target a higher aim, moving the artillery fire forward by about 90 metres. The barrage would function as a screen for the troops to hide from view. Every few minutes, the cannons would target a higher aim, moving the artillery fire forward by about 90 metres.

The Canadian success at Vimy marked a significant turning-point for the Allies. A year-and-a-half later, the Great War was over The Canadian success at Vimy marked a significant turning-point for the Allies. A year-and-a-half later, the Great War was over Many call the victory at Vimy the Birth of Canada as a nationVimy

PASSCHENDAELE October 1917 The allied advance had bogged down in a sea of mud on the Western Front when Canadian troops were asked to attack Passchendaele.

Canadian commander, Arthur Currie, said casualties would be too high because of the mud and lack of mobility. Canadian commander, Arthur Currie, said casualties would be too high because of the mud and lack of mobility.

Canadian troops followed orders and attacked despite the fact no-mans-land was full of mud, water, corpses, dead horses, barbed wire and the wreckage of almost four months of battle. Canadian troops followed orders and attacked despite the fact no-mans-land was full of mud, water, corpses, dead horses, barbed wire and the wreckage of almost four months of battle.

As the men strayed onto the battlefield, it was soon obvious that success would be almost impossible and slaughter guaranteed. As the men strayed onto the battlefield, it was soon obvious that success would be almost impossible and slaughter guaranteed.

Men who had the misfortune of falling from the duckboard walkways faced a death of drowning in the mud. Men who had the misfortune of falling from the duckboard walkways faced a death of drowning in the mud.

Canadians took their objective but at the cost of casualties. Canadians took their objective but at the cost of casualties. Two square miles had been taken at a cost of 500,000 casualties to the Allied forces Two square miles had been taken at a cost of 500,000 casualties to the Allied forces

Other Canadian Participants Civilians also worked at the front Civilians also worked at the front Canadian foresters cut timber and cleared fields for landing strips Canadian foresters cut timber and cleared fields for landing strips

Canadian railroad companies built lines on the Western Front. Canadian railroad companies built lines on the Western Front.

Canadian tunnelers dug under enemy trenches to plant explosives. Canadian tunnelers dug under enemy trenches to plant explosives.

Canadian nurses tended to the injured near the front lines. Canadian nurses tended to the injured near the front lines.