Significant Events of the First World War History 30F

Second Battle of Ypres, 1915 The Germans used chlorine gas in this battle, April 22, 1915 Some used urine soaked handkerchiefs to withstand gas and stopped the German advance 6035 Canadian casualties with more than 2000 dead First significant battle for the Canadians Canadian soldiers gained a reputation as being a force to be reckoned with First realization of how lethal the war would be

Major Canadian Battles of WWI

The Battle of The Somme, 1916 Allied offensive in the Somme Valley that lasted from July to November of 1916 Catastrophic for the allies, over 20,000 dead in the first day Between both sides over 1.25 million soldiers died in the battle The allies gained 13km of territory 90% of Newfoundland regiment wiped out on the first day Canadian helped capture the town of Courcelette 8,000 Canadians were killed in the battle Placed major stress of Canadian volunteer enlistments

The Battle at Vimy Ridge, 1917 The Germans held the ridge at it was important as a vantage point as well as a German railway Between April 9-14, 1917 the allies made a third attempt to capture the ridge and were successful The Canadians played a major role in the battle 4 divisions of soldiers totalling 100,000 participated, each led by a Canadian commander After Vimy the Canadian Corps was created as Canada’s own fighting unit

Vimy War Memorial

Battle of Passchendaele, 1917 Began on October 26 On November 7 the village was captured and by the 10 th the ridge was captured 4,000 Canadians were killed in the battle and 12,000 wounded Regarded by many as a futile battle with a high number of casualties for little gain Arthur Currie became the first CANADIAN commander in chief (General) of the Canadian Corps Currie protested the advance forecasting a large loss of lives

Passchendaele in colour

Canada’s Hundred Days The Germans made a large offensive on the Western Front that would lead to the end of the war On August 8, General Currie began a counter offensive at Amiens. By November 11, 1918 an armistice took effect and the war finally ended Canadian corps capture Amiens, helped break the Hindenburg Line and captured Mons This battle led to the end of the war

General Arthur Currie