1. Western Front Battles Canadian History 1201 To accompany “Spotlight Canada” Pages 91-94

2. YPRES….April 1915 Located in Belgium Germans first launched poison gas attacks against allied lines Canadians held the line while other allied forces retreated Over 5200 Canadians were killed 1 in 5 was listed as KIA, MIA, gassed, or wounded

3. Battle of the Somme….July 1 st, 1916 Located in France…..the battle of the Somme was referred to as ‘the big push’ British fired over 1.5 million shells in a week-long artillery bombardment leading up to the battle Soldiers were told they would be able walk across ‘no- man’s land’ & leave their rifles behind…(Germans, barbed wire, & even the rats would be all destroyed). The Germans were well protected in deep dugouts When the shelling stopped the Germans came up from their dugouts & setup their machine guns to face the British advance

4. Beaumont Hamel, July 1, 1916 Newfoundland’s role during the Battle of the Somme Ninety percent of the regiment were wiped out (either killed or wounded) in 30 mins.

5. Battle of the Somme….July 1, 1916 Results At the end of the first day the British had suffered over 57,000 casualties After 5 months of battle, total casualties for both sides numbered 1.25 million (24,000 Canadians) British only advanced 11 km (approx from St. Bride’s to Branch) Tanks were used for the first time in warfare

6. Vimy Ridge….. April 9, 1917 Canada’s most celebrated battle 100, 000 Canadians were involved All four Canadian divisions attacked together for the first time Canadians gained more ground, more guns, & more German prisoners than were taken in previous 2 years of fighting. Four Canadians won the Victoria Cross

7. Vimy Ridge memorial in the center

9. Passchendaele Occurred in the fall of 1917 Known as the “Third Battle of Ypres” The battlefield consisted of mud & mire due to heavy rains & shelling that destroyed drainage ditches Soldiers, animals, weapons, & supplies was sucked into the earth Almost 16, 000 Canadians died out of almost 500,000 allied forces Roughly 2 square miles had been taken

10. Passchendaele