Four Major Canadian Battles of WWI

Ypres: April 22- May 25 1915 Set-up Germans prepared for limited offensive in Belgium during 1915 Ypres last major Belgian town in Allied hands Ypres provided a defensive position that would help protect French ports on English Channel

Ypres- April 22, 1915 5:00am- Germans release chlorine gas on French soldiers just left of Canadians Orange fog kills many French troops leaving a HUGE gap in the Allied line The gap exposed Canadians forcing them to act

Ypres- April 22-25, 1915 Canadians fight to protect the position Canadian gassed on the 24th, but soak rags in muddy water and urine to cover faces in order to continue fighting Canadians counter attack to stall the German advance

Ypres- Results Canadians earned reputation as tough and dependable Canadian casualties were 6000 over 4 days https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcU aNw4XZK0

The Somme- July 1- Nov 18, 1916 Set-up French troops were facing heavy losses at Verdun, Somme took pressure away Commanded by Sir. Douglas Haig (British) Germans set up dugouts for gunners British bombs turned out to be unreliable

The Somme- July 1, 1916 British troops thought they could walk right up to the German trenches British lost 60 000 troops day one Newfoundland lost all but 90 soldiers of 800 600 000 casualties on both sides

The Somme- The outcome Canada now known for planning skills British leadership blamed for being unprepared Ends in a stalemate Known as a “meat grinder” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=- Tv5gBa9DQs

Vimy Ridge- April 9-12, 1917 Set-up Considered one of the most significant events leading up to Canadian independence over Britain Vimy was a 7km long ridge in North France British and France both unsuccessful in previous attempts to take ridge Canada develops a perfect plan

Vimy Ridge- April 9, 1917 Canada opens fire Isolate German gunners 15 000 Canadian troops storm the ridge at different points Capture most of the ridge on the 9th Finish taking the ridge on the 12th

Vimy Ridge- Results First time all Canadians fight together 10 600 Canadians Killed Symbol for Canada in the war https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHj 88WeLohk

Passchendaele- July 31- Nov 1917 Set-up Goal to stop Germans from using channel ports to ship supplies Britain bombed channels causing muddy field Haig couldn’t get it done for Britain, Currie ordered to bring Canadians in

Passchendaele Currie didn’t think it was wise, estimated 16 000 Canadian casualties Canada arrives mid October Currie builds rails and platforms to transport supplies, cannons and troops Many killed in building these rails and platforms

Passchendaele October 26 First of 4 successful phases begin Canadians advance slowly 15, 654 Canadians die 273 000 British and 220 000 German dead https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= f5cQyOC05ZY