Second Battle of Ypres April – May 1915 British offensive tactics prove ineffective First use of chlorine gas Establishes Canada as a fighting force 59,000 casualties – 6,000 CAN John McCrae writes In Flanders Field Significance:

The general impression in my mind is of a nightmare. We have been in the most bitter of fights. For seventeen days and seventeen nights none of us have had our clothes off, nor our boots even, except occasionally. In all that time while I was awake, gunfire and rifle fire never ceased for sixty seconds..... And behind it all was the constant background of the sights of the dead, the wounded, the maimed, and a terrible anxiety lest the line should give way. In Flanders Fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch, be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

Battle of the Somme July – November 1916 Attack lead by British General Douglas Haig Deadliest battle of the war (over 1 million casualties - 24,000 CAN) for very little gain (8 km) First use of tanks – prove ineffective Beaumont-Hammel – NLFD Regiment decimated on the first day of battle (801 over the top – 68 return) Significance:

Battle of Vimy Ridge April 9-12, 1917 Strategically important high area that French and British could not capture Canadian divisions fought together under Arthur Currie’s command Careful planning and preparation (ie maps, creeping barrage) led to victory – but at a cost of 10,600 casualties Significance:

“We went up Vimy Ridge as Albertans and Nova Scotians. We came down as Canadians.” ~ Veteran

Passchendaele October – November 1917 British are adamant that the area be taken despite Currie’s opposition and concerns Flooding of battlefield made the attack extremely difficult Canadian success with high casualties (16,000) for little gains (5 km) Significance:

Last Hundred Days August – November 1918 Canadian forces spearhead the final assault on German forces Battles at Arras, Amiens, Canal du Nord, Mons Allied forces capture numerous prisoners, weapons and supplies, while demoralizing German troops Armistice takes effect November 11 th Significance: