The Second Battle of Ypres April 1915

World Map

The Western Front

The Second Battle of Ypres, 1915

Background Referred to as the greatest defensive battle ever fought by Canadians Referred to as the greatest defensive battle ever fought by Canadians Once Canadians had been trained they were sent to a sector in front of the Belgium city of Ypres Once Canadians had been trained they were sent to a sector in front of the Belgium city of Ypres While this sector had seen the severest fighting of the war the previous autumn, it was quiet on the Canadians’ arrival While this sector had seen the severest fighting of the war the previous autumn, it was quiet on the Canadians’ arrival Canadian soldiers were moved to the front lines even though they lacked any front line experience Canadian soldiers were moved to the front lines even though they lacked any front line experience Canadian soldiers were from all walks of life (many only have part time experience) versus highly trained professional soldiers Canadian soldiers were from all walks of life (many only have part time experience) versus highly trained professional soldiers

Map of Ypres – Canadian Position

The Trench Line Canadian soldiers at ‘quiet’ sections of the bulge in Allied line in front of the city of Ypres Canadian soldiers at ‘quiet’ sections of the bulge in Allied line in front of the city of Ypres Two British divisions to right Two British divisions to right One French division, the 45 th Algerian on left One French division, the 45 th Algerian on left

The Attack Five days after the Canadians arrived the Germans attacked on the evening of April 22, 1915 Five days after the Canadians arrived the Germans attacked on the evening of April 22, 1915 They release 5700 cylinders of chlorine gas, along with a heavy artillery bombardment, and a strong infantry assault They release 5700 cylinders of chlorine gas, along with a heavy artillery bombardment, and a strong infantry assault Symptoms of chlorine gas poisoning include vomiting, difficulty in breathing, a burning sensation in the lungs, eyes, nasal and mouth passages, watery eyes Symptoms of chlorine gas poisoning include vomiting, difficulty in breathing, a burning sensation in the lungs, eyes, nasal and mouth passages, watery eyes In severe cases, cell damage in the lungs leads to fluid buildup in the lungs, loss of consciousness through suffocation, and death. In severe cases, cell damage in the lungs leads to fluid buildup in the lungs, loss of consciousness through suffocation, and death.

Initial German Attack

German Gas Cylinders

Gas Attack Gas was an effective weapon when used against soldiers in defensive positions as it was heavier than air Gas was an effective weapon when used against soldiers in defensive positions as it was heavier than air It would follow the ground contours and sink into the trenches It would follow the ground contours and sink into the trenches Caused soldier to abandon trenches for higher ground Caused soldier to abandon trenches for higher ground Gas attack looked like an olive-green cloud Gas attack looked like an olive-green cloud

The Response French soldiers receive the brunt of the attack and retreat, leaving a four mile hole in the allied lines French soldiers receive the brunt of the attack and retreat, leaving a four mile hole in the allied lines Canadians were asked to fill in the gap which was under attack by German soldiers Canadians were asked to fill in the gap which was under attack by German soldiers The Canadians were successful The Canadians were successful

April 24, 1915 Germany strikes again with gas Germany strikes again with gas Works better as light breeze Works better as light breeze Canadians had no protection other then wet clothes over their faces; gasping through mud and urine soaked hankerchiefs Canadians had no protection other then wet clothes over their faces; gasping through mud and urine soaked hankerchiefs They had to withdraw to support trenches They had to withdraw to support trenches Artillery kept the Germans out of the trenches, until the Canadians could take them back once the gas had dissipated Artillery kept the Germans out of the trenches, until the Canadians could take them back once the gas had dissipated

British troops prepare for a gas attack with goggles and wet gauze

Devastation of Ypres

In The End Canadians were able to hold the line against the Germans Canadians were able to hold the line against the Germans start the battle; 6035 casualties (3058 on April 24) start the battle; 6035 casualties (3058 on April 24) For the Germans this was a testing ground; don’t follow gas up For the Germans this was a testing ground; don’t follow gas up For Canadians it earned them a reputation as hard fighters For Canadians it earned them a reputation as hard fighters

The Second Battle of Ypres By Richard Jack

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