1. The Realities of Fighting for Canada in WW1

2. The Beginning 1914 – Canada Automatically at war.
Leader of opposition Wilfred Laurier declares Canada is ‘Ready, Aye Ready’ to serve Britain.
Promised 25,000 troops
30,000 signed up in the first month alone
Went to Europe as CEF (Canadian Expeditionary force)
Beginning of stronger National Identity
Tensions between groups
Aboriginal Canadians not welcomed – officially banned but this was often ignored.
African and Japanese Canadians not promoted -  "This is not for you fellows, this is a white man's war.“ – NS recruitment officer to
French and English Canada fighting in separate units

3. How does Trench warfare start?
French forces try to stop German advance
Begins ‘Race to the sea’ – front line moves further and further north (like a zip)
By November, weather becomes bad
Sides begin to ‘dig in’ and build trenches
Start of defensive, rather than offensive war.

6. Rats!

7. Lice

8. Mud at Passchendaele

9. No Mans Land

11. The Battle of Ypres 1. April 1915 – Ypres Gas used for the first time
Totally new – had to pee in handkerchiefs
6000 Canadians killed or wounded
Later developed cumbersome gas masks
Hit most unexperienced (Youngest) soldiers hardest.

12. The Battle of The Somme . July 1916 – Battle of the Somme
German lines bombarded for one week. Hid in bunkers, very little damage
Soldiers instructed by Haig to walk toward machine gun fire
85% of Newfoundland regiment killed or wounded in first 30 minutes
Lasted 6 months. Haig never visited the front to see reality

13. Vimy Ridge 3. April 1917 – Vimy Ridge
Canadian Forces capture important high ground in 3 days
Prepared in advance by practising on similar terrain
Both French and British forces had previously tried and failed.
3500 killed, 7000 wounded
US editorial called it a “Canadian Victory”
Canada getting international recognition as Canada and not Britain.

14. 4 key Canadian battles 4. October 1917 - Passchendaele
Canadian general Arthur Currie in command of Canadian troops for first time
Scouted Passchendaele and complained to Haig and British high command
Said suicidal and not willing to risk Canadian troops
Haig refused to change plan.
15,000 Canadian dead.
Many stuck in mud and trampled or suffocated