Major Canadian Battles of the First World War

Second Battle of YpresApril – May 1915British offensive tactics prove ineffectiveFirst use of chlorine gas Establishes Canada as a fighting force59,000 casualties – 6,000 CANJohn McCrae writes In Flanders FieldSignificance:

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 blowBetween the crosses, row on row,That mark our place; and in the skyThe larks, still bravely singing, flyScarce heard amid the guns below.We are the Dead. Short days agoWe lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,Loved, and were loved, and now we lieIn Flanders fields.Take up our quarrel with the foe:To you from failing hands we throwThe torch, be yours to hold it high.If ye break faith with us who dieWe shall not sleep, though poppies growIn Flanders fields.

Battle of the SommeJuly – November 1916Attack lead by British General Douglas HaigDeadliest battle of the war (over 1 million

casualties - 24,000 CAN) for very little gain (8 km)

First use of tanks – prove ineffectiveBeaumont-Hammel – NLFD Regiment

decimated on the first day of battle (801 over the top – 68 return)

Significance:

Battle of Vimy RidgeApril 9-12, 1917Strategically important high area that French

and British could not captureCanadian divisions fought together under

Arthur Currie’s commandCareful 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

PasschendaeleOctober – November 1917British are adamant that the area be taken

despite Currie’s opposition and concernsFlooding of battlefield made the attack

extremely difficultCanadian success with high casualties

(16,000) for little gains (5 km)Significance:

Last Hundred DaysAugust – November 1918Canadian forces spearhead the final assault

on German forcesBattles at Arras, Amiens, Canal du Nord,

MonsAllied forces capture numerous prisoners,

weapons and supplies, while demoralizing German troops

Armistice takes effect November 11th Significance: