5.3 Key Battles and Canadian Military Achievements

Canada's involvement in World War I's key battles showcased its military prowess. From the Second Battle of Ypres to Vimy Ridge, Canadian forces proved their mettle, earning a reputation for bravery and tactical innovation.

Canadian military achievements during the war were significant. Under the leadership of General Arthur Currie, Canadian troops excelled in trench warfare and played crucial roles in major offensives, contributing to the Allied victory in 1918.

Major Battles of World War I

Second Battle of Ypres and the Introduction of Chemical Warfare

Top images from around the web for Second Battle of Ypres and the Introduction of Chemical Warfare

• 

  Chemical Combat View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  The First Modern War | Boundless World History View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Wikipedia:Picture of the day/May 2005 - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Chemical Combat View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  The First Modern War | Boundless World History View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Second Battle of Ypres and the Introduction of Chemical Warfare

• 

  Chemical Combat View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  The First Modern War | Boundless World History View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Wikipedia:Picture of the day/May 2005 - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Chemical Combat View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  The First Modern War | Boundless World History View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Second Battle of Ypres (April 22-May 25, 1915) marked the first large-scale use of poison gas on the Western Front
• Germans released 168 tons of chlorine gas against two French colonial divisions, causing widespread panic and creating a 6 km gap in the Allied line
• Canadians were able to quickly fill the gap and hold the line, preventing a German breakthrough
• Canadians suffered over 6,000 casualties, one third of which were due to the chlorine gas
• This battle demonstrated the horrific effects of chemical warfare and set a precedent for its use throughout the war

Battles of Attrition: The Somme and Passchendaele

• Battle of the Somme (July 1-November 18, 1916) was one of the largest and bloodiest battles of World War I
• Allied forces launched a massive offensive to break through German lines and relieve pressure on the French at Verdun
• On the first day alone, the British suffered over 57,000 casualties, making it the bloodiest single day in British military history
• Canadians entered the battle in September and captured a series of objectives, including Courcelette and the Thiepval Ridge
• Passchendaele (July 31-November 10, 1917) was another brutal battle of attrition fought in muddy, miserable conditions
• Canadians played a significant role in the final push to capture the Passchendaele Ridge, suffering over 15,000 casualties in the process
• These battles exemplified the costly and often futile nature of trench warfare, with massive casualties and minimal territorial gains

Vimy Ridge and the Hundred Days Offensive: Canadian Victories

• Battle of Vimy Ridge (April 9-12, 1917) was a defining moment for Canada, as all four divisions of the Canadian Corps fought together for the first time
• Canadians used innovative tactics, such as a creeping barrage and extensive tunneling, to capture the heavily fortified ridge
• The victory at Vimy Ridge became a symbol of Canadian national achievement and sacrifice, with 3,598 Canadians killed and another 7,000 wounded
• The Hundred Days Offensive (August 8-November 11, 1918) was a series of successful Allied offensives that ultimately led to the end of the war
• Canadians played a significant role in the offensive, spearheading attacks at Amiens, Arras, and Canal du Nord
• The Canadian Corps' success during this period demonstrated their effectiveness as a fighting force and earned them a reputation as "shock troops"

Canadian Military Leadership

Arthur Currie: Canada's Premier Military Commander

• General Sir Arthur Currie was the first Canadian to command the Canadian Corps, taking over from British General Julian Byng in June 1917
• Currie was known for his meticulous planning, innovative tactics, and concern for the welfare of his troops
• He played a key role in the victories at Vimy Ridge, Hill 70, and Passchendaele, as well as during the Hundred Days Offensive
• Currie's leadership helped to minimize casualties while maximizing gains, earning him the respect of his troops and Allied commanders
• After the war, Currie served as the principal and vice-chancellor of McGill University until his death in 1933

Warfare Tactics and Technology

Trench Warfare: Stalemate on the Western Front

• Trench warfare became the dominant form of combat on the Western Front, with armies dug into elaborate systems of trenches, dugouts, and fortifications
• Soldiers lived in squalid conditions, constantly exposed to enemy fire, disease, and the elements
• No Man's Land, the area between opposing trench lines, was heavily defended by barbed wire, machine guns, and artillery
• Attacks often resulted in heavy casualties with little territorial gain, as defenders could easily repel attacks from their entrenched positions
• New technologies, such as machine guns, poison gas, and tanks, were introduced in an attempt to break the stalemate
• The psychological toll of trench warfare was immense, with soldiers suffering from "shell shock" (now known as PTSD) and other mental health issues

Canadian Military Branches

The Emergence of the Canadian Air Force

• The Canadian Aviation Corps was established in 1914, but disbanded after the war
• Canadians continued to serve in the British Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service throughout the war
• Over 23,000 Canadians served in British air services, with many becoming renowned fighter pilots, such as Billy Bishop, Raymond Collishaw, and William Barker
• Canadian pilots played a significant role in the air war, engaging in aerial reconnaissance, bombing missions, and dogfights with German aircraft
• The success of Canadian pilots during World War I laid the foundation for the creation of the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1924

The Royal Canadian Navy's Contribution to the War Effort

• At the outbreak of the war, the Royal Canadian Navy consisted of only two outdated cruisers and 350 sailors
• By the end of the war, the RCN had grown to over 100 ships and 10,000 personnel, including 6,000 reservists
• The RCN's primary role was to escort convoys and protect merchant ships from German U-boat attacks
• Canadian ships and sailors served in the Atlantic, the Caribbean, and European waters, helping to maintain Allied supply lines
• Despite its small size, the RCN played a crucial role in the Battle of the Atlantic, the longest continuous military campaign of World War I
• The experience gained during the war helped to establish the RCN as a professional and effective naval force