battle of ypres

The 2nd Battle of Ypres

First Battle of Ypres (Oct-Nov 1914)

• Took place before Canadians arrived.

• By Spring 1915, Ypres was devastated by German shellfire.

Canadian (April 1915)

• Canadians were moved to a bulge in the Allied line in front of Ypres.

• The line curved into a concave bend, with Germans holding higher ground, firing from north, south, and east.

• On the Canadian right: two British divisions.

• On the left: the French 45th (Algerian) division.

why was ypres imporant

• First major battle: It was the first major engagement for Canadian troops, marking their involvement in WWI.

• Held their ground despite gas attack: Despite most of the gas targeting the French, the Canadians were able to hold their position even after the French defenses crumbled.

• Significance to Canadian identity: The battle highlighted the bravery of Canadian troops and played a key role in shaping Canada's identity as a distinct nation, separate from Britain.

• Prevented a larger threat: The Canadian troops helped stop a German advance that could have jeopardized 50,000 Canadian and British troops.

Poison gas introduced

Here on April 22, the Germans introduced a new weapon, poison gas.

Following an intensive artillery bombardment, they released 160 tons of chlorine gas from cylinders dug into the forward edge of their trenches into a light wind blowing toward the Allied trenches.

Chemical weapons outlawed

Chemical weapons delivered by exploding shell had been outlawed by international law in 1899.

Germans did not technically violate this law because the gas was released by cylinder.

Despite the ban on delivering poison by exploding shells, both sides would do so extensively in WWI.

hole in allied line

• Chlorine gas was released during the Battle of Ypres.

• French defenses collapsed as troops either suffocated or fled.

• 6.5 km gap was created in the Allied line.

• Most of the gas missed the Canadians, but the French retreat exposed their flank.

• 50,000 Canadian and British troops were in danger of being surrounded.

• German forces advanced, threatening to destroy the Allied position.

• Germans had a limited offensive and lacked reserves, preventing them from exploiting the gap.

No gas masks

Soldiers did not carry gas masks at this point in the war. Many survived by holding urine soaked handkerchiefs over their mouths and noses- after being instructed to do so by medical officers who had identified the gas as chlorine.

Gas masks would soon be issued by the various militaries, and these masks would continue to evolve throughout the war.

Responding to gas

With the introduction of poison gas, many feared that the Germans had discovered a war-winning weapon.

But the introduction of increasingly effective gas masks and other precautions helped counter the German advantage.

The British responded with their own chlorine attacks in September 1915, during which a change in wind direction resulted in more than 2,000 British soldiers being gassed by their own chemicals.

forging a reputation

Four Canadians won the Victoria Cross, while countless other acts of bravery occurred throughout the division.

A new reputation but high casualties

• Canadians gained a reputation as tough fighters.

• The Canadian Prime Minister received congratulatory messages.

• 6,035 Canadian casualties (1 in 3 soldiers), with more than 2,000 deaths.

• These were heavy losses for Canada's small force, mostly made up of civilians just months earlier.

• At home, Canadians felt proud but also mourned their fallen soldiers.

Fighting on the chemical battlefield

Deadlier gasses and more reliable delivery systems were introduced later in the war. By 1917, chemical shells, projectors, and mortars could deposit dense gas barrages on enemy lines, or behind them on supply routes, reserve trenches, or gun batteries.

ex. tear gases, chlorine gas, phosgene and diphosgene gas, mustard gas

John mccrae

Among those deeply affected by the horror of the fighting at Ypres was John McCrae, a Canadian Army Medical Corps officer, who wrote his famous poem “In Flanders Fields” in May 1915 just north of Ypres, in an area traditionally called Flanders.

The day before he wrote his famous poem, one of McCrae's closest friends was killed in the fighting and buried in a makeshift grave with a simple wooden cross.

Wild poppies were already beginning to bloom between the crosses marking the many graves.

Unable to help his friend or any of the others who had died, John McCrae gave them a voice through his poem.

In flanders fields

The horrific events at the Second Battle of Ypres inspired what became Canada’s best known war poem “In Flanders Fields”

In Flanders Fields was first published in England's Punch magazine in December 1915. Within months, this poem came to symbolize the sacrifices of all who were fighting in the First World War.

Today, the poem continues to be a part of Remembrance Day ceremonies in Canada and other countries throughout the world.