History - WWI Battles

What is another name for World War One?

the Great War

How many Canadians enlisted to assist in the British Empire?  What role did Sam Hughes play in WWI?

over 6000,000 Canadians enlisted and Sam Hughes, the first minister of the militia trained the Canadian volunteers in Valcartier, Quebec. He preached the

social value of military training and national preparedness.

In what city/province in Canada did Canadian soldiers get trained and what was the name of the place?

In Valcartier, Quebec at the first and largest training camp, “Valcartier Camp”

What happened in October 1914? How many divisions where Canadian soldiers divided into?

They were divided in Four divisions, In october 1914, they arrived in England

Battle Name

Time/Place

Three Significant Events of Battle

Role Played by Canadians

YPRES

April 1915-May 1915 (Belgium)

• The German army attacked with 'Chlorine Gas', a weapon that Canadian soldiers were unaware of.

• The gas caused severe burns, suffocation, blindness, and suffocation among soldiers.

• The battle resulted in over 6,000 

Canadian casualties, with 1,000 dying.

• The Triple Entente lost an estimated 69,000 Allied troops against 35,000 Germans due to the use of chlorine gas.

Despite the small casualties, the majority of Canadians managed to counter-attack and hold off the Germans until British troops arrived.

• Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae M.D. wrote a poem, 'In Flanders Fields', during the battle, which is still recited today.

• The first Canadian Division was sent to Ypres trenches in Belgium, defending a section of the 'front lines'.

SOMME

July-November 1916 (France)

• Canadians began wearing new steel helmets and tanks for the first time.

• Haig aimed to attack German trenches with artillery, but the Germans' trenches were supported by concrete walls and barbed wire.

Despite the heavy casualties, Haig insisted on the campaign, which lasted for five months until forced to end due to heavy winter rains.

• The battle was the bloodiest in the war, with over 1.25 million people killed or wounded.

• The first Canadian Division was sent to the battle, followed by the second and third divisions.

• British Commander Douglas Haig led the battle, resulting in heavy Canadian losses.

VIMY RIDGE

Easter 1917 (April 9 th -12 th ) (France)

• The ridge on Vimy, an eight-kilometer slope between France and Belgium, was strategically located for German supply.

• Despite numerous attempts, French and British troops retreated due to German artillery.

• The task of capturing the ridge was given to Canadians, marking the first time all four Canadian Divisions attacked as a National Unit.

• The Canadians, under British General Julian Byng and Canadian Major General Arthur Currie, attacked with 1,000 artillery shells.

• The Canadians successfully sieged the ridge in six hours, gaining more ground, guns, and 4,000 prisoners.

• The victory was the highest Canadian military achievement in WWI, leading to Sir Julian Byng becoming Governor General of Canada and Major-General Arthur Currie being knighted.

PASSCHENDAELE

• The battle was a controversial one, involving a dispute between British generals and politicians.

• Germans used mustard gas for the first time, creating muddy conditions for soldiers.

• Heavy rains transformed the area into a sea of mud, causing soldiers to sleep, crawl, fight, and drown.

• British Commander Douglas Haig insisted on the offensive, despite Major General Currie's desire for preparation and anticipated casualties.

• The battle lasted months, with neither side making progress due to the inhospitable conditions.

• The battle was costly, with the British losing 310,000 men and the Germans 260,000.

• Canadian soldiers performed exceptionally and played a key role in securing victory.

• The Canadian Corps helped capture Passchendaele, establishing themselves as an elite fighting Corp.

• Over 15,000 Canadians were killed or wounded.