Canadians in Battle

YpresThe Somme

Organization of Note

• When and Where• The Goal/Objective• What is the Battle known for?• Evidence of Canadian Bravery/Skill• Number of Casualties

YPRES

YPRESWhen and Where• Ypres, Belgium – April 22, 1915 (second

battle), 4 days long

YPRESThe Goal/Main Objective• To help hold 3.5 km of the front line during

German attack

YPRESWhat is the battle known for?• Was the first poison gas attack in history. • Chlorine gas was used

YPRES Evidence of Bravery/Skill of Canadians

• Canadian were the only troops able to hold their position

• A Canadian medical officer came up with solution for gas – urine on cloth

• They stalled the German advance, winning high praise for their courage

YPRESNumber of Canadian Casualties• More than 6000

Battle of the SOMME

Battle of the SommeWhen and Where• The Somme, France – fought from July 1 to

November 18, 1916 (5 months)

Battle of the SommeThe Goal/Main Objective• For Britain to relieve pressures on French at

Verdun, use forces at the Somme so Germans would have to fight in two places.

• To bombard German lines for 5 days straight to knock out defenses.

Battle of the SommeWhat is the battle known for?• Going “over the top”, climbing out of trenches

to advance on enemy• Plans gone wrong = largest single day of

casualties ever• First use of tanks

Battle of the SommeEvidence of Bravery/Skill of Canadians• Canadian corps fought as part of the British

forces, under General Haig• Heroism marked Canadians as “storm

troopers”, often brought in to lead attacks• Newfoundland regiment joined British on the

first day, suffered major losses

Battle of the SommeNumber of Canadian Casualties• On first day, 57 470 British and Canadian• 24 000 total Canadians• 90% of the Newfoundland Regiment was killed

or wounded in 30 minutes