Canadians in Battle Ypres The Somme
Jan 07, 2016
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