The Evolution of the Canadian Corps

1

The Evolution of the Canadian The Evolution of the Canadian CorpsCorps

The Evolution of the Canadian The Evolution of the Canadian CorpsCorps

2

The “Founding Nation” mythThe “Founding Nation” mythThe “Founding Nation” mythThe “Founding Nation” myth

3

Dealing with the Myths of the Dealing with the Myths of the Great WarGreat War

Dealing with the Myths of the Dealing with the Myths of the Great WarGreat War

• “The Founding Nation” myth– Canada becomes a country on 9 April 1917

• “The War is Hell” myth– Passchaendaele

• “The Founding Nation” myth– Canada becomes a country on 9 April 1917

• “The War is Hell” myth– Passchaendaele

4

Richard Jack (1866-1952)Richard Jack (1866-1952)The Taking of Vimy RidgeThe Taking of Vimy RidgeRichard Jack (1866-1952)Richard Jack (1866-1952)The Taking of Vimy RidgeThe Taking of Vimy Ridge

5

1916: The Year of Killing1916: The Year of Killing1916: The Year of Killing1916: The Year of Killing

• Verdun: February-December 1916– 750,000 German and French casualties total

• The Somme: 1 July-18 November 1916– 415,000 British casualties– 195,000 French casualties– ??????? German casualties

• Verdun: February-December 1916– 750,000 German and French casualties total

• The Somme: 1 July-18 November 1916– 415,000 British casualties– 195,000 French casualties– ??????? German casualties

6

1916: A Pivotal Year1916: A Pivotal Year

• January: Borden announces a ceiling of January: Borden announces a ceiling of 500,000 men overseas500,000 men overseas

• A new commitment, but the volunteers A new commitment, but the volunteers begin to dry upbegin to dry up

7

8

The Canadian Corps at the The Canadian Corps at the Somme, 1916Somme, 1916

• Flers-Courcellette, SeptemberFlers-Courcellette, September– 5,959 casualties5,959 casualties

• Thiepval Ridge, SeptemberThiepval Ridge, September

• Le Translloy Ridges, OctoberLe Translloy Ridges, October– 7,887 casualties7,887 casualties

• Regina Trench, October-NovemberRegina Trench, October-November

• Desire Trench, October-NovemberDesire Trench, October-November– Casualties 3 Sept-16 OctoberCasualties 3 Sept-16 October

• 19,423 19,423

9

A Political Crisis, 1916A Political Crisis, 1916

• Sam Hughes is outSam Hughes is out– ““the greatest block to the successful termination the greatest block to the successful termination

of the war has been removed. Joy, Oh Joy”of the war has been removed. Joy, Oh Joy”

• A New Order to the War effortA New Order to the War effort– Ministry of Overseas Forces establishedMinistry of Overseas Forces established

10

A Political Crisis, 1916A Political Crisis, 1916

• Henri Bourassa, Henri Bourassa, ““The Prussians are Next Door”The Prussians are Next Door”

The Father of Bilingual Canada?The Father of Bilingual Canada?

or Nationalist Bigot?or Nationalist Bigot?

11

1917: The Pivotal Year 1917: The Pivotal Year

• The Imperial War CabinetThe Imperial War Cabinet– Canada gains a VoiceCanada gains a Voice– Resolution IX: Autonomous members of Resolution IX: Autonomous members of

the Commonwealththe Commonwealth

• ““We Need More Men”We Need More Men”

12

1917: The Year of Catastrophe1917: The Year of Catastrophe1917: The Year of Catastrophe1917: The Year of Catastrophe

• New political leadership– David Lloyd George, Great Britain replaces

Asquith– Imperial War Cabinet– March, riots break out in Petrograd

• New military leadership– General Nivelle, French Army replaces Joffre

• New political leadership– David Lloyd George, Great Britain replaces

Asquith– Imperial War Cabinet– March, riots break out in Petrograd

• New military leadership– General Nivelle, French Army replaces Joffre

13

1917: A new Allied offensive1917: A new Allied offensive1917: A new Allied offensive1917: A new Allied offensive

• General Nivelle promises a decisive end to the war– to win the war in 48 hours– 3 armies, 27 divisions

• The British to create a diversion for a French “mass of maneuver”

• General Nivelle promises a decisive end to the war– to win the war in 48 hours– 3 armies, 27 divisions

• The British to create a diversion for a French “mass of maneuver”

14

15

16

The Battle of Arras, April 1917The Battle of Arras, April 1917The Battle of Arras, April 1917The Battle of Arras, April 1917

17

Canadian Corps Commander, Canadian Corps Commander, Julian ByngJulian Byng

– 4 Division: Watson 4 Division: Watson – 3 Division: Lipsett3 Division: Lipsett– 2 Division: Burstall 2 Division: Burstall – 1 Division: Currie1 Division: Currie

18

The Role of Arthur CurrieThe Role of Arthur CurrieThe Role of Arthur CurrieThe Role of Arthur Currie

• The lessons of Verdun• rehearsals/rehearsals/

rehearsals• better small unit

tactics/weaponry• better use of

manpower• but was he alone?

• The lessons of Verdun• rehearsals/rehearsals/

rehearsals• better small unit

tactics/weaponry• better use of

manpower• but was he alone?

19

The PreparationsThe PreparationsThe PreparationsThe Preparations

• Artillery– 245 heavy guns and howitzers

• (one heavy gun every 20 yards)

– 600 field guns • (one field gun 10 yards)

– two week bombardment• trenches, dug-outs, machine gun pits, ammo dumps

– A rolling barrage to guide the assault

• Artillery– 245 heavy guns and howitzers

• (one heavy gun every 20 yards)

– 600 field guns • (one field gun 10 yards)

– two week bombardment• trenches, dug-outs, machine gun pits, ammo dumps

– A rolling barrage to guide the assault

20

VimyVimyVimyVimy

Currie

21

Vimy RidgeVimy RidgeVimy RidgeVimy Ridge

• The Achievement:– 4500 yards gained

– 54 German guns

– 4,000 German prisoners

• The Cost:– 10,602 all ranks

– 3598 fatal wounds

• The Achievement:– 4500 yards gained

– 54 German guns

– 4,000 German prisoners

• The Cost:– 10,602 all ranks

– 3598 fatal wounds

22

A Wider AssessmentA Wider AssessmentA Wider AssessmentA Wider Assessment

• The Battle of Arras began brilliantly . . . yet in proportion to its promise this series of engagements appears on reflection profoundly disappointing.”– History of the Great War, 1940, vol. 7: 550.

• The Battle of Arras began brilliantly . . . yet in proportion to its promise this series of engagements appears on reflection profoundly disappointing.”– History of the Great War, 1940, vol. 7: 550.

23

1917: A Wider Assessment1917: A Wider Assessment1917: A Wider Assessment1917: A Wider Assessment

• The Americans enter the War

• The Russians sue for peace

• The British try again at Ypres– Messine ( a great success)– Passchendaele (a costly success)

• The Americans enter the War

• The Russians sue for peace

• The British try again at Ypres– Messine ( a great success)– Passchendaele (a costly success)

24

1917: A Wider Canadian 1917: A Wider Canadian AssessmentAssessment

1917: A Wider Canadian 1917: A Wider Canadian AssessmentAssessment

• Vimy leads directly to conscription

• December 1917: a Unionist government imposes compulsory overseas service

• A nation divided?

• Vimy leads directly to conscription

• December 1917: a Unionist government imposes compulsory overseas service

• A nation divided?

25

Gyrth Russell (1892-1970)Gyrth Russell (1892-1970)The Crest of Vimy RidgeThe Crest of Vimy Ridge

Gyrth Russell (1892-1970)Gyrth Russell (1892-1970)The Crest of Vimy RidgeThe Crest of Vimy Ridge

26

Borden’s DecisionBorden’s Decision

• May 1917: announces introduction of May 1917: announces introduction of Conscription, but only after an electionConscription, but only after an election

• Asks Laurier to form a coalition governmentAsks Laurier to form a coalition government– he attracts many Liberalshe attracts many Liberals

• Laurier asks for a plebiscite, but is refusedLaurier asks for a plebiscite, but is refused

27

The Wartime ElectionThe Wartime Election

• Wartime Elections ActWartime Elections Act– women can vote, but only if related to a soldierwomen can vote, but only if related to a soldier– Immigrants since 1902 cannot vote, even if they Immigrants since 1902 cannot vote, even if they

had voted beforehad voted before

28

the Unionist Platformthe Unionist Platform

This is not an ElectionThis is not an Election

It is a Battle with the HunIt is a Battle with the Hun““Whose cause will be injured IF you cast your Whose cause will be injured IF you cast your

vote for Laurier and Bourassa?--Canada’s and vote for Laurier and Bourassa?--Canada’s and the Alliesthe Allies

Your Duty is ClearYour Duty is Clear

Support Union GovernmentSupport Union Government

29

The Military Service ActThe Military Service Act

• goal: 100,000 men goal: 100,000 men

• Over 90% of requests for exemptions are Over 90% of requests for exemptions are acceptedaccepted– a “generous” document?a “generous” document?

• Was it necessary?Was it necessary?

30

Currie on ConscriptionCurrie on Conscription

• A political move, so he was opposed to itA political move, so he was opposed to it

• But did he benefit from it?But did he benefit from it?

31

Currie’s CorpsCurrie’s Corps

• Canadian Corps 25 August 1918:Canadian Corps 25 August 1918:– total strength 101,599total strength 101,5991st DivisionA. Macdonnell

2 DivisionH. Burstell

3 DivisionL.J. Lipsett

4 DivisionD.W.Watson

32

Canadian CorpsCanadian CorpsCanadian CorpsCanadian Corps

• Far stronger than its British counterparts– 12 battalions for each division, each with 100

more men– British, 9 battalions for each division

• Far stronger than its British counterparts– 12 battalions for each division, each with 100

more men– British, 9 battalions for each division

33

Currie’s CorpsCurrie’s Corps• Well organizedWell organized

– more engineersmore engineers

• Well rehearsedWell rehearsed

• A tried tactical doctrineA tried tactical doctrine– machine gunsmachine guns– some tankssome tanks– artilleryartillery– infantryinfantry

34

35

The Final Hundred DaysThe Final Hundred Days

• 8 August- 11 November 19188 August- 11 November 1918– The Canadian Corps is at the vanguard of the The Canadian Corps is at the vanguard of the

Allied advanceAllied advance

• 8 August8 August– Amiens “The Black Day of the German Army”Amiens “The Black Day of the German Army”– Canadian Casualties: 12,652Canadian Casualties: 12,652

36

The Final Hundred DaysThe Final Hundred Days

• September/October 1918September/October 1918– Bourlon and CambraiBourlon and Cambrai– Canadian Casualties: 14,849Canadian Casualties: 14,849– Reinforcements: 10,881Reinforcements: 10,881

• October/11 November 1918October/11 November 1918– Douai and MonsDouai and Mons– Casualties: 10,177Casualties: 10,177

37

The Final Hundred DaysThe Final Hundred Days

• August/September 1918August/September 1918– Arras, Drocourt-Queant LineArras, Drocourt-Queant Line– Casualties: 14,349Casualties: 14,349– Reinforcements: 12, 768Reinforcements: 12, 768

38

The Final Hundred The Final Hundred Days/CambraiDays/Cambrai

39

The Final Hundred DaysThe Final Hundred Days

• ““An army of technicians”An army of technicians”

• Canadians engagedCanadians engaged 105,000105,000

• Prisoners takenPrisoners taken 31,53731,537

• Distance advancedDistance advanced 86 miles86 miles

• German Divisions defeatedGerman Divisions defeated 4747

• Total Canadian CasualtiesTotal Canadian Casualties 45,83045,830

40

Nation-building or Dividing?Nation-building or Dividing?

• 1914: A colonial power1914: A colonial power

• 1919: Canada a signatory on the Treaty 1919: Canada a signatory on the Treaty of Versaillesof Versailles

• 66,000 Canadian dead66,000 Canadian dead

• Was it Worth It? Was it Worth It?