4 Key Canadian Battles in WW 1 The

4 Key Canadian Battles in WW 1

The Beginning • 1914 – Canada Automatically at war. • Leader of opposition Wilfred Laurier declares Canada is ‘Ready, Aye Ready’ to serve Britain. • Promised 25, 000 troops • 30, 000 signed up in the first month alone • Went to Europe as CEF (Canadian Expeditionary force) • Beginning of stronger National Identity • Tensions between groups – Aboriginal Canadians not welcomed – officially banned but this was often ignored. – African and Japanese Canadians not promoted - "This is not for you fellows, this is a white man's war. “ – NS recruitment officer to – French and English Canada fighting in separate units

4 Key Canadian Battles 1. April 1915 – Ypres • Gas used for the first time • 6000 Canadians killed or wounded 2. July 1916 – Battle of the Somme • German lines bombarded for one week. Hid in bunkers, very little damage • Soldiers instructed by Haig to walk toward machine gun fire • 85% of Newfoundland regiment killed or wounded in first 30 minutes • Lasted 6 months. Haig never visited the front to see reality

4 Key Canadian battles 3. April 1917 – Vimy Ridge • Canadian Forces capture important high ground in 3 days • Prepared in advance by practising on similar terrain • Both French and British forces had previously tried and failed. • 3500 killed, 7000 wounded • US editorial called it a “Canadian Victory” • Canada getting international recognition as Canada and not Britain.

4 key Canadian battles 4. July 1917 - Passchendaele • Canadian general Arthur Currie in command of Canadian troops for first time • Scouted Passchendaele and complained to Haig and British high command • Said suicidal and not willing to risk Canadian troops • Haig refused to change plan. • 15, 000 Canadian dead.