The Second Battle of Ypres

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The Second Battle of Ypres

• April May, 1915

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As It Began

• This was the first major battle for the Canadians
• This was also the first time Chlorine gas was
  used on the Western Front.

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• No one knew or understood what
• chemical weapons could do.

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The Structure

• British troops were to the right of the
  Canadians.
• Algerian and French troops were to the left.
• The gas attack first hit the Algerians who, not
  knowing what it was, fled the field.

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Chlorine Gas

• 57,350 canisters (160 tons) of chlorine gas was
  released by the Germans
• The gas is an acid that eats away at the lining
  of the eyes, nose, throat, ears, and skin of its
  victim.

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Canadas Response

• Seeing the four mile gap left in the line by the
  fleeing soldiers, the Canadians thinned their own
  line to cover the gap.
• They, too were hit with gas, but these men did
  not retreat. Rather, they soaked their
  handkerchiefs in urine, wrapped them around their
  noses and mouths, and held the line.

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Aftermath

• Canadian troops earned four Victoria Crosses that
  day
• 59,000 allied casualties
• 6,000 Canadian dead,
• missing or wounded
• The Canadian reputation as a
• tough fighting force was born
• John McRae wrote the very famous poem, In
  Flanders Fields
• http//www.youtube.com/watch?v7u-Xo0Jn4Bwsafety_
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Ypres Remembers

• Today a memorial marks the spot of Canadas
  amazing stand.

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Additional Stories

• Ross Rifle Scandal
• Uniforms and Boots

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Crucified Canadian Soldier (Canadas Galgotha)