Canadian Battles of WW1

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Canadian Battles of WW1

• TDSB

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Trial By Fire The Second Battle of Ypres

• Canadas first experience in battle occurred at
  the small Belgian town of Ypres
• Canadian and French-Algerian troops were assigned
  to hold a bulge in the front lines, surrounded
  by Germans on three sides

• The Germans planned to take this position by
  using a new weapon never before tested in battle
  POISOIN GAS!

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The Ypres Salient
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Gas Attack!

• On April 22, 1915 Germans opened up the valves on
  5730 cannisters of chlorine gas.
• The gas drifted over the battle field and
  silently sank into the trenches behind it came
  100,000 German troops outfitted with gas masks
• As the gas slid into the trenches soldiers
  grasped their throats in agony, fell to the
  ground and thrashed about
• The French troops faced the heaviest
  concentration of gas and fled their trenches -

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What can we learn about the expectations of
soldiers from this primary source? Why would
the government feel the need to censor letters?
Do you believe this was necessary?

• The following is a letter sent by a Canadian
  soldier on April 22nd, just before the Second
  Battle of Ypres broke out. Although heavily
  censored by Canadian intelligence, we can guess
  what had been censored out by knowing the context
  of the battle.

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• Soldiers on the front line were poorly equipped
  no gas masks were provided despite the fact the
  allied commanders knew a gas attack was likely
• Canadians showed great resourcefulness by
  holding urine soaked handkerchiefs over their
  face
• The Canadian troops held their position and even
  extended their lines to close the gaps left by
  the retreating French

Francis Alexander Caron Scrimger. Capt. Scrimger,
with the 2nd Canadian Field Ambulance, may have
passed the order to use urine to counteract the
gas. Captain Scrimger received a Victoria Cross
for other actions on 25 April. 1915.
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Soldiers with improvised gas masks

• Soldiers on the front lines urinated on their
  handkerchiefs and strapped them over their faces
  uric acid neutralizes chlorine. The solution was
  not perfect as many still suffered damaged lungs
  and the eyes were left unprotected. Many
  soldiers were left permanently blind.

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British Soldiers Blinded by Gas Attack
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• Canadians were the only troops to hold their
  position after being gassed and the only troops
  to lead a successful counter attack at Ypres
• The Cost
• 6035 casualties
• 2000 dead
• Our soldiers paid a heavy price for their
  courage
• Canadian troops earned a reputation as tough
  courageous fighters who would not easily be
  defeated!

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John MacRae at Ypres

• During the second battle of Ypres, the Canadian
  Army surgeon John McCrae wrote "In Flanders
  Fields" near here in 1915 after burying a close
  friend
• The site of an Advanced Dressing Station, the
  surgeons' dug-outs can still be seen next to the
  cemetery.

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• In Flanders Fields the poppies blow Between the
  crosses row on row, That mark our place and in
  the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly
  Scarce heard amid the guns below.
• We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt
  dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and
  now we lie In Flanders fields.
• Take up our quarrel with the foe To you from
  failing hands we throw The torch be yours to
  hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die
  We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In
  Flanders fields.

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Photo of a gas attack (note the importance of
knowing wind direction)
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Canadian Soldier with Mustard Gas Burns
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