Canada in WWI: Ypres and Beaumont-Hamel

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Canada's Role on the Western Front: The 2nd Battle of Ypres and the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel

• This focuses on corroborating sources to understand the Canadian perspective and historical significance

2nd Battle of Ypres (April 1915)

• In April 1915, Canadian troops moved to Ypres.
• Germans used poison gas, but it did not immediately help them.
• Canadian troops attempted to close the gap, but sustained many losses.
• Canadian troops held the line despite gas attacks.

Battle of the Somme (Beaumont-Hamel) (July 1916)

• Britain's declaration of war on Germany meant Canada and Newfoundland were also at war.
• Newfoundland Regiment assembled and trained in October
• The Somme in Western Europe was chosen.
• On the 1st day of the Battle of the Somme, Newfoundland Regiment set up near the village of Beaumont-Hamel.
• Canada had major losses with about 37,000 men getting killed due to Germans using heavy gunfire.

Significance of the Battles

The 2nd Battle of Ypres

• Canada established itself as a formidable fighting force.
• Losses amounted to 6,035 men in 48 hours, posing a problem due to Canada's limited forces.
• Germany used chemical gas.

The Battle of Beaumont-Hamel

• Beaumont-Hamel became one of the first World War memorial sites in Europe.
• The artillery barrage and barbed wire left troops stranded.
• Names of 800+ soldiers who died are listed at the memorial.

The Battle of Vimy Ridge (April 9th, 1917)

• A key German position in Northern France gave the Germans a clear line of sight of all Allied advances.
• Germans had developed 3 highly defended lines they thought couldn't be breached.
• Vimy Ridge attack was part of a larger plan for mass movement on either front.
• Over 100,000 men from Canadian Divisions 1-4 would coordinate in assault, meaning complete failure if they did not, they would be destroyed.
• Considered the birthplace of the Canadian nation.
• General Sir Julian Byng and General Arthur Currie were key leaders.

Innovations Used

• Platoon system (working as a team with different teams)
• Communication (assistance with fully informed men)
• Indirect machine-gun fire (offensive machine gun)
• Artillery preparations ("the week of suffering")
• The Rolling Barrage (dangerous but effective cover)
• Good intelligence (trench raids/air spotters & triangulated enemy fire)
• 11,000 guns opened up on ridge, and 1,000's of Germans were taken
• The "Pimple" and Hill 145 taken through fighting.
• At the end all objectives had been met; German counterattacks were avoided.

WWI Propaganda

• Propaganda is specifically designed to shape people's beliefs.
• All countries used propaganda posters during WWI.
• Justified participation, helped with recruiting, raised funds, and urged conservation.
• Posters were cheap and effective, especially since television had not been invented.
• Name calling
• Card stacking
• Band wagon
• Testimonials
• Plain folks
• Transfer
• Glittering generality

The Final Chapter

• In 1917, the U.S. entered the war and Russia surrendered.
• Germany realized Austria-Hungary was near collapse.
• Germany tried and failed to launch a major offensive attack.
• Canada and its Allies stopped just 80 km from Paris.

The Conscription Crisis

• In 1917, with increasing casualties, Robert Borden decided conscription addressed the problem.
• Sir Wilfred Laurier opposed the idea because the province of Quebec would likely tear the country apart.
• Military Service Act passed in summer 1917.
• Called an election for December 17, 1917 for the issue of debate.
• Wartime Elections Act extended the vote to female relatives of soldiers.
• Halifax Explosion helped Borden gain support.

Groups For and Against Conscription

• For: Wives, mothers, children of soldiers, veterans, soldiers, British immigrants, Conservatives, and older Canadians.
• Against: French-Canadians, pacifists, Liberals, Indigenous Canadians, and Conscientious Objectors.
• Borden won the election.
• The Military Service Act was introduced.
• Riots spread across French Canada
• More than 400,000 men across Canada received a letter ordering them to report for duty.
• There are many exemptions to the law, with almost 94% requesting to be excused.
• Only approximately 24,000 conscripts fought in Europe.
• Physical clash between English Canadians and French-Canadian nationalism.
• The War Measures Act was used to control riots.
• There were 150 casualties with 4 civilians killed.

Interview with Lester Stevens: 8th Battalion (2nd Battle of Ypres)

• Stood up to get head above the gas cloud.
• Rapid firing at the Germans to survive.
• Germans did not realize the success of the gas attack.
• Currie told Lipsett to retire, who then said they could actually still hold on.

Interview with Arthur Raley: Royal Newfoundland Regiment (The Battle of Beaumont Hamel)

• It was something, actually, that wasn't a battle.
• Very little infantry and machine gun fire.
• Field to advance had a gentle slope.
• The men had tin plated triangles on their backs.
• Saw a signaller go down on the hill waving a signal.