The Battle of the Somme/Vimy Ridge/Arthur Currie

Question 1

Why were the Newfoundlanders fighting only in British units during WWI?

Answer 1

Still a British colony

Question 2

Why did the British launch the assault on the Somme River Valley?

Answer 2

Relieve the pressure at Verdun and help French recover from German assault

Question 3

Who commanded Canadian corps during the Battle of the Somme?

Answer 3

General Douglas Haig

Question 4

Why was the general criticized because of the Battle of the Somme?

Answer 4

He relentlessly ordered Canadian troops to continue attacking despite immense casualties. Hardly any ground was captured.

Question 5

On what holiday in 1917 did the battle of Vimy Ridge begin?

Answer 5

Easter

Question 6

Before the Canadian attack on Vimy Ridge, which nations had attempted to push out the Germans without success?

Answer 6

France and Britain

Question 7

Who commanded Canadian divisions during Vimy Ridge?

Answer 7

Lieutenant General Julian Byng

Question 8

In preparation for Vimy Ridge, who was sent to the Somme to learn what had gone wrong in that battle? What did he figure out?

Answer 8

Arthur Currie. The men were not informed of where to go and what to do. They were devastated by machine guns

Question 9

How did the Lewis machine gun differ from the German Maxim?

Answer 9

Had less range but were great for trench warfare. Light and mobile. Shot in controlled bursts

Question 10

Canadian raids resulted in the capture of ______, that allowed the Allies to create a ______ to help them in the battle.

Answer 10

German prisoners, model of the battlefield

Question 11

Before the battle for Vimy Ridge began, what did Canadians use to take out German artillery guns?

Answer 11

Air reconaissance

Question 12

What is shrapnel?

Answer 12

Bits of metal from exploding shells, used to effectively injure soldiers

Question 13

What is the creeping barrage used in the battle for Vimy Ridge? In what directions could it move?

Answer 13

Artillery slowly moving forward laying down explosions. Followed by infantry hidden from sight. All directions (front, side, back)

Question 14

How fast was the “Vimy glide”?

Answer 14

100 metres in 3 minutes

Question 15

What was the significance of tunnels in Vimy Ridge?

Answer 15

Let troops get to front lines safely

Question 16

How did the Nova Scotia Highlanders help out? Why was it surprising coming from these men?

Answer 16

They rushed the heavily defended hill and took it. They had no combat experience.

Question 17

Why was the battle of Vimy Ridge insignificant to the outcome of the war?

Answer 17

It did not help to end the war. The loss of ground did not mean much to the German army.

Question 18

What job did Julian Byng take after the war?

Answer 18

Governor General of Canada

Question 19

What was the relationship between Arthur Currie and Sam Hughes?

Answer 19

Currie was a friend of Hughe’s son.

Question 20

What was the motive behind Sam Hughes attacking Currie in the House of Commons?

Answer 20

Denied Hughe’s son the chance to command in France because he misinterpreted orders in an earlier battle

Question 21

What is a chateau general? Was Currie considered one?

Answer 21

A general who gives orders from behind the lines. Currie was not, he was always at the front line

Question 22

Why was Currie considered an unconventional general?

Answer 22

Inadequately trained, open to ideas from subordinates

Question 23

When Currie prepares for battle, what does he discover about the British maps?

Answer 23

Useless–mislabeled locations, north pointed down

Question 24

What are some preparations that Currie made for Vimy Ridge?

Answer 24

Pipeline for water, tunnels, roads repaired

Question 25

What is a set-piece attack?

Answer 25

An attack pre-planned in enormous detail

Question 26

Why did Currie nearly lose his career in 1917?

Answer 26

It was revealed that he owed money for the uniforms of the regiment he was commanding and ordered soldiers to pay it off.

Question 27

Why is General Haig remembered from WWI more than Currie?

Answer 27

History remembers the disaster, and Haig was responsible for many deaths.

Question 28

Why is WWI referred to as the “war to end all wars”?

Answer 28

It was hoped that big nations would stop fighting

Question 29

Why was Currie in court in 1928? What was the outcome of this trial?

Answer 29

Sir Sam Hughes accused him of sacrificing men for his own glory. The newspaper stating the accusation was found guilty of libel and Currie sued for $50 000. He was only awarded $500