UNIT 1: #8 WW1 battles Flashcards
When and where did the (2nd) battle of Ypres take place? How many casualties?
Ypres, Belgium, 1915
6000 Canadian casualties , 2000 dead
When and where did the Battle of The Somme take place? How many casualties?
Somme, France, 1916
Allied- 623 907
German- 660 000
Canadian- 24,000
When and where did the Battle of Vimy Ridge take place? How many casualties?
Vimy Ridge, France, 1917
around 10,000 Canadian casualties, 3,000 dead
When and where did the Battle of Passchendaele take place? How many casualties?
Passchendaele, Belgium, 1917
16,000 Canadian casualties
When and where did the Amiens and the last 100 days take place? How many casualties?
Amiens, France to Mons, Belgium, 1918
38,000 Canadian casualties
Describe battle of Ypres (1915) and its significance
1) Germans chose to attack Canadian and French-Algerian troops because they were made of amateur volunteers
2) first time poison (chlorine) gas was used
Significance: although the use of poison gas, Canadian soldiers were able to hold the allied line to Victory, EARNING REPUTATION AS AN EFFECTIVE FIGHTING FORCE.
Describe battle of Somme (1916) and its significance
1) meant to take pressure off of France at Verdun by diverting german resources to Somme instead
2) Bloodiest battle: Mass casualties on all sides because trench ware fare had become ineffective
3) tanks
4) FORCED THE TRANSITION FROM MANPOWER TO FIREPOWER AND NEW INNOVATIVE PLANS OF ATTACK
5) INVENTED CREEPING BARRAGE, CRUCIAL TO SUCCESS IN VIMY RIDGE
Describe battle of Vimy Ridge (1917) and its significance
1) Canadians planed to attack a new way: Artillery would continue to shoot in the back while the troops in the trenches went over the top and charged, degree of artillery changed in time increments
2) extensively planned with trained soldiers who know the plan
3) physiologically weakened german troops with week of suffering
4) HIGHLIGHTED CANADA AS A STRONG FIGHTING FORCE, ABLE TO SECURE THE LARGEST VICTORY OUT OF ALL BRITISH ATTACKS
5) NO LONGER FIGHTING UNDER THE BRITISH ARMY, BUT FIGHTING AS CANADIANS
Describe battle of Passchendaele (1917) and its significance
1) Canadian troops who fought in Vimy Ridge ordered by Douglas Haig to seize Passchendaele, despite Arthur Currie saying no
2) ordered to surrender even after seizing the town
FIRST TIME IN HISTORY WHERE A CANADIAN ARMY HAD FOUGHT UNDER A CANADIAN GENERAL
FORTIFIED CANADA AS THE BEST OFFENSIVE FIGHTING FORCE
Describe battle of Amiens (1918) and its significance
1) Russia pulls out of war because of communist revolution
2) Germany can now focus on fighting only on one front
3) Canadians lead allied advance in the “Hundred Days”, last battle before Germany surrendered
CANADIANS PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN THE VICTORY
Why was it important to Canada to decrease casualty rates?
If Canadians keep dying at such large rates, they cannot demand sovereignty from the British without their own strong army. you need a strong army to demand independence.
Why was being a part of the League of Nations important to Canada?
1) helped to establish its position as a sovereign state
2) helped establish their own foreign affairs
