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The battle of the second Ypres was fought for control of the strategic land of the Flemish town of Ypres in Western Belgium. The first battle of Ypres was Partially won by the Germans gaining some ground. This second battle was Canada's troops first major battle in WW1. 6,500 Soldiers enter battle in Germany. -
Mustard gas was first used in warfare against the Canadian/British Army during the Second Battle of Ypres. During WW1, this was the first of several gas attacks. The British and French were caught off guard by the onslaught and had no idea what to do or expect. Despite the fact that they were fortunate enough to avoid the worst of the storm, they were nevertheless in excruciating pain as they coughed up blood and their lungs. -
When WW1 broke, Newfoundland was not apart of Canada. Being apart of the British empire automatically drew them into the War. However, they responded with great patremism and gained many soldiers. On July 1 at 7:30 am they rushed across “No Mans Land” in daylight with French soldiers. With 800 Newfoundlanders that went into battle only 68 remained. The regiment would then earn the official designation "Royal" from the British Crown in recognition of its efforts throughout the rest of the War. -
This victory at Vimy Ridge is what many say took Canada out from under the British Shell. With over 100,000 casualties, the Canadian forces took action at an open graveyard. On April 9th 1917 at 5:30am, Canadian divisions attacked the ridge. The Canadian troops single-handedly charged protective dugouts guarded with machine guns and forced a surrender. Within 3 days, victory came upon the soldiers. As Brigadier-General Ross proclaimed: “In those few minutes I witnessed the birth of a nation.” -
When the Canadians captured Hill 70 it helped allied forces gain position over the city of Lens. General Arthur Currie lead the troops, Currie was the first Canadian put in charge of the corps. The army attacked at 4:25 am on the 15 of August, 1917. By 6 a.m, the Canadian troops had achieved their early goals. The Canadians eventually captured Hill 70. Unfortunately, by the first day, 1,056 Canadians were dead, 2,432 were wounded, and 39 were taken prisoner. The death of Germans remains unknown. -
This was the Final Battle of Ypres also known as the Battle of Passchendaele on the Western Front, in Belgium. This was the land the Germans and Allied forces had been in a stand still for 3 years of the War. The Canadian Troops attacked on October 26 after failed missions by the British, Australian and New Zealand Troops. They Captured the Ridge on November, 6, 1917. -
Canada's Final Hundred Days of WW1 began with hope and promise that they would finally be able to go home for Christmas like they were promised. It began in Amiens, France and ended in Mons, Belgium. The Allies knew that the Germans were exhausted and had to finish it. Sadly, there were 6,800 killed and 39,000 wounded soldiers. Their sacrifices will never go unnoticed and helped the allies move more than 130 Km to advance into the enemy line and help make the Germans surrender and end the war. -
Following 4 Years of Battle and over 650,000 Canadian WW1 enlisted troops with 61,000 deaths and another 172,000 wounded. An armistice was called at 11Am on November 11 bringing an end to the Great War. The Germans had surrendered and agreed to the allied terms and conditions officially at 5:45Am. This brought the Victory For The Candians and Allies and concluded WW1.