Stock photo 1263466 wwi cemetery in verdun

Canada's Last Hundred Days

By Erin Hansel

  • Battle of Amiens

    Battle of Amiens
    • This battle was the beginning of the end to the German armies
    • At the end of Day 1, Canada had advanced 12 kilometres, captured over 5,000 German prisoners, and over 160 guns
    • Day 2 resulted in the Canadians advancing another 6.5
      kilometers, although suffering almost 3,000 casualties
    • 4 Victoria Cross honours were awarded to Canadians on each of the first two days of battle
    • Canadians fought under the British 4th Army
    • The battle lasted until August 11th
  • Period: to

    Canada's Last Hundred Days

  • The Battle of the Scarpe

    The Battle of the Scarpe
    Day 1 - Canadians advance 5.5 kilometres, and seize the towns of Monchy-le-Preux and Wancourt Day 2 - Progress only 3 kilometres due to poor weather conditions Day 3 - Canadians take over important portion of the Germans strong Fresnes-Rouvroy defense system, captured over 3,300 prisoners, 53 guns and 519 machine guns Day 4 - Seize Bench Farm and Victoria Copse, and establish posts right up the Scarpe River Day 5 - Last day of battle. Canadians successfully stop German counter attack

  • Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Line

    Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Line
    Day 1 - Canadians attack the Drocourt-Queant Line, capturing the Buissy Switch and the villages of Villers-lez-Cagnicourt, Cagnicourt, and Dury. Red Line, which was the main priority was also attained. Canadians were awarded 7 Victoria Cross honours on this day. Day 2 - By dusk, the Canadians dominated all area west of the Canal du Nord, from Sains-lez-Marquion to the Sensée River. The casualties from the past 3 days of battle totalled 297 officers and 5,325 other ranks.

  • The Battle of the Canal du Nord

    The Battle of the Canal du Nord
    • Occurred between September 27 and October 2
    • This battle was an allied offensive attack on the German positions along the Western Front
    • It took place in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais part of France, along a section of the Canal du Nord, as well as the borders of Cambrai
    • On Sept. 27, Canada had three Victoria Cross recipients
    • In five days of fighting, the Canadian Corps had captured more than 7,000 prisoners and 205 guns.
    • The battle resulted in an allied victory over the Germans

  • The Battle of Cambrai

    The Battle of Cambrai
    • Also referred to as the Second Battle of Cambrai
    • This battle occurred between October 8th and October 10th, in Cambrai, France
    • The Canadian 3rd Division, fought along side the British 1st and 3rd Divisions, against the German armies
    • The battle was fought over the Hindenburg Line
    • Tanks played an important key in the battle, resulting in light casualties, and caused the war not to last as long as it was expected

  • The Battle of the Selle

    The Battle of the Selle
    • Battle lasted from October 9th to October 12th.
    Day 1 - 2nd Canadian Division captured the towns of Ramillies, Escaudoeuvres, and Eswars northeast of Cambrai Day 2 - Canadians seized the villages of Thun-Saint-Martin and Naves, 2-3 km further east Day 3 - 2nd Canadian Division advances 3 km, and establishes a position on the Iwuy spur Day 4 - 2nd Canadian Infantry Division is joined by the 1st Canadian Division, and the 56th British Division, extending their front to Aubencheul-au-Bac

  • The Battle of Valenciennes

    The Battle of Valenciennes
    • Lasted from November 1st to Novermber 2nd
    • The Canadian 3rd and 4th Divisions fought under the commandment of Canadian General Arthur Currie
    • Hugh Cairns was a recipient of a Victoria Cross award for his superior bravery in this battle.
    He was the last of 71 Canadians to be awarded this honour in the First World War. In March 1936, one of the main streets in Valenciennes was named after him called "Avenue du Sergent Cairns".

  • Death of Private George Lawrence Price

    Death of Private George Lawrence Price
    (December 15, 1892 – November 11, 1918)
    • George Lawrence Price was a Canadian soldier who was conscripted on October 15, 1917, and served with the 28th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force
    • He was shot near the heart at 10:58 a.m., November 11, 1918
    • His death came 2 minutes before the armistice came into effect at 11:00am, which would end the war
    • Price was the last Canadian soldier to die on the Western Front in the First World War