Canada's+Role+in+WW1

Alyssa, period 1. sources: Wikipedia [|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_history_of_Canada_during_World_War_I#Western_Front] , []

__Land Contribution__ Nueve Chapelle: First Canadian battle in WW1 in France. The Canadian Expeditionary Force was instructed to prevent the Germans from gaining Nueve Chapelle. This would allow the British Army to push through the German line and created a new front line. Though both British and Canadian troops failed to keep Germans out of the area, Canadian soldiers got a lesson out of it. They found out that artillery bombardment was too light to beat down enemy trenches.

Second Battle of Ypres: In April 1915 Canadian soldiers were moved to assist the salient where other Allied troops pushed the German Line out. On April 22 Germans tried to eliminate the salient by using 160 tons of chlorine gas cylinders dug in their trenches (first use of gas). As yellow-green clouds drifted over Canadian soldiers and they crumbled, troops weren’t able to handle this weapon and died or broke and fled. A Canadian soldier discovered how to neutralize chlorine gas by pressuring urine rags over noses and mouths. Canadians were the other army able to hold the line. Leading to Canadians fighting throughout the night.

Battle of Somme: In July to November 1916 Canadians fought in this battle. It was known to be the largest massacre over 57,550 casualties in one day. Newfoundland Army had 801 men involved, 68 men not responding, 255 dead, 386 wounded and 91 missing. During this time Newfoundland was not officially apart of Canada, they joined Canada 32 years after in 1949. Canadian troops took part in the battle by helping secure the town of Courcelette, France. On September 15 they attacked the German trenches and finally secured the trenches by November 11. The Battle of Somme had 24,029 Canadian Casualties.But it also gave the Canadian army a good reputation

Battle of Vimy Ridge: The first battle where all four Canadian divisions were assembled to fight as a group. They began on April 9 1917. The troops used every artillery piece and began firing. Light field guns let them advance 100 yards every three minutes. The first, second and third Canadian divisions captured their first objective at 6:25 am and the fourth division had lots of difficulties and weren't able to capture their area till hours later On April 10 the Canadian Bridage attack captured the German trenches bringing the battle to an end. On April 12 the Canadian forces had full control of Vimy Ridge. They suffered 10,602 casualties, 3,598 killed and 7,004 wounded.

Battle of Passchendaele: Four divisions on Canadian Army moved to the Ypres salient made advances to Passchendaele from Gravenstafel Ridge on October 18. The Canadian army had three series of execution to take over Passchendaele. The first stage began on the morning of October 26 the third Canadian division invaded the northern flank of Bellevue spur. The fourth division took over the Ypres-Roulers railway. The second stage began on October 30 and it was meant to capture the places that weren't captured during the first stage and gain Passchendale. Between the second and third there was a seven day pause to help the soldiers regain strength. The third stage began on November 6 with the first and second Division taking over the front. After a maximum of three hours many of the soldiers had reached Passchendaele. Casualties for the Canadian troops was 15,654 with over 4,00 dead in 16 days of fighting.

Hundred Days Offensive: These final months of war Canadian troops were placed in several areas and given the task to take over the German forces. Between August 26 and September 2 1918 the Canadian Army launched many attacks near German front and on September 17 they broke through the Hindenburg line. On October 11, 1918 Canadian forces drove through the Germans at their main area in Battle of Cambrai. The final 100 days if war the Canadian troops successfully marched to Mons. They suffered 46,000 casualties and the last Canadian killed in WW1 was on November 11 and 11am.

__Air Contribution__ Canadian excelled in Aerial combat. They provided the Allied forces with many members on the Royal Flying Corps, the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Air Force. More than 23,000 Canadian men served with the British Forces and over 1,500 died. The British Common wealth strongest and highest scoring pilot was Lieutenant Colonel W.A Bishop VC with 72 victories.