Majorcanadianbattlesinww1 110324213227-phpapp02

Majorcanadianbattlesinww1 110324213227-phpapp02

• 1.
  Major Canadian Battlesin WW1
• 2.
  First Battle ofYpresApril 22-24 19156035 Canadian casualties in 48 hours, over 2000 diedCanadians held a salient (a bulge) in the line in front of the townOn the 22 Germans attacked with artillery and chlorine gas, followed up by infantry attacksThe French, who were to the left of the Canadians retreated, the Canadians counterattacked and filled the gap left by the French
• 4.
  Battle of BeaumontHamelJuly 1, 1916Opening battle of the larger, Battle of The Somme Artillery was to soften up infantry targets but either missed or was ineffectiveGermans knew of the coming Allied attackNewfoundlanders moved overnight to Allied trenchesAt 8:45 they attacked across no man’s landThey were to attempt to march in formation, uphill, through barbed wire, in broad daylight, 900 meters to enemy lines, then fightThe battle was over in less than an hour733 of 801 Newfoundlanders were killed or wounded
• 6.
  Battle of VimyRidgeApril9-12 1917, over 40,000 Canadian soldiers involvedThe ridge was the highest point in a large areaPrevious attacks had been made by the French and British, now it was Canada’s turnThere was massive preparation, including observation balloons and a 3 week artillery barrageThe battle began on April 9, Canadians took the ridge that afternoonOn April 12 Canadians took Hill 145 and “the pimple” a hill on the North end of the ridge10,602 Canadians wounded, 3,598 dead
• 8.
  Battle of PasschendaeleJuly31-November 1917, Canadians involved on October 26, 20,000 Canadians involvedHeavy rains and artillery turned the battlefield into a field of mud so thick soldiers and horses drownedObjective was to take the village of PasschendaeleOn October 30 the assault on the village began, one week later it was taken15,654 Canadian casualties, 4,028 of which were killed
• 11.
  Battle of AmiensAugust8-11, 1918Approximately 22,000 Allied casualties and 24,000 German casualties, 50,000 German soldiers taken prisonerJust over 9,000 Canadian casualtiesFirst tank vs. Tank battle in historyThe Allies wanted to take back land that the Germans took in the spring and relieve pressure on the French at Verdun