The Evolution of the Canadian Corps

1. The Evolution of the Canadian Corps

2. The “Founding Nation” myth

3. Dealing with the Myths of the Great War • “The Founding Nation” myth • Canada becomes a country on 9 April 1917 • “The War is Hell” myth • Passchaendaele

4. Richard Jack (1866-1952)The Taking of Vimy Ridge

5. 1916: The Year of Killing • Verdun: February-December 1916 • 750,000 German and French casualties total • The Somme: 1 July-18 November 1916 • 415,000 British casualties • 195,000 French casualties • ??????? German casualties

6. 1916: A Pivotal Year • January: Borden announces a ceiling of 500,000 men overseas • A new commitment, but the volunteers begin to dry up

8. The Canadian Corps at the Somme, 1916 • Flers-Courcellette, September • 5,959 casualties • Thiepval Ridge, September • Le Translloy Ridges, October • 7,887 casualties • Regina Trench, October-November • Desire Trench, October-November • Casualties 3 Sept-16 October • 19,423

9. A Political Crisis, 1916 • Sam Hughes is out • “the greatest block to the successful termination of the war has been removed. Joy, Oh Joy” • A New Order to the War effort • Ministry of Overseas Forces established

10. A Political Crisis, 1916 • Henri Bourassa, “The Prussians are Next Door” The Father of Bilingual Canada? or Nationalist Bigot?

11. 1917: The Pivotal Year • The Imperial War Cabinet • Canada gains a Voice • Resolution IX: Autonomous members of the Commonwealth • “We Need More Men”

12. 1917: The Year of Catastrophe • New political leadership • David Lloyd George, Great Britain replaces Asquith • Imperial War Cabinet • March, riots break out in Petrograd • New military leadership • General Nivelle, French Army replaces Joffre

13. 1917: A new Allied offensive • General Nivelle promises a decisive end to the war • to win the war in 48 hours • 3 armies, 27 divisions • The British to create a diversion for a French “mass of maneuver”

16. The Battle of Arras, April 1917

17. Canadian Corps Commander, Julian Byng • 4 Division: Watson • 3 Division: Lipsett • 2 Division: Burstall • 1 Division: Currie

18. The Role of Arthur Currie • The lessons of Verdun • rehearsals/rehearsals/ rehearsals • better small unit tactics/weaponry • better use of manpower • but was he alone?

19. The Preparations • Artillery • 245 heavy guns and howitzers • (one heavy gun every 20 yards) • 600 field guns • (one field gun 10 yards) • two week bombardment • trenches, dug-outs, machine gun pits, ammo dumps • A rolling barrage to guide the assault

20. Vimy Currie

21. Vimy Ridge • The Achievement: • 4500 yards gained • 54 German guns • 4,000 German prisoners • The Cost: • 10,602 all ranks • 3598 fatal wounds

22. The Battle of Arras began brilliantly . . . yet in proportion to its promise this series of engagements appears on reflection profoundly disappointing.” History of the Great War, 1940, vol. 7: 550. A Wider Assessment

23. 1917: A Wider Assessment • The Americans enter the War • The Russians sue for peace • The British try again at Ypres • Messine ( a great success) • Passchendaele (a costly success)

24. 1917: A Wider Canadian Assessment • Vimy leads directly to conscription • December 1917: a Unionist government imposes compulsory overseas service • A nation divided?

25. Gyrth Russell (1892-1970)The Crest of Vimy Ridge

26. Borden’s Decision • May 1917: announces introduction of Conscription, but only after an election • Asks Laurier to form a coalition government • he attracts many Liberals • Laurier asks for a plebiscite, but is refused

27. The Wartime Election • Wartime Elections Act • women can vote, but only if related to a soldier • Immigrants since 1902 cannot vote, even if they had voted before

28. the Unionist Platform This is not an Election It is a Battle with the Hun “Whose cause will be injured IF you cast your vote for Laurier and Bourassa?--Canada’s and the Allies Your Duty is Clear Support Union Government

29. The Military Service Act • goal: 100,000 men • Over 90% of requests for exemptions are accepted • a “generous” document? • Was it necessary?

30. Currie on Conscription • A political move, so he was opposed to it • But did he benefit from it?

31. Currie’s Corps • Canadian Corps 25 August 1918: • total strength 101,599 1st Division A. Macdonnell 2 Division H. Burstell 4 Division D.W.Watson 3 Division L.J. Lipsett

32. Canadian Corps • Far stronger than its British counterparts • 12 battalions for each division, each with 100 more men • British, 9 battalions for each division

33. Currie’s Corps • Well organized • more engineers • Well rehearsed • A tried tactical doctrine • machine guns • some tanks • artillery • infantry

35. The Final Hundred Days • 8 August- 11 November 1918 • The Canadian Corps is at the vanguard of the Allied advance • 8 August • Amiens “The Black Day of the German Army” • Canadian Casualties: 12,652

36. The Final Hundred Days • September/October 1918 • Bourlon and Cambrai • Canadian Casualties: 14,849 • Reinforcements: 10,881 • October/11 November 1918 • Douai and Mons • Casualties: 10,177

37. The Final Hundred Days • August/September 1918 • Arras, Drocourt-Queant Line • Casualties: 14,349 • Reinforcements: 12, 768

38. The Final Hundred Days/Cambrai

39. The Final Hundred Days • “An army of technicians” • Canadians engaged 105,000 • Prisoners taken 31,537 • Distance advanced 86 miles • German Divisions defeated 47 • Total Canadian Casualties 45,830

40. Nation-building or Dividing? • 1914: A colonial power • 1919: Canada a signatory on the Treaty of Versailles • 66,000 Canadian dead • Was it Worth It?