canada was part of the british commonwealth in 1914. this meant canada could control its domestic...
TRANSCRIPT
Canada Prepares for War
Canada was part of the British Commonwealth in 1914.
This meant Canada could control its Domestic Policy (inside of Canada) but Britain controlled its Foreign Policy (relations with other countries)
Therefore, when Britain declared war, Canada was automatically involved.
We had no choice
War is Declared
Canada had no professional Army
Canadian Prime Minister Sir Robert Border realizes that Canada must build an army quickly in order to live up to their colonial obligations
Sir Sam Hughes (the Minister of Militia) is selected to build the Canadian Expeditionary Force
The Canadian Expeditionary Force
Hughes was an excellent recruiter – thousands of men volunteered in the first months of the war
Most Canadian’s were British and many felt compelled to defend England
Also, most recruits expected an adventure and that the war would be short
Hughes also built a large training camp at Valcartier, Quebec in record time.
Thanks to Hughes, large amounts of Canadian men would be ready to fight by early 1915
Sir Sam’s Achievements
Canada had few men with modern military experience. Therefore, the training soldiers received at Valcartier
was often useless and outdatedThe training was so bad that when Canadians were sent
to Britain, they were assessed as “Not Fit for Combat”The British had to re-train Canadian at Salisbury Plain,
a base in England
Sir Sam’s Failures Part 1:Training
Hughes gave military contracts for clothing and equipment to personal acquaintances and sub-standard contractors
Therefore, Canadian equipment was not fit for Trench Warfare
Uniforms fit poorly, were extremely itchy and had weak stitching
In the wet trenches, many uniforms simply fell apartCanadian boots were even worseInstead of Leather or Rubber, boots were made with
thick, treated paper. If they stayed wet, they would often disintegrate
Sir Sam’s Failures Part 2:Uniforms
Hughes order that every soldier be given a MacAdam shovel as their entrenchment tool
This shovel was too short and heavy to be useful in the trenches
Also, the shovel had a hole in the blade, to allow it to be used as a shield
This meant it was completely useless at moving wet soil.
Sir Sam’s Failures Part 3:The Mac Adam Shovel
Modeled after a successful hunting Rifle, the Ross Rifle was given to every Canadian Soldier
It was too long and heavy to be used effectively in the trenches
Although it was accurate, it jammed if it got dirty, wet, cold or hot.
Many Canadian died because their rifle failed them in combat
Sir Sam’s Failures Part 4:The Ross Rifle
Canadian Soldiers often stole equipment from British depots in order to survive.
However, Sam Hughes refused to back down and insisted that his choices were correct
He ordered the Canadian soldiers found without their original equipment would be arrested (court marshaled)
Hughes resigned in 1916 after pressure from Sir Robert Borden
After this, the Canadian Army starting purchasing good quality British Equipment
The fate of Sam Hughes
The First Canadian division got to France in early 1915 and were sent to defend the Trenches around Ypres, the last free Belgian city
Supporting the Canadians were untested French troops from Algeria
The Germans realized they were facing soldiers with no experience and decided to take advantage of the situation
On April 22, 1915 the Second Battle of Ypres began
Canada’s Baptism by Fire:The Battle of Ypres
The Germans unleashed their newest weapon on the Algerians and Canadians: Chlorine Gas
As the Germans released the gas, a thick green cloud came from their Trenches and drifted over no-man’s-land.
The Algerians panicked and ran away while choking and dying from the gas
Poison Gas
The Canadians used urine soaked rags to neutralize the gas
Although they were under horrible conditions, using poor equipment and outnumbered, the Canadians held off the German Assault
The Germans continued to hammer the Canadaians for 17 straighrt days
The 1st Canadian divsion suffered 50% casualties in the battle but held the line
Canadians quickly earned a reputation as being smart and tough
The Canadians Hold their Ground
Canada was not prepared for warSam Hughes did a poor job building Canada’s
ArmyThe Ross Rifle, MacAdam Shovel, training
programs, uniforms and boots were all a disaster
Canadians won at the Battle of Ypres despite facing chlorine gas
Key Points