• LIEUTENANT GENERAL THE HONOURABLE SIR JULIAN BYNG LIEUTENANT GENERAL THE HONOURABLE SIR JULIAN BYNG VISCOUNT OF VIMYVISCOUNT OF VIMY

• GALLIPOLI EVACUATION, MAY 1916 CO OF 1GALLIPOLI EVACUATION, MAY 1916 CO OF 1STST CDN CORPS CDN CORPS

• ARISTOCRAT, LOVED BY MEN BYNG’S BOYSARISTOCRAT, LOVED BY MEN BYNG’S BOYS

• TRAINED MEN HARD, PROMOTED CAPABLE CANADIAN OFFICERS TRAINED MEN HARD, PROMOTED CAPABLE CANADIAN OFFICERS (FIRED DOLLAR MAGNATES)(FIRED DOLLAR MAGNATES)

• ONE OF MOST TRUSTED CDN GENERALS WAS CURRIEONE OF MOST TRUSTED CDN GENERALS WAS CURRIE

• DISAGREED ON RAIDS, BUT BOTH PLANNED WELLDISAGREED ON RAIDS, BUT BOTH PLANNED WELL

• HE WAS CO AT SOMME, WE FIGHT WELL SO GIVEN VIMYHE WAS CO AT SOMME, WE FIGHT WELL SO GIVEN VIMY

• TACTICS USED AT VIMY UNIQUE, WIN THE BATTLE. AFTER HE TACTICS USED AT VIMY UNIQUE, WIN THE BATTLE. AFTER HE WAS PROMOTED TO COMMAND BR 3WAS PROMOTED TO COMMAND BR 3RDRD ARMY ARMY

• AFTER WAR CDN GOVERNOR GENERALAFTER WAR CDN GOVERNOR GENERAL

• CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS WITH MACKENZIE KINGCONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS WITH MACKENZIE KING

• GENERAL SIR ARTHUR CURRIEGENERAL SIR ARTHUR CURRIE

• REAL ESTATE DEALER, HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER FROM VICTORIAREAL ESTATE DEALER, HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER FROM VICTORIA

• BEGAN WAR WITH NO MILITARY EXPERIENCE OTHER THAN BEGAN WAR WITH NO MILITARY EXPERIENCE OTHER THAN MILITIA TRAINING (50MILITIA TRAINING (50THTH HIGHLAND BATTALION FROM BC) HIGHLAND BATTALION FROM BC)

• GARNET HUGHES CONVINCED FATHER SAM TO HAUL CURRIE OUT GARNET HUGHES CONVINCED FATHER SAM TO HAUL CURRIE OUT OF RETIREMENT TO PUT IN COMMAND OF UNITS IN FRANCEOF RETIREMENT TO PUT IN COMMAND OF UNITS IN FRANCE

• SEPTEMBER 1914 APPOINTED BRIGADIER GENERAL IN CHARGE SEPTEMBER 1914 APPOINTED BRIGADIER GENERAL IN CHARGE OF SECOND BRIGADE 1ST CANADIAN DIVISION (ST JULIEN)OF SECOND BRIGADE 1ST CANADIAN DIVISION (ST JULIEN)

• SEPTEMBER 1915 PROMOTED TO COMMAND FIRST CANADIAN SEPTEMBER 1915 PROMOTED TO COMMAND FIRST CANADIAN DIVISIONDIVISION

• JUNE 1917 KNIGHTED AND PROMOTED TO COMMAND THE JUNE 1917 KNIGHTED AND PROMOTED TO COMMAND THE CANADIAN CORPSCANADIAN CORPS

• NEVER WOULD HAVE RISEN IN EUROPEAN ARISTOCRATIC NEVER WOULD HAVE RISEN IN EUROPEAN ARISTOCRATIC ARMIES, BUT IN CDN ARMY RAISE BY MERITARMIES, BUT IN CDN ARMY RAISE BY MERIT

• GREAT INNOVATOR TACTICIAN (MOUNT SORREL, VIMY, AND GREAT INNOVATOR TACTICIAN (MOUNT SORREL, VIMY, AND OTHERSOTHERS

• BECAUSE NOT ARISTOCRAT, OPEN TO NEW BECAUSE NOT ARISTOCRAT, OPEN TO NEW IDEAS/TRAININGIDEAS/TRAINING

• VERY INNOVATIVE AT MOUNT SORREL, VIMY AND VERY INNOVATIVE AT MOUNT SORREL, VIMY AND OTHERSOTHERS

• PAY THE PRICE IN SHELLS NOT MENPAY THE PRICE IN SHELLS NOT MEN

• ATTACK ONLY WHEN PREPAREDATTACK ONLY WHEN PREPARED

• CLASHED WITH HUGHES OVER ROSS, GARNETCLASHED WITH HUGHES OVER ROSS, GARNET

• CLASHED WITH HAIG OVER PASCHENDALE, MONS, CLASHED WITH HAIG OVER PASCHENDALE, MONS,

• AFTER WAR COOL RECEPTION BACK HOMEAFTER WAR COOL RECEPTION BACK HOME

• LIBEL TRIALLIBEL TRIAL

• CURRIE WINS, BECOMES PRINCIPAL OF MCGILL AND DIED CURRIE WINS, BECOMES PRINCIPAL OF MCGILL AND DIED IN 1933 CANADA’S GREATEST MILITARY HERO OF ALL IN 1933 CANADA’S GREATEST MILITARY HERO OF ALL TIME. UNKNOWNTIME. UNKNOWN

VIMY TO THE 100 DAYSVIMY TO THE 100 DAYS

• VIMY ONLY VICTORY AT ARRAS OFFENSIVEVIMY ONLY VICTORY AT ARRAS OFFENSIVE

• BRITISH TO SOUTH NO NEW PLAN, SIMILAR TO BRITISH TO SOUTH NO NEW PLAN, SIMILAR TO SOMMESOMME

• DID NOT USE NEW TECHNOLOGY, SHELL, DID NOT DID NOT USE NEW TECHNOLOGY, SHELL, DID NOT CHECK WIRE, DID NOT CONCENTRATE ON MG CHECK WIRE, DID NOT CONCENTRATE ON MG POSTS ETCPOSTS ETC

• THUS ARRAS OFFENSIVE NOT THE BREAKING POINT THUS ARRAS OFFENSIVE NOT THE BREAKING POINT OF THE WAR THAT THE ALLIES HAD HOPED IT MAY OF THE WAR THAT THE ALLIES HAD HOPED IT MAY BE THAT EASTERBE THAT EASTER

• B/C OF FLANK GER RETREAT ALONG B/C OF FLANK GER RETREAT ALONG WHOLE FRONTWHOLE FRONT

• FOR REWARD BOTH BYNG AND CURRIE FOR REWARD BOTH BYNG AND CURRIE WERE BOTH KNIGHTED AND WERE BOTH KNIGHTED AND PROMOTED (BYNG TO 3PROMOTED (BYNG TO 3RDRD ARMY, ARMY, CURRIE TO CDN CORPS)CURRIE TO CDN CORPS)

• SAM WANTS GARNET TO GET FIRST SAM WANTS GARNET TO GET FIRST DIVDIV

• CURRIE REFUSED LEADS TO HATRED CURRIE REFUSED LEADS TO HATRED BTW TWOBTW TWO

• SUMMER OF 1917 NEW OFF PLANNEDSUMMER OF 1917 NEW OFF PLANNED

• HAIG’S NEW PLAN CALLED FOR A BREAKOUT IN HAIG’S NEW PLAN CALLED FOR A BREAKOUT IN FLANDERS, (THIRD BATTLE OF YPRES, OR FLANDERS, (THIRD BATTLE OF YPRES, OR PASCHENDALE) PASCHENDALE)

• OUTFLANK GERMAN DEFENSIVE POSITIONS, CUT OFF U-OUTFLANK GERMAN DEFENSIVE POSITIONS, CUT OFF U-BOAT PENS ENDING BLOCKADE, MARCH TO BERLINBOAT PENS ENDING BLOCKADE, MARCH TO BERLIN

• NEEDED TO END WAR (RUSSIAN, FRENCH MUTINY, BR NEEDED TO END WAR (RUSSIAN, FRENCH MUTINY, BR ON VERGE OF STARVATION)ON VERGE OF STARVATION)

• IN BR A PEACE AT ALL COSTS MOVEMENTIN BR A PEACE AT ALL COSTS MOVEMENT

• HAIG FELT GER WORSE, ONE BIG PUSH COULD WIN, BUT HAIG FELT GER WORSE, ONE BIG PUSH COULD WIN, BUT HASN’T CHANGED TACTICS. SAME AS SOMMEHASN’T CHANGED TACTICS. SAME AS SOMME

• SAME TACTICS AS AT SOMMESAME TACTICS AS AT SOMME

• STRATEGIC AT START BUT SOON DEGRADES INTO STRATEGIC AT START BUT SOON DEGRADES INTO USELESS SLAUGHTER IN THE MUDUSELESS SLAUGHTER IN THE MUD

• FIRST BR AND COLONIAL TROOPS USE SOMME TACTICS AND THEY ARE FIRST BR AND COLONIAL TROOPS USE SOMME TACTICS AND THEY ARE SLAUGHTEREDSLAUGHTERED

• YPRES WAS SWAMPLAND DRAINED IN MIDDLE AGES WITH A RIVER YPRES WAS SWAMPLAND DRAINED IN MIDDLE AGES WITH A RIVER RUNNING THROUGH IT AND A HIGH WATER TABLERUNNING THROUGH IT AND A HIGH WATER TABLE

• IF DRAINAGE SYSTEM DISRUPTED DURING RAINY SEASON THEN FIELDS IF DRAINAGE SYSTEM DISRUPTED DURING RAINY SEASON THEN FIELDS WOULD QUICKLY DEGENERATEWOULD QUICKLY DEGENERATE

• THUS, THE ATTACK WAS TO BE COMPLETED IN DRY MONTHS OF JULY AND THUS, THE ATTACK WAS TO BE COMPLETED IN DRY MONTHS OF JULY AND AUGUST.AUGUST.

• DURING BATTLE 4.2 MILLION SHELLS FIREDDURING BATTLE 4.2 MILLION SHELLS FIRED

• DRAINAGE SYSTEM DESTROYED, ATTACK FAILED TO TAKE THE RIDGE BY DRAINAGE SYSTEM DESTROYED, ATTACK FAILED TO TAKE THE RIDGE BY FALL RAINSFALL RAINS

• PRE-BOMBARDMENT ALERTED GERMANS THAT ATTACK COMINGPRE-BOMBARDMENT ALERTED GERMANS THAT ATTACK COMING

• THEY SUCCESSFULLY WITHSTOOD SHELLING IN BUNKERSTHEY SUCCESSFULLY WITHSTOOD SHELLING IN BUNKERS

• AFTER RAINS MANY SHELLS FAILED TO EXPLODE IN THE MUDAFTER RAINS MANY SHELLS FAILED TO EXPLODE IN THE MUD

• THE TROOPS HAD TO ATTACK THROUGH MUD WAIST DEEPTHE TROOPS HAD TO ATTACK THROUGH MUD WAIST DEEP

• IN THIS QUAGMIRE OF MUD MEN ATTACKED FOR MONTHSIN THIS QUAGMIRE OF MUD MEN ATTACKED FOR MONTHS

• HAIG WAS WARNED AGAINST THE ATTACK IN JULYHAIG WAS WARNED AGAINST THE ATTACK IN JULY

• FOCH THE FRENCH COMMANDER ADVISED AGAINST THE ATTACK, FOCH THE FRENCH COMMANDER ADVISED AGAINST THE ATTACK, AS DID BRITISH GENERALS IN THE SECTOR, AND PM LLOYD AS DID BRITISH GENERALS IN THE SECTOR, AND PM LLOYD GEORGE HIMSELFGEORGE HIMSELF

• DESPITE ALL THIS HAIG CONVINCED HIS PLAN WOULD WORK AND DESPITE ALL THIS HAIG CONVINCED HIS PLAN WOULD WORK AND WENT AHEAD WITH RESULTS ILLUSTRATED BELOWWENT AHEAD WITH RESULTS ILLUSTRATED BELOW

• THANKFULLY, THE CANADIANS WERE NOT HERE IN DURING THE THANKFULLY, THE CANADIANS WERE NOT HERE IN DURING THE SUMMER, AND EARLY FALL, YET OUR TURN WOULD COME SUMMER, AND EARLY FALL, YET OUR TURN WOULD COME

• IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER 1917 THEY WERE GIVEN A IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER 1917 THEY WERE GIVEN A DIVERSIONARY ATTACK IN VIMY SECTORDIVERSIONARY ATTACK IN VIMY SECTOR

• CANADIANS TO TAKE HILL 70 AND LENSCANADIANS TO TAKE HILL 70 AND LENS

• LENS AND HILL 70LENS AND HILL 70

• THESE BATTLES WERE TO DIVERT GERMAN ATTENTION AWAY FROM THESE BATTLES WERE TO DIVERT GERMAN ATTENTION AWAY FROM THE YPRES SALIENTTHE YPRES SALIENT

• HAIG DEMANDED A TRADITIONAL FRONTAL ASSAULT AND THEN A HAIG DEMANDED A TRADITIONAL FRONTAL ASSAULT AND THEN A CONSOLIDATION AGAINST GERMAN COUNTER ATTACKSCONSOLIDATION AGAINST GERMAN COUNTER ATTACKS

• CURRIE REFUSED. SAID WOULD ONLY ATTACK WHEN PREPARED CURRIE REFUSED. SAID WOULD ONLY ATTACK WHEN PREPARED PROPERPROPER

• NO FRONTAL ASSAULT, TACTICS OF VIMYNO FRONTAL ASSAULT, TACTICS OF VIMY

• ATTACK STRONG POINTS, THEN MOP UP, LOCALIZED NOT GENERAL ATTACK STRONG POINTS, THEN MOP UP, LOCALIZED NOT GENERAL ATTACKATTACK

• IN SERIES OF STRONG RAIDS THE GERMANS WERE PUSHED BACKIN SERIES OF STRONG RAIDS THE GERMANS WERE PUSHED BACK

• WHEN FINAL ASSAULT LAUNCHED HILL 70 CAPTURED IN 20 MINUTESWHEN FINAL ASSAULT LAUNCHED HILL 70 CAPTURED IN 20 MINUTES

• SHOWS AGAIN SUCCESS POSSIBLE IF USE GOOD TACTICSSHOWS AGAIN SUCCESS POSSIBLE IF USE GOOD TACTICS

• GERMANS COUNTER, MUSTARD GAS, WE HELDGERMANS COUNTER, MUSTARD GAS, WE HELD

• IN THE END THE CANADIANS TOOK 6000 CASUALTIES BUT WERE IN THE END THE CANADIANS TOOK 6000 CASUALTIES BUT WERE SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR ATTACKS IN CAPTURING HILL 70SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR ATTACKS IN CAPTURING HILL 70

• LENS WAS STILL IN GERMAN HANDS, BUT WAS UNDER THE LENS WAS STILL IN GERMAN HANDS, BUT WAS UNDER THE CONSTANT BARRAGE FROM THE CANADIANS ON HILL 70 CONSTANT BARRAGE FROM THE CANADIANS ON HILL 70

• MEANWHILE BACK IN PASSCHENDAELE THINGS NOT GOING SO MEANWHILE BACK IN PASSCHENDAELE THINGS NOT GOING SO GOODGOOD

• THE AUSTRALIANS, NEW ZEALANDERS, AND BRITISH HAD MADE THE AUSTRALIANS, NEW ZEALANDERS, AND BRITISH HAD MADE SOME HEADWAY, BUT ONLY A FEW HUNDRED YARDSSOME HEADWAY, BUT ONLY A FEW HUNDRED YARDS

• BY NOW BATTLEFIELD ONE OF MUD, MOST REALIZED NOT BY NOW BATTLEFIELD ONE OF MUD, MOST REALIZED NOT STRATEGIC. NO OUTFLANKING POSSIBLE, NOR CUT OFF OF U STRATEGIC. NO OUTFLANKING POSSIBLE, NOR CUT OFF OF U BOAT PENSBOAT PENS

• STILL HAIG CONTINUED, THOUSANDS LOST IN MUDSTILL HAIG CONTINUED, THOUSANDS LOST IN MUD

• BY OCTOBER, HAIG DECIDED THE CANADIANS TURN HAD COME TO BY OCTOBER, HAIG DECIDED THE CANADIANS TURN HAD COME TO ENTER THE BATTLE OF PASCHENDALEENTER THE BATTLE OF PASCHENDALE

PASCHENDALEPASCHENDALE

• WHEN TOLD OF PLAN CURRIE REFUSED, SAYING IMPOSSIBLE. WHEN TOLD OF PLAN CURRIE REFUSED, SAYING IMPOSSIBLE.

• CURRIE APPEALED TO HAIG PERSONALLY TELLING HIM LET THE CURRIE APPEALED TO HAIG PERSONALLY TELLING HIM LET THE GERMANS KEEP THE MUD. HAIG STRESSED CRUCIAL AND SOMEDAY WILL GERMANS KEEP THE MUD. HAIG STRESSED CRUCIAL AND SOMEDAY WILL TELL YOU WHYTELL YOU WHY

• STILL CURRIE HESITATED, WENT OVER HAIG’S HEAD BUT WAS TOLD TO STILL CURRIE HESITATED, WENT OVER HAIG’S HEAD BUT WAS TOLD TO GOGO

• HE RISKED CAREER, CITED FOR INSUBORDINATION, RELENTED BUT SAID HE RISKED CAREER, CITED FOR INSUBORDINATION, RELENTED BUT SAID “CANADA WILL TAKE PASCHENDALE AT THE COST OF 16 000 MEN”“CANADA WILL TAKE PASCHENDALE AT THE COST OF 16 000 MEN”

• CURRIE DEMANDED AT THE VERY LEAST A REPRIEVE UNTIL CONDITIONS CURRIE DEMANDED AT THE VERY LEAST A REPRIEVE UNTIL CONDITIONS A LITTLE BETTER.A LITTLE BETTER.

• CURRIE ALSO DEMANDED THAT THE CDN CORPS FIGHT AS A UNIT AND CURRIE ALSO DEMANDED THAT THE CDN CORPS FIGHT AS A UNIT AND NOT UNDER THE COMMAND OF THE BRITISH GENERAL AT NOT UNDER THE COMMAND OF THE BRITISH GENERAL AT PASSCHENDAELE WHOM HE HAD LITTLE CONFIDENCE INPASSCHENDAELE WHOM HE HAD LITTLE CONFIDENCE IN

• THUS HE GOT USED THE TIME TO PREPARE AS HE ALWAYS DID, AND THUS HE GOT USED THE TIME TO PREPARE AS HE ALWAYS DID, AND INTO BATTLE THEY WENTINTO BATTLE THEY WENT

• THE FIELD WAS STREWN WITH DETRITUS OF WAR. DEAD, ABANDONED THE FIELD WAS STREWN WITH DETRITUS OF WAR. DEAD, ABANDONED MATERIAL AND OFTEN CANADIAN SOLDIERS STEPPED INTO MATERIAL AND OFTEN CANADIAN SOLDIERS STEPPED INTO DECOMPOSING MENDECOMPOSING MEN

• THE CANADIANS ASKED PERMISSION TO USE DUCK WALK THE CANADIANS ASKED PERMISSION TO USE DUCK WALK PLANKING BUT THE BRITISH THOUGHT THE IDEA RIDICULOUSPLANKING BUT THE BRITISH THOUGHT THE IDEA RIDICULOUS

• IN THE END THE BRITS SAY OK BUT NO PLANKSIN THE END THE BRITS SAY OK BUT NO PLANKS

• THE CANADIANS END UP SETTING UP OWN SAW MILL AND THE CANADIANS END UP SETTING UP OWN SAW MILL AND BUILDING THE WALKS BY HARVESTING TREES THAT WERE IN BUILDING THE WALKS BY HARVESTING TREES THAT WERE IN THE BATTLE AREATHE BATTLE AREA

• TO GET IDEA OF THE MUD A CANADIAN GREATCOAT WAS TO GET IDEA OF THE MUD A CANADIAN GREATCOAT WAS WEIGHED AND IT WEIGHED 50 POUNDSWEIGHED AND IT WEIGHED 50 POUNDS

• IN 2.5 SQUARE MILES THERE WERE 500,000 SHELL CRATERS, IN 2.5 SQUARE MILES THERE WERE 500,000 SHELL CRATERS, ALL FILLED WITH WATERALL FILLED WITH WATER

• DURING THE BATTLE IF YOU STEPPED OFF OF THE DUCK DURING THE BATTLE IF YOU STEPPED OFF OF THE DUCK WALKS YOU DISAPPEARED INTO THE MUD OF PASCHENDALEWALKS YOU DISAPPEARED INTO THE MUD OF PASCHENDALE

• ALL OF THIS HORRIBLE CONDITIONS WERE WITHIN ONE MILE OF WHERE ALL OF THIS HORRIBLE CONDITIONS WERE WITHIN ONE MILE OF WHERE CURRIE AND THE CANADIAN FIRST DIVISION WERE GASSED IN 1915 CURRIE AND THE CANADIAN FIRST DIVISION WERE GASSED IN 1915 SECOND BATTLE OF YPRESSECOND BATTLE OF YPRES

• BEFORE THE OPERATIONS WAS EVEN LAUNCHED ON OCTOBER 26TH, BEFORE THE OPERATIONS WAS EVEN LAUNCHED ON OCTOBER 26TH, OVER 1500 CANADIANS WERE CASUALTIES FROM THE GERMAN OVER 1500 CANADIANS WERE CASUALTIES FROM THE GERMAN SHELLINGSHELLING

• CURRIE AGAIN DECIDES TO ATTACK IN SEGMENTS OR STRONG RAIDSCURRIE AGAIN DECIDES TO ATTACK IN SEGMENTS OR STRONG RAIDS

• HE WILL DIVIDE THE BATTLE INTO FOUR SECTIONS, EACH SEPARATED HE WILL DIVIDE THE BATTLE INTO FOUR SECTIONS, EACH SEPARATED BY THREE DAYSBY THREE DAYS

• THE GOAL OF THE FIRST STAGE WOULD NOT BE TO OCCUPY THE TOWN, THE GOAL OF THE FIRST STAGE WOULD NOT BE TO OCCUPY THE TOWN, ONLY TO SILENCE THE GERMAN MACHINE GUN POSTSONLY TO SILENCE THE GERMAN MACHINE GUN POSTS

• BY NOW THE GERMANS HAD RECOGNIZED THE CANADIAN TACTIC, AND BY NOW THE GERMANS HAD RECOGNIZED THE CANADIAN TACTIC, AND HAD PUT THEIR MACHINE GUNS IN CONCRETE ENCLOSURESHAD PUT THEIR MACHINE GUNS IN CONCRETE ENCLOSURES

• THIS WAS PARTLY DONE SINCE COULD NOT DIG INTO THE THIS WAS PARTLY DONE SINCE COULD NOT DIG INTO THE MUD OF FLANDERS WITHOUT WATER SEEPING IN AND MUD OF FLANDERS WITHOUT WATER SEEPING IN AND PARTLY FOR DEFENSE AGAINST ATTACKPARTLY FOR DEFENSE AGAINST ATTACK

• THE ENCLOSURES LOOKED LIKE PILLBOXES, SO THE NAME THE ENCLOSURES LOOKED LIKE PILLBOXES, SO THE NAME STUCKSTUCK

• THIS DEFENSIVE TACTIC WAS DIRECTLY A RESULT OF THE THIS DEFENSIVE TACTIC WAS DIRECTLY A RESULT OF THE CANADIAN CORPS’ TACTICS USED AT VIMY, LENS AND HILL 70CANADIAN CORPS’ TACTICS USED AT VIMY, LENS AND HILL 70

• THE FIRST STAGE WAS LAUNCHED ON OCTOBER 26TH, AND THE FIRST STAGE WAS LAUNCHED ON OCTOBER 26TH, AND THE PILLBOXES WERE OVERPOWERED DESPITE LARGE THE PILLBOXES WERE OVERPOWERED DESPITE LARGE CASUALTIES.CASUALTIES.

• HINDENBURG ORDERED THE PRUSSIAN REGIMENTS HINDENBURG ORDERED THE PRUSSIAN REGIMENTS DEFENDING PASCHENDALE TO HOLD AT ALL COSTSDEFENDING PASCHENDALE TO HOLD AT ALL COSTS

• YET BY NOVEMBER THE 12TH THE TOWN OF PASSCHENDAELE YET BY NOVEMBER THE 12TH THE TOWN OF PASSCHENDAELE AND THE RIDGE TOO WAS SECURELY IN CANADIAN HANDS.AND THE RIDGE TOO WAS SECURELY IN CANADIAN HANDS.

• THIS VICTORY WAS LAUDED BY THE BRITISH AND SURPRISED THE THIS VICTORY WAS LAUDED BY THE BRITISH AND SURPRISED THE GERMANSGERMANS

• A CAPTURED GERMAN GENERAL TOLD THE BRITISH NEWS THAT A CAPTURED GERMAN GENERAL TOLD THE BRITISH NEWS THAT WITH AN ARMY OF SUCH MEN HE COULD GO ANYWHERE WITH AN ARMY OF SUCH MEN HE COULD GO ANYWHERE

• BY NOVEMBER THE 14TH THE CANADIANS WERE RELIEVED AND BY NOVEMBER THE 14TH THE CANADIANS WERE RELIEVED AND SENT BACK TO THE VIMY SECTORSENT BACK TO THE VIMY SECTOR

• IN THE END CANADIAN CASUALTIES WERE VIRTUALLY EXACTLY IN THE END CANADIAN CASUALTIES WERE VIRTUALLY EXACTLY WHAT CURRIE WARNED THEY WOULD BE. THEY ENDED UP BEING WHAT CURRIE WARNED THEY WOULD BE. THEY ENDED UP BEING 15,65415,654

• BY THE END OF THE BATTLE, THE BRITISH ARMY HAD LOST A TOTAL BY THE END OF THE BATTLE, THE BRITISH ARMY HAD LOST A TOTAL OF 500,000 MEN AND THE GERMANS 250,000OF 500,000 MEN AND THE GERMANS 250,000

• ALL THIS FOR 2.5 SQUARE MILES OF OBLITERATED MUDALL THIS FOR 2.5 SQUARE MILES OF OBLITERATED MUD

• THE BATTLE HAD TAKEN SO LONG, THAT THE OBJECTIVE OF OUTFLANKING THE BATTLE HAD TAKEN SO LONG, THAT THE OBJECTIVE OF OUTFLANKING THE GERMAN DEFENSIVE POSITIONS WAS NO LONGER A POSSIBILITYTHE GERMAN DEFENSIVE POSITIONS WAS NO LONGER A POSSIBILITY

• THUS, WHILE THE ORIGINAL PLANS FOR THE ATTACK WERE SOUND, THE THUS, WHILE THE ORIGINAL PLANS FOR THE ATTACK WERE SOUND, THE BATTLE LOST ALL IMPORTANCE EXCEPT TO HAIG VERY EARLY ONBATTLE LOST ALL IMPORTANCE EXCEPT TO HAIG VERY EARLY ON

• IN TRUTH THE BR ABANDONED THE POSITION AS NOT MILITARILY TENABLE IN TRUTH THE BR ABANDONED THE POSITION AS NOT MILITARILY TENABLE OR STRATEGIC IN 1918OR STRATEGIC IN 1918

• THUS THE LOSSES WERE IN VAIN FOR ALL CONCERNEDTHUS THE LOSSES WERE IN VAIN FOR ALL CONCERNED

• IN THE END THERE IS A POEM WRITTEN BY SEIGFRIED SASSOON A BRITISH IN THE END THERE IS A POEM WRITTEN BY SEIGFRIED SASSOON A BRITISH OFFICER WHICH IS ESPECIALLY POIGNANTOFFICER WHICH IS ESPECIALLY POIGNANT

• I DIED IN HELL, THEY CALLED IT PASSCHENDAELE. MY WOUND WAS I DIED IN HELL, THEY CALLED IT PASSCHENDAELE. MY WOUND WAS SLIGHT AND I WAS HOBBLING BACK; AND THEN A SHELL BURST SLICK SLIGHT AND I WAS HOBBLING BACK; AND THEN A SHELL BURST SLICK UPON THE DUCKBOARDS; SO I FELL INTO THE BOTTOMLESS MUD, AND UPON THE DUCKBOARDS; SO I FELL INTO THE BOTTOMLESS MUD, AND LOST THE LIGHT.LOST THE LIGHT.

• THIS MAY NOT BE TRUE FOR SASOON, BUT 47,000 BRITISH SOLDIERS DID THIS MAY NOT BE TRUE FOR SASOON, BUT 47,000 BRITISH SOLDIERS DID DISAPPEAR IN THE MUD OF PASCHENDALE NEVER TO BE SEEN AGAINDISAPPEAR IN THE MUD OF PASCHENDALE NEVER TO BE SEEN AGAIN

• TODAY FARMERS IN THIS AREA UNEARTH REMAINS OF SOLDIERS ALL THE TODAY FARMERS IN THIS AREA UNEARTH REMAINS OF SOLDIERS ALL THE TIME AS FROST OF 85 YEARS MOVES THE LOST MEN BACK TO THE TIME AS FROST OF 85 YEARS MOVES THE LOST MEN BACK TO THE SURFACESURFACE

• INSPECTORS OF THE BRITISH ARMY WERE AMAZED AT CONDITIONS.INSPECTORS OF THE BRITISH ARMY WERE AMAZED AT CONDITIONS.

• REMEMBER HAIG NEVER WENT CLOSE TO FRONT LINEREMEMBER HAIG NEVER WENT CLOSE TO FRONT LINE

• CURRIE GIVEN CREDIT FOR VICTORY, BUT HE DID NOT WANT IT. HE CURRIE GIVEN CREDIT FOR VICTORY, BUT HE DID NOT WANT IT. HE OPENLY STATED THE BATTLE NOT WORTH THE COST IN LIVES AND HE OPENLY STATED THE BATTLE NOT WORTH THE COST IN LIVES AND HE WAS RIGHTWAS RIGHT

• ALSO AFTER THE BATTLE THE FIFTH DIVISION WAS BROKEN UP WHILE ALSO AFTER THE BATTLE THE FIFTH DIVISION WAS BROKEN UP WHILE IN ENGLAND UNDER THE COMMAND OF GARNET HUGHES AND SENT TO IN ENGLAND UNDER THE COMMAND OF GARNET HUGHES AND SENT TO THE OTHER FOUR DIVS AS REPLACEMENTSTHE OTHER FOUR DIVS AS REPLACEMENTS

• THUS GARNET AGAIN LEFT WITHOUT A COMMANDTHUS GARNET AGAIN LEFT WITHOUT A COMMAND

• EVERY SOLIDER WHO FOUGHT IN PASSCHENDAELE HAD TO PASS EVERY SOLIDER WHO FOUGHT IN PASSCHENDAELE HAD TO PASS THROUGH A GATE IN MENIN BELGIUM. TODAY THE GATE HAS 55,00 THROUGH A GATE IN MENIN BELGIUM. TODAY THE GATE HAS 55,00 NAMES OF THE BRITISH SOLDIERS KNOWN BUT TO GOD FROM THE NAMES OF THE BRITISH SOLDIERS KNOWN BUT TO GOD FROM THE YPRES SALIENT 1914-1918 INSCRIBED ON ITYPRES SALIENT 1914-1918 INSCRIBED ON IT

• OF THESE ALMOST 7,000 ARE CANADIAN SOLDIERS LOST IN THE OF THESE ALMOST 7,000 ARE CANADIAN SOLDIERS LOST IN THE YPRES SALIENT FROM 1915-1918YPRES SALIENT FROM 1915-1918

• EACH DAY IN MENIN ALL TRAFFIC IS STOPPED AT DUSK, AND A EACH DAY IN MENIN ALL TRAFFIC IS STOPPED AT DUSK, AND A BUGLER PLAYS THE LAST POST.BUGLER PLAYS THE LAST POST.

• THIS IS DONE WHILE TOWNSPEOPLE GATHER AND LAY FLOWERS IN THIS IS DONE WHILE TOWNSPEOPLE GATHER AND LAY FLOWERS IN MEMORY OF THE MEN WHO DIED UNKNOWN FOR THEIR MEMORY OF THE MEN WHO DIED UNKNOWN FOR THEIR LIBERATIONLIBERATION

LAST POST CEREMONYLAST POST CEREMONY

• LUDENDORFF OFFENSIVELUDENDORFF OFFENSIVE

• 1917 BAD YEAR FOR GERMANY IN WEST, BUT NOT IN EAST1917 BAD YEAR FOR GERMANY IN WEST, BUT NOT IN EAST

• IN THE EASTERN FRONT OF 1917 THE GERMANS HAD IN THE EASTERN FRONT OF 1917 THE GERMANS HAD ACHIEVED VICTORYACHIEVED VICTORY

• LENIN AND THE SOVIETS SIGN TREATY OF BREST-LITOVSKLENIN AND THE SOVIETS SIGN TREATY OF BREST-LITOVSK

• THIS ALLOWED THE FULL CONCENTRATION OF THE THIS ALLOWED THE FULL CONCENTRATION OF THE GERMAN ARMY TO BE MOVED TO THE WESTGERMAN ARMY TO BE MOVED TO THE WEST

• LUDENDORFF WANTED TO ATTACK AS QUICKLY AS LUDENDORFF WANTED TO ATTACK AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE BEFORE THE AMERICANS ARRIVED IN FORCE POSSIBLE BEFORE THE AMERICANS ARRIVED IN FORCE (APRIL 1917, BUT NOT FULLY DEPLOYED YET)(APRIL 1917, BUT NOT FULLY DEPLOYED YET)

• AT THE SPRING OF 1918 THE GERMANS HAD 178 AT THE SPRING OF 1918 THE GERMANS HAD 178 DIVISIONS ON THE WESTERN FRONT, AND ENJOYED A DIVISIONS ON THE WESTERN FRONT, AND ENJOYED A NUMERICAL SUPERIORITY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE WARNUMERICAL SUPERIORITY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE WAR

• THE TIME HAD COME TO LAUNCH NEW ATTACKSTHE TIME HAD COME TO LAUNCH NEW ATTACKS

• OFFENSIVE CALLED FOR INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUES, THE STORM TROOPEROFFENSIVE CALLED FOR INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUES, THE STORM TROOPER

• HERE ELITE LIGHTLY WEIGHED DOWN TROOPS WOULD SMASH THROUGH HERE ELITE LIGHTLY WEIGHED DOWN TROOPS WOULD SMASH THROUGH THE ENEMY POSITIONS MAKING A BREACH FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE THE ENEMY POSITIONS MAKING A BREACH FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE INFANTRY TO FOLLOW.INFANTRY TO FOLLOW.

• LUDENDORFF’S PLAN WAS TO BRING MOBILITY BACK TO THE LUDENDORFF’S PLAN WAS TO BRING MOBILITY BACK TO THE BATTLEFIELD BY BYPASSING THE BRITISH AND FRENCH TRENCHES BATTLEFIELD BY BYPASSING THE BRITISH AND FRENCH TRENCHES INSTEAD ATTACKING THEIR AREAS OF STRONG POINTS AND LEAVING INSTEAD ATTACKING THEIR AREAS OF STRONG POINTS AND LEAVING POCKETS OF RESISTANCE TO BE MOPPED UP BY THOSE THAT FOLLOWEDPOCKETS OF RESISTANCE TO BE MOPPED UP BY THOSE THAT FOLLOWED

• THIS TACTIC WAS SURPRISINGLY LIKE WHAT CURRIE AND THE CORP HAD THIS TACTIC WAS SURPRISINGLY LIKE WHAT CURRIE AND THE CORP HAD BEEN DOING SINCE 1917 AT VIMYBEEN DOING SINCE 1917 AT VIMY

• THE GERMANS PICKED TWO AREAS TO ATTACK. IN THE SOUTH THEY THE GERMANS PICKED TWO AREAS TO ATTACK. IN THE SOUTH THEY ATTACKED THE FRENCH, AND IN THE NORTH THEY ATTACKED THE ATTACKED THE FRENCH, AND IN THE NORTH THEY ATTACKED THE BRITISHBRITISH

• IN THE MIDDLE, THEY DID NOT ATTACK, THIS IS WHERE THE CANADIAN IN THE MIDDLE, THEY DID NOT ATTACK, THIS IS WHERE THE CANADIAN CORPS WASCORPS WAS

• WHETHER IT WAS PURPOSELY BYPASSED BECAUSE THEY WERE WHETHER IT WAS PURPOSELY BYPASSED BECAUSE THEY WERE CANADIAN, OR BECAUSE THE GERMANS FELT THEY WOULD RATHER CANADIAN, OR BECAUSE THE GERMANS FELT THEY WOULD RATHER ATTACK OVER EASIER TERRAIN IS OPEN TO INTERPRETATIONATTACK OVER EASIER TERRAIN IS OPEN TO INTERPRETATION

• REGARDLESS, AS THE GERMAN ONSLAUGHT PUSHED WEST THE REGARDLESS, AS THE GERMAN ONSLAUGHT PUSHED WEST THE CANADIAN CORPS WAS LEFT HOLDING A HUGE BULGE SURROUNDED BY CANADIAN CORPS WAS LEFT HOLDING A HUGE BULGE SURROUNDED BY ALL SIDESALL SIDES

• CURRIE EXPECTED ATTACK SO WROTE INSPIRATIONAL SPEECH TO HIS MENCURRIE EXPECTED ATTACK SO WROTE INSPIRATIONAL SPEECH TO HIS MEN

• IN RESPONSE HE WROTE AND DELIVERED A SPEECH TO ALL HIS MEN. IT IN RESPONSE HE WROTE AND DELIVERED A SPEECH TO ALL HIS MEN. IT WAS SUCH A POIGNANT SPEECH THAT FOR DECADES AFTER FRENCH WAS SUCH A POIGNANT SPEECH THAT FOR DECADES AFTER FRENCH STUDENTS IN FRANCE STUDYING ENGLISH HAD TO MEMORIZE ITSTUDENTS IN FRANCE STUDYING ENGLISH HAD TO MEMORIZE IT

• IT READIT READ

• TODAY, THE FATE OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE HANGS IN THE TODAY, THE FATE OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE HANGS IN THE BALANCE. I PLACE MY TRUST IN THE CANADIAN CORPS, KNOWING BALANCE. I PLACE MY TRUST IN THE CANADIAN CORPS, KNOWING THAT WHERE CANADIANS ARE ENGAGED THERE CAN BE NO GIVING THAT WHERE CANADIANS ARE ENGAGED THERE CAN BE NO GIVING WAY. YOU WILL ADVANCE OR FALL WHERE YOU STAND FACING WAY. YOU WILL ADVANCE OR FALL WHERE YOU STAND FACING THE ENEMY. TO THOSE OF YOU WHO WILL FALL I SAY YOU WILL THE ENEMY. TO THOSE OF YOU WHO WILL FALL I SAY YOU WILL NOT DIE, BUT STEP INTO IMMORTALITY. YOUR MOTHERS WILL NOT DIE, BUT STEP INTO IMMORTALITY. YOUR MOTHERS WILL NOT LAMENT YOUR FATE BUT WILL BE PROUD TO HAVE BORN NOT LAMENT YOUR FATE BUT WILL BE PROUD TO HAVE BORN SUCH SONS. YOUR NAMES WILL BE REVERED FOREVER AND EVER SUCH SONS. YOUR NAMES WILL BE REVERED FOREVER AND EVER BY YOUR GRATEFUL COUNTRY AND GOD WILL TAKE YOU UNTO BY YOUR GRATEFUL COUNTRY AND GOD WILL TAKE YOU UNTO HIMSELF. I TRUST YOU TO FIGHT AS YOU HAVE EVER FOUGHT HIMSELF. I TRUST YOU TO FIGHT AS YOU HAVE EVER FOUGHT WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, WITH ALL YOU TRANQUIL COURAGE, WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, WITH ALL YOU TRANQUIL COURAGE, WITH ALL YOUR DETERMINATION. ON MANY A HARD FOUGHT WITH ALL YOUR DETERMINATION. ON MANY A HARD FOUGHT FIELD OF BATTLE YOU HAVE OVERCOME THE ENEMY. WITH GOD’S FIELD OF BATTLE YOU HAVE OVERCOME THE ENEMY. WITH GOD’S HELP YOU SHALL ACHIEVE VICTORY ONCE MORE.HELP YOU SHALL ACHIEVE VICTORY ONCE MORE.

• DESPITE THE BEAUTIFUL LANGUAGE, THE ATTACK FOR WHICH IT WAS DESPITE THE BEAUTIFUL LANGUAGE, THE ATTACK FOR WHICH IT WAS WRITTEN NEVER CAMEWRITTEN NEVER CAME

• THE GERMANS NEVER ATTACKED THE CORPS, THEY WERE CONTENT THE GERMANS NEVER ATTACKED THE CORPS, THEY WERE CONTENT TO LET IT SIT IN THE MIDDLE OF A HUGE BULGETO LET IT SIT IN THE MIDDLE OF A HUGE BULGE

• AS THE SITUATION NORTH BECOMES CRITICAL FOR HAIG HE CALLS AS THE SITUATION NORTH BECOMES CRITICAL FOR HAIG HE CALLS ON THE CANADIAN CORPS FOR HELPON THE CANADIAN CORPS FOR HELP

• CDN CORPS FRESH, NOT YET ENGAGEDCDN CORPS FRESH, NOT YET ENGAGED

• HAIG WANTED TO BREAK UP TO REINFORCE IN FOUR SECTORSHAIG WANTED TO BREAK UP TO REINFORCE IN FOUR SECTORS

• CURRIE ADAMANT THAT THIS MUST NOT HAPPENCURRIE ADAMANT THAT THIS MUST NOT HAPPEN

• GOES TO THE CANADIAN WAR OFFICE IN LONDON, APPEALS TO GOES TO THE CANADIAN WAR OFFICE IN LONDON, APPEALS TO JULIEN BYNG FOR HELPJULIEN BYNG FOR HELP

• IN END THE OFFENSIVE OF THE GERMANS PETERS OUT ON THE IN END THE OFFENSIVE OF THE GERMANS PETERS OUT ON THE MARNEMARNE

• THIS IS THE SECOND MIRACLE OF THE MARNE, AS AGAIN THE THIS IS THE SECOND MIRACLE OF THE MARNE, AS AGAIN THE GERMANS WERE WITHIN SIGHT OF PARIS BUT FALL SHORTGERMANS WERE WITHIN SIGHT OF PARIS BUT FALL SHORT

• THIS TIME LONG SUPPLY LINES AND TIRED SOLDIERS WERE THE THIS TIME LONG SUPPLY LINES AND TIRED SOLDIERS WERE THE REASON WHYREASON WHY

• GERMANS REALIZE THEIR NEWLY WON GROUND MUST BE GERMANS REALIZE THEIR NEWLY WON GROUND MUST BE DEFENDED QUICKLY BECAUSE COUNTER ATTACK LIKELYDEFENDED QUICKLY BECAUSE COUNTER ATTACK LIKELY

• HAIG PLANS TO USE THE CANADIANS FRESH AS THEY ARE TO HAIG PLANS TO USE THE CANADIANS FRESH AS THEY ARE TO SPEARHEAD THE COUNTER THRUSTSPEARHEAD THE COUNTER THRUST

• TRICKS GERMANS INTO THINKING CANADIANS IN YPRESTRICKS GERMANS INTO THINKING CANADIANS IN YPRES

• THUS THE GERMANS THINK THE COUNTER OFFENSIVE WILL THUS THE GERMANS THINK THE COUNTER OFFENSIVE WILL BE IN YPRES SALIENT AND PLAN ACCORDINGLYBE IN YPRES SALIENT AND PLAN ACCORDINGLY

• ONCE THE CANADIAN POSITION IN YPRES WELL KNOWN TO ONCE THE CANADIAN POSITION IN YPRES WELL KNOWN TO THE GERMANS, THE CANADIANS ARE ORDERED TO TAKE OFF THE GERMANS, THE CANADIANS ARE ORDERED TO TAKE OFF ALL INSIGNIA AND MARCH SOUTHALL INSIGNIA AND MARCH SOUTH

• THEY ARRIVE IN AMIENS SECTOR,THEY ARRIVE IN AMIENS SECTOR,

• FRENCH DELIGHTED TO SEE US WHEN THEY DISCOVER WHO FRENCH DELIGHTED TO SEE US WHEN THEY DISCOVER WHO WE ARE WE ARE

• OUR IDENTITY WAS GIVEN AWAY BY THE VAN DOOSOUR IDENTITY WAS GIVEN AWAY BY THE VAN DOOS

• NOW THE CANADIAN CORPS PREPARED FOR THE 1918 NOW THE CANADIAN CORPS PREPARED FOR THE 1918 COUNTER OFFENSIVECOUNTER OFFENSIVE

• AMIENSAMIENS

• AMIENS JUST CAPTURED BY GERMANS, NOT FULLY DEFENDED IN AMIENS JUST CAPTURED BY GERMANS, NOT FULLY DEFENDED IN DEPTH, BUT VICTORY HERE RESOUNDING NONE THE LESSDEPTH, BUT VICTORY HERE RESOUNDING NONE THE LESS

• CURRIE DECIDES TO FORGO THE TRADITIONAL PRE CURRIE DECIDES TO FORGO THE TRADITIONAL PRE BOMBARDMENT AND UTILIZE ONLY A CREEPING BARRAGE, THUS BOMBARDMENT AND UTILIZE ONLY A CREEPING BARRAGE, THUS THE GERMANS ARE CAUGHT UNAWARES WHEN THE ATTACK THE GERMANS ARE CAUGHT UNAWARES WHEN THE ATTACK OCCURSOCCURS

• ALSO, OVER 400 BRITISH TANKS ARE USED, AND THE GERMANS ALSO, OVER 400 BRITISH TANKS ARE USED, AND THE GERMANS FLEE FROM THE THEMFLEE FROM THE THEM

• ON AUGUST 8TH THE CANADIAN CORPS ADVANCES EIGHT MILESON AUGUST 8TH THE CANADIAN CORPS ADVANCES EIGHT MILES

• REMEMBER UP TO THIS POINT OBJECTIVES FOR ENTIRE REMEMBER UP TO THIS POINT OBJECTIVES FOR ENTIRE OFFENSIVES WERE MEASURED IN HUNDREDS OF YARDS, THIS OFFENSIVES WERE MEASURED IN HUNDREDS OF YARDS, THIS WAS EIGHT MILESWAS EIGHT MILES

• BRITISH HQ STAFF ARRIVE TO VERIFY THE SUCCESS. THEY DO BRITISH HQ STAFF ARRIVE TO VERIFY THE SUCCESS. THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO.NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO.

• THEY STATE TO CURRIE THAT THE ATTACK HAS PROGRESSED THEY STATE TO CURRIE THAT THE ATTACK HAS PROGRESSED FASTER THAT ANYONE COULD HAVE IMAGINED AND ASK HIS FASTER THAT ANYONE COULD HAVE IMAGINED AND ASK HIS OPINION AS TO WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN NOWOPINION AS TO WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN NOW

• CURRIE RESPONDS WITH THE GOING SEEMS GOOD, LET’S GO ONCURRIE RESPONDS WITH THE GOING SEEMS GOOD, LET’S GO ON

• AUGUST 9AUGUST 9THTH THE CANADIANS ADVANCE ANOTHER 7 MILES THE CANADIANS ADVANCE ANOTHER 7 MILES

• DURING THE ATTACK ON AMIENS 4 GERMAN DIVISIONS WERE WIPED DURING THE ATTACK ON AMIENS 4 GERMAN DIVISIONS WERE WIPED FROM THE BATTLE ORDER, AND 17 OTHERS HAD TO BE PULLED FROM FROM THE BATTLE ORDER, AND 17 OTHERS HAD TO BE PULLED FROM LINE FOR REORGANIZATION LINE FOR REORGANIZATION

• THE ATTACK HAD ALSO BEEN A SURPRISE TO THE GERMANS WHO THE ATTACK HAD ALSO BEEN A SURPRISE TO THE GERMANS WHO THOUGHT THE CANADIANS WERE STILL IN FLANDERSTHOUGHT THE CANADIANS WERE STILL IN FLANDERS

• A GERMAN GENERAL WHEN SURRENDERING TO THE CANADIAN CORPS A GERMAN GENERAL WHEN SURRENDERING TO THE CANADIAN CORPS SAID THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO HANG HIS OWN INTELLIGENCE OFFICERSSAID THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO HANG HIS OWN INTELLIGENCE OFFICERS

• GENERAL LUDENDORFF WHEN HEARING OF THE NEWS CALLS AUGUST GENERAL LUDENDORFF WHEN HEARING OF THE NEWS CALLS AUGUST 8TH THE BLACK DAY OF THE GERMAN ARMY8TH THE BLACK DAY OF THE GERMAN ARMY

• LUDENDORFF’S BROTHER IN LAW WAS THE GERMAN GENERAL DEFEATED LUDENDORFF’S BROTHER IN LAW WAS THE GERMAN GENERAL DEFEATED AT AMIENS AND WHEN QUESTIONED ABOUT THE DEFEAT BY AT AMIENS AND WHEN QUESTIONED ABOUT THE DEFEAT BY LUDENDORFF HE REPLIED THAT THEY COULD NOT STOP THE ONSLAUGHT LUDENDORFF HE REPLIED THAT THEY COULD NOT STOP THE ONSLAUGHT AS THEY WERE UP AGAINST THE CREAM OF THE FRENCH ARMY, AND THE AS THEY WERE UP AGAINST THE CREAM OF THE FRENCH ARMY, AND THE CELEBRATED CANADIAN CORPSCELEBRATED CANADIAN CORPS

• THOUSANDS OF GERMANS SURRENDER. ENTIRE PLATOONS OF THOUSANDS OF GERMANS SURRENDER. ENTIRE PLATOONS OF STARVING MEN SURRENDER TO SINGLE SOLDIERSSTARVING MEN SURRENDER TO SINGLE SOLDIERS

• ONE STARTLED GERMAN OFFICER REPEATEDLY TOLD ONE STARTLED GERMAN OFFICER REPEATEDLY TOLD HIS CAPTORS THEY COULD NOT BE CANADIAN SINCE HIS CAPTORS THEY COULD NOT BE CANADIAN SINCE THE GERMAN ARMY WAS FULLY AWARE THE THE GERMAN ARMY WAS FULLY AWARE THE CANADIANS WERE IN BELGIUMCANADIANS WERE IN BELGIUM

• AFTER THIS ATTACK THE KAISER BEGINS PEACE AFTER THIS ATTACK THE KAISER BEGINS PEACE NEGOTIATIONS NEGOTIATIONS

• EVENTUALLY THE GERMANS ARE PUSHED ALL THE WAY EVENTUALLY THE GERMANS ARE PUSHED ALL THE WAY BACK TO THEIR DEFENSIVE LINES OF 1917 BEFORE BACK TO THEIR DEFENSIVE LINES OF 1917 BEFORE THEIR SPRING OFFENSIVETHEIR SPRING OFFENSIVE

• HERE THE DEFENCES WERE MUCH STRONGER, SO THE HERE THE DEFENCES WERE MUCH STRONGER, SO THE OFFENSIVE OF AMIENS GROUND TO A HALTOFFENSIVE OF AMIENS GROUND TO A HALT

• WEATHER ALSO BECAME A LIMITING ISSUEWEATHER ALSO BECAME A LIMITING ISSUE

• THE CANADIANS WERE PULLED FROM THE SECTOR TO THE CANADIANS WERE PULLED FROM THE SECTOR TO SPEARHEAD ANOTHER OFFENSIVE FURTHER NORTHSPEARHEAD ANOTHER OFFENSIVE FURTHER NORTH

• AFTER AMIENS CDN CORP PULLED NORTH TO BEGIN NEW AFTER AMIENS CDN CORP PULLED NORTH TO BEGIN NEW OFFENSIVEOFFENSIVE

• THIS TO BE THE ATTACK ON THE DROCOURT SWITCHTHIS TO BE THE ATTACK ON THE DROCOURT SWITCH

• THE SWITCH WAS THE DEFENSIVE LINE LINKING HINDENBURG LINE THE SWITCH WAS THE DEFENSIVE LINE LINKING HINDENBURG LINE OF 1914 TO THE NEW LINE AFTER FALL OF VIMYOF 1914 TO THE NEW LINE AFTER FALL OF VIMY

• WAS INCREDIBLY DEEP AND STRONG, CONSIDERED IMPREGNABLEWAS INCREDIBLY DEEP AND STRONG, CONSIDERED IMPREGNABLE

• THAT’S WHY CDNS GET THE JOBTHAT’S WHY CDNS GET THE JOB

• DROCOURT SHORTENED GERMAN LINES ALLOWED DROCOURT SHORTENED GERMAN LINES ALLOWED DEPTHDEPTH

• IF SWITCH FELL HAIG KNEW ENTIRE GERMAN ARMY IF SWITCH FELL HAIG KNEW ENTIRE GERMAN ARMY OUTLFANKEDOUTLFANKED

• THE CANADIANS WERE GIVEN THE TASK OF TAKING THE CANADIANS WERE GIVEN THE TASK OF TAKING THE SWITCHTHE SWITCH

• FOCH VISITS THE CDNS BEFORE ATTACK PRAISES FOCH VISITS THE CDNS BEFORE ATTACK PRAISES THEMTHEM

• FOCH WANTED TO TAKE THE SWITCH THAT WINTER FOCH WANTED TO TAKE THE SWITCH THAT WINTER AND LAUNCH FINAL OFFENSIVE TO END WAR IN AND LAUNCH FINAL OFFENSIVE TO END WAR IN SPRING 1919SPRING 1919

• HAIG’S JOB ON THE LINE. IF WAR CONTINUED INTO HAIG’S JOB ON THE LINE. IF WAR CONTINUED INTO 1919 HE WAS TO BE REPLACED BY CURRIE1919 HE WAS TO BE REPLACED BY CURRIE

• HAIG ONLY STILL AROUND BECAUSE OF CONNECTIONSHAIG ONLY STILL AROUND BECAUSE OF CONNECTIONS

• HAIG’S JOB NOW IN CURRIE’S HANDSHAIG’S JOB NOW IN CURRIE’S HANDS

• IF CURRIE SUCCESSFUL HE SAVES HAIG, CANCELS HIS IF CURRIE SUCCESSFUL HE SAVES HAIG, CANCELS HIS PROMOTIONPROMOTION

• THE SWITCH HAD FIVE DEFENSIVE LINES THE SWITCH HAD FIVE DEFENSIVE LINES

• EACH LINE 1.5 KM DEEP (60M OF BARBED WIRE) EACH LINE 1.5 KM DEEP (60M OF BARBED WIRE) INTERLOCKING TRENCHES AND PILLBOXES..INTERLOCKING TRENCHES AND PILLBOXES..

• CURRIE AGAIN USES NEW TACTICS.CURRIE AGAIN USES NEW TACTICS.

• HE LAUNCHES ATTACK WITH CREEPING BARRAGE AT 3 AM TO HE LAUNCHES ATTACK WITH CREEPING BARRAGE AT 3 AM TO ACHIEVE SURPRISEACHIEVE SURPRISE

• INSTEAD OF A DECIDED UPON LINE OF ATTACK CURRIE INSTEAD OF A DECIDED UPON LINE OF ATTACK CURRIE DECIDES TO LET THE BATTLE DICTATE WHERE HE WILL DECIDES TO LET THE BATTLE DICTATE WHERE HE WILL ATTACKATTACK

• CDN CORPS WOULD ATTACK IN THRUST, WHEN GERMANS CDN CORPS WOULD ATTACK IN THRUST, WHEN GERMANS COMMITTED RESERVES, OTHER TWO DIVS WOULD ALTER COMMITTED RESERVES, OTHER TWO DIVS WOULD ALTER DIRECTION OF THRUSTDIRECTION OF THRUST

• THIS WOULD PREVENT THE GERMANS FROM CONCENTRATING THIS WOULD PREVENT THE GERMANS FROM CONCENTRATING FIRE IN ANY ONE AREAFIRE IN ANY ONE AREA

• THE ATTACK STARTS WELL, DESPITE HEAVY CASUALTIES THE ATTACK STARTS WELL, DESPITE HEAVY CASUALTIES TACTICS CONFUSE GERMANSTACTICS CONFUSE GERMANS

• TACTICS PARTIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUCCESS BUT SO TACTICS PARTIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUCCESS BUT SO TOO IS THE ESPRIT DE CORPS, SOMETHING THE GERMANS NOW TOO IS THE ESPRIT DE CORPS, SOMETHING THE GERMANS NOW LACKINGLACKING

• THIS IS EXEMPLIFIED IN THE VAN DOOSTHIS IS EXEMPLIFIED IN THE VAN DOOS

• IN THEIR ATTACK THEY WERE BOGGED DOWN IN CRATER HOLEIN THEIR ATTACK THEY WERE BOGGED DOWN IN CRATER HOLE

• THEIR SURVIVING OFFICERS GATHERED AND LED THE CHARGE THEIR SURVIVING OFFICERS GATHERED AND LED THE CHARGE FOR THEIR MEN SHOWING BRAVERY AND INSPIRING THE MENFOR THEIR MEN SHOWING BRAVERY AND INSPIRING THE MEN

• OFFICERS LED THE CHARGE, FRENCH SLOGANS, GLORY OF OFFICERS LED THE CHARGE, FRENCH SLOGANS, GLORY OF CANADA ETCCANADA ETC

• THIS INSPIRED THE MEN TO TAKE UP THE CHARGE AND TAKE THE THIS INSPIRED THE MEN TO TAKE UP THE CHARGE AND TAKE THE POSITIONPOSITION

• ONE OF THE OFFICERS WAS GEORGES VANIER FUTURE GOVERNOR ONE OF THE OFFICERS WAS GEORGES VANIER FUTURE GOVERNOR GENERAL OF CANADA.GENERAL OF CANADA.

• HE LOST HIS LEG HEREHE LOST HIS LEG HERE

• GERMAN ATTITUDE BEST SEEN HERE “WE GERMANS DO NOT LIKE GERMAN ATTITUDE BEST SEEN HERE “WE GERMANS DO NOT LIKE YOU CANADIANS. WE FIND YOU VERY DESPERATE MEN”YOU CANADIANS. WE FIND YOU VERY DESPERATE MEN”

• IN THE END, THE SWITCH FELL TO THE CORPS NOT OVER MONTHS, IN THE END, THE SWITCH FELL TO THE CORPS NOT OVER MONTHS, BUT IN FOUR DAYS. GERMAN ARMY OUTLFANKEDBUT IN FOUR DAYS. GERMAN ARMY OUTLFANKED

• AFTER THE BATTLE, LUDENDORFF VISITS THE KAISER AND GIVES AFTER THE BATTLE, LUDENDORFF VISITS THE KAISER AND GIVES HIM THE NEWS.HIM THE NEWS.

• LUDENDORFF TELLS KAISER WILHELM TO SUE FOR PEACE.LUDENDORFF TELLS KAISER WILHELM TO SUE FOR PEACE.

• WILHELM RESPONDS WITH NOW WE HAVE LOST THE WAR. POOR WILHELM RESPONDS WITH NOW WE HAVE LOST THE WAR. POOR FATHERLAND. GOES TO BE FOR TWENTY-FOUR HOURS.FATHERLAND. GOES TO BE FOR TWENTY-FOUR HOURS.

• AFTER DROCOURT THE CDN CORPS WAS SUPPOSED TO REMOVED AFTER DROCOURT THE CDN CORPS WAS SUPPOSED TO REMOVED FOR RESTFOR REST

• NOW HOWEVER FOCH ALTERS PLAN, WHY WAIT UNTIL SPRING TO NOW HOWEVER FOCH ALTERS PLAN, WHY WAIT UNTIL SPRING TO FINISH THE WAR, DO IT NOWFINISH THE WAR, DO IT NOW

• THE ONLY NUT LEFT TO CRACK IN THE GERMAN DEFENSIVES THE ONLY NUT LEFT TO CRACK IN THE GERMAN DEFENSIVES BEFORE AND OPEN MARCH TOWARD GERMANY HERSELF WAS THE BEFORE AND OPEN MARCH TOWARD GERMANY HERSELF WAS THE CANAL DU NORDCANAL DU NORD

• THIS WAS A PARTIALLY COMPLETED CANAL THAT SEPARATED THE THIS WAS A PARTIALLY COMPLETED CANAL THAT SEPARATED THE ALLIES AND THE GERMANSALLIES AND THE GERMANS

• IT WAS 100 FT ACROSS AND THE WATER WAS TOO DEEP TO CROSS IT WAS 100 FT ACROSS AND THE WATER WAS TOO DEEP TO CROSS EASILYEASILY

• ON EACH BANK WAS A BRICK EMBANKMENT 20 FT HIGHON EACH BANK WAS A BRICK EMBANKMENT 20 FT HIGH• CURRIE WAS ORDERED TO USE BOATS AND CROSS THE CANAL ON A CURRIE WAS ORDERED TO USE BOATS AND CROSS THE CANAL ON A

WIDE FRONTWIDE FRONT

• HE FELT THIS TOO DANGEROUSHE FELT THIS TOO DANGEROUS

• INSTEAD HE WANTED THE ENTIRE CORPS TO ATTACK AT THE ONE INSTEAD HE WANTED THE ENTIRE CORPS TO ATTACK AT THE ONE SPOT WHERE THE CANAL WAS NOT COMPLETED. HERE IT WAS DRYSPOT WHERE THE CANAL WAS NOT COMPLETED. HERE IT WAS DRY

• THE BRITISH SUPERIORS FELT THE CONGREGATION OF SUCH THE BRITISH SUPERIORS FELT THE CONGREGATION OF SUCH NUMBERS IN SUCH A SMALL AREA WOULD SPELL DISASTER IF THE NUMBERS IN SUCH A SMALL AREA WOULD SPELL DISASTER IF THE INITIAL THRUST FAILED.INITIAL THRUST FAILED.

• CURRIE WAS ORDERED TO PROCEED WITH THE ORIGINAL PLANCURRIE WAS ORDERED TO PROCEED WITH THE ORIGINAL PLAN

• HE REFUSED, TAKING HIS CASE FIRST TO HAIG THEN BYNG AND IN HE REFUSED, TAKING HIS CASE FIRST TO HAIG THEN BYNG AND IN END ALLOWED TO ATTACK HIS WAY. IF FAILED CURRIE TO BE FIREDEND ALLOWED TO ATTACK HIS WAY. IF FAILED CURRIE TO BE FIRED

• IN THE END THE CANADIANS CROSSED THE CANALIN THE END THE CANADIANS CROSSED THE CANAL

• THE CANADIAN ENGINEERS BUILT BRIDGES AND THE CANADIAN ENGINEERS BUILT BRIDGES AND SCALING TOWERS UNDER DIRECT ENEMY FIRE, SCALING TOWERS UNDER DIRECT ENEMY FIRE, DESPITE THE COSTDESPITE THE COST

• THE CANADIAN DETERMINATION TO WIN THE CANADIAN DETERMINATION TO WIN ACHIEVED VICTORYACHIEVED VICTORY

• THE CANAL AND THE GERMAN LINE OF DEFENCE THE CANAL AND THE GERMAN LINE OF DEFENCE FELL BY THE 9TH OF OCTOBER.FELL BY THE 9TH OF OCTOBER.

• IN THIS LATEST SPEARHEAD THE CANADIAN CORPS ADVANCED 23 IN THIS LATEST SPEARHEAD THE CANADIAN CORPS ADVANCED 23 MILES AND CAPTURED 18,000 POWSMILES AND CAPTURED 18,000 POWS

• BY THE MIDDLE OF OCTOBER, EVERYONE KNEW THE END WAS NEARBY THE MIDDLE OF OCTOBER, EVERYONE KNEW THE END WAS NEAR

• THE GERMAN ARMY WAS IN FULL RETREAT ALL ALONG THE FRONTTHE GERMAN ARMY WAS IN FULL RETREAT ALL ALONG THE FRONT

• YET STILL GERMANY HERSELF HAD NOT BEEN INVADED. THE WAR YET STILL GERMANY HERSELF HAD NOT BEEN INVADED. THE WAR WAS STILL IN FRANCE AND BELGIUMWAS STILL IN FRANCE AND BELGIUM

• MANY WANTED TO TOTALLY DESTROY GERMANY AND HER MILITARY MANY WANTED TO TOTALLY DESTROY GERMANY AND HER MILITARY MIGHTMIGHT

• CURRIE SAID FINISH THE GERMANS OFF OR WILL BE BACK IN 20 YRSCURRIE SAID FINISH THE GERMANS OFF OR WILL BE BACK IN 20 YRS

• BY THE FIRST WEEK OF NOVEMBER THE BRITISH FRONT LINE BY THE FIRST WEEK OF NOVEMBER THE BRITISH FRONT LINE EXTENDED INTO BELGIUM ALL THE WAY TO MONSEXTENDED INTO BELGIUM ALL THE WAY TO MONS

• IT WAS MONS THAT WAS THE FIRST BRITISH DEFEAT OF WWIIT WAS MONS THAT WAS THE FIRST BRITISH DEFEAT OF WWI

• THE BR HIGH COMMAND DECIDED THAT FOR SYMBOLIC THE BR HIGH COMMAND DECIDED THAT FOR SYMBOLIC IMPORTANCE THEY WOULD LIKE TO CAPTURE MONS BEFORE THE IMPORTANCE THEY WOULD LIKE TO CAPTURE MONS BEFORE THE WAR ENDEDWAR ENDED

• OF COURSE THEY GAVE THE JOB TO CURRIE AND THE CORPSOF COURSE THEY GAVE THE JOB TO CURRIE AND THE CORPS

• MONSMONS

• MONS WAS NOT A LARGE BATTLE, NOR IMPORTANT REALLYMONS WAS NOT A LARGE BATTLE, NOR IMPORTANT REALLY

• BY THE TIME THE CANADIANS WERE IN STARTING OFF POINT WITH PLAN IN BY THE TIME THE CANADIANS WERE IN STARTING OFF POINT WITH PLAN IN HAND, IT WAS NOVEMBER 10HAND, IT WAS NOVEMBER 10THTH

• THE MEN KNEW THAT THE ARMISTICE WAS TO GO INTO EFFECT THE NEXT THE MEN KNEW THAT THE ARMISTICE WAS TO GO INTO EFFECT THE NEXT MORNING, SO FEW WANTED TO RISKS DEATH ON EITHER SIDE AT THIS POINTMORNING, SO FEW WANTED TO RISKS DEATH ON EITHER SIDE AT THIS POINT

• THUS THE FIGHTING WAS SPIRITED BUT NOT ALL OUTTHUS THE FIGHTING WAS SPIRITED BUT NOT ALL OUT

• STILL ELEVEN MEN OF THE CORPS DIED TO TAKE A TOWN THAT WOULD BE STILL ELEVEN MEN OF THE CORPS DIED TO TAKE A TOWN THAT WOULD BE THEIRS IN A MATTER OF HOURS.THEIRS IN A MATTER OF HOURS.

• THIS IS HOW THE BRITISH HIGH COMMAND THANKED THE CORPS FOR ALL THIS IS HOW THE BRITISH HIGH COMMAND THANKED THE CORPS FOR ALL HER SERVICEHER SERVICE

• AS A RESULT, THE LAST CANADIAN SOLDIER TO DIE IN WWI WAS KILLED BY A AS A RESULT, THE LAST CANADIAN SOLDIER TO DIE IN WWI WAS KILLED BY A SNIPER’S BULLET AT 10:57 AM ON NOVEMBER 11SNIPER’S BULLET AT 10:57 AM ON NOVEMBER 11THTH

• THREE MINUTES LATER THE WAR WAS OVER AND PRIVATE GEORGE PRICE THREE MINUTES LATER THE WAR WAS OVER AND PRIVATE GEORGE PRICE WAS THE LAST CANADIAN TO DIE IN THE WAR. PROBABLY THE LAST ON THE WAS THE LAST CANADIAN TO DIE IN THE WAR. PROBABLY THE LAST ON THE WESTERN FRONTWESTERN FRONT

• HE IS BURIED NEAR MONS BESIDE THE FIRST BRITISH CASUALTY OF THE HE IS BURIED NEAR MONS BESIDE THE FIRST BRITISH CASUALTY OF THE WAR WHO DIED IN 1914 ALSO IN MONS.WAR WHO DIED IN 1914 ALSO IN MONS.

• ANDY McNAUGHTON WAS FURIOUS HE SAID WHY END THE WAR ANDY McNAUGHTON WAS FURIOUS HE SAID WHY END THE WAR NOW WHEN IT IS GOING OUR WAY. WE GOT THEM ON THE RUN, NOW WHEN IT IS GOING OUR WAY. WE GOT THEM ON THE RUN, NOW WE’LL JUST HAVE TO COME OVER AND FINISH THE JOB IN 25 NOW WE’LL JUST HAVE TO COME OVER AND FINISH THE JOB IN 25 YEARS.YEARS.

• DO THE MATH 1918 PLUS 25 IS 1943 HE WAS PRETTY CLOSEDO THE MATH 1918 PLUS 25 IS 1943 HE WAS PRETTY CLOSE

• IN THE END OVER 619,000 CANADIANS SERVED IN THE GREAT WARIN THE END OVER 619,000 CANADIANS SERVED IN THE GREAT WAR

• 66,655 DIED66,655 DIED

• TO GIVE COMPARISON OF HOW THE CANADIANS CORPS DID IN WWI LOOK AT CHART TO GIVE COMPARISON OF HOW THE CANADIANS CORPS DID IN WWI LOOK AT CHART BELOW FOR THE LAST 100 DAYS OF THE WARBELOW FOR THE LAST 100 DAYS OF THE WAR

• UNITED STATES EXPEDITIONARY FORCEUNITED STATES EXPEDITIONARY FORCE• 650,000 MEN650,000 MEN• ACTIVE 47 OF LAST 100 DAYSACTIVE 47 OF LAST 100 DAYS• ADVANCED 34 MILESADVANCED 34 MILES• CAME IN CONTACT WITH 46 ENEMY DIVISIONSCAME IN CONTACT WITH 46 ENEMY DIVISIONS• TOOK 16,000 POWSTOOK 16,000 POWS• CAPTURED 468 GUNSCAPTURED 468 GUNS• SUFFERED 100,000 CASUALTIESSUFFERED 100,000 CASUALTIES

• THE CANADIAN CORPSTHE CANADIAN CORPS• 105,000 MEN105,000 MEN• ACTIVE 100 OF LAST 100 DAYSACTIVE 100 OF LAST 100 DAYS• ADVANCED 86 MILESADVANCED 86 MILES• CONTACTED 47 ENEMY DIVISIONSCONTACTED 47 ENEMY DIVISIONS• TOOK 32,000 POWSTOOK 32,000 POWS• CAPTURED 623 ENEMY GUNSCAPTURED 623 ENEMY GUNS• SUFFERED 45,000 CASUALTIESSUFFERED 45,000 CASUALTIES