The “NEW” Styles of Fighting…

1. The “NEW” Styles of Fighting… As has been mentioned, the war envisioned versus what was actually the case in Europe when the Canadians engaged the Triple Alliance, was a rude, and often horrific awakening… New techniques and technologies made the battles of the 1800s a distant part of military history.

2. Battle of Attrition • Also known as “grinding down” • Result of trench warfare • Neither side could gain the upper hand because so opposing forces would try and wear each other down until their opponent “lost their will to fight” • Traditional “frontal attacks” were a thing of the past • The machine gun was the main culprit for this • This also why the first three years of the war saw little movement in regards to who had the upper hand…

3. Total War • Total War = All of a nation’s resources, are organized for one purpose, and one purpose only… WIN THE WAR! • Previously, a nation’s interest on the battle field had little impact back at home • Relationship forever changed, a solid war effort at home was established as a vital tool in a nation’s attempt at conquest • Not to be seen as another battle front, the home effort was responsible for: • production of needed materials, enlisting troops, finance, and an overall organization of the war movement  less worries for those leading and fighting the war overseas…

4. Strategies used to maintain Total War philosophy • Countries introduced conscription • Compulsory military enlistment • Despite the “rift” created in Canada… • Main reason: Casualty list was growing far too fast • Industrialization was re-tooled • Domestic products were put on the back burner, all production was aimed at war needs • Financing plans were established to pay for the war • War Bonds (buy from Government, like a loan) • Income Tax introduced • The teacher, lawyer, & businessman became as important due to their contribution at home as was the soldier abroad – created a further sense of pride…

5. War movement Propaganda Propaganda - form of communication aimed towards influencing the attitude of the community toward some cause or position by presenting only one side of an argument.

6. Further changes as a result of ‘Total War’ • Roles of the home front changed • Women took on different roles, especially as jobs became vacated with men enlisting and/or being conscripted • Children even were used to collect scrap metal to aid in the process of production • Total war emphasises the fact that the TOTAL population was, and needed to be involved…

7. Changes in Technology • Tanks: • Used for the first time (Battle of the Somme) • Solve the trench warfare stalemate • At first, tanks = clumsy; by 1918 they were major reason for Allied Victory • Poison Gas: • Used first by Germans • Chlorine Gas pumped into no man’s land • Blindness, stripped lining of lungs, “drown to death” • Bodies would swell and bloat… • Before Gas Mask: Pee on cloth and cover mouth & nose…

8. Changes in Technology II Machine Gun: Accounted for most of the deaths during war Changes @ Sea: Submarines; small and inefficient, torpedoes could still sink the largest ships Germans used to eliminate supply routs to Britain Attempt to starve Britain into submission Foreshadow to USA involvement… Changes in the Air: Single pilot airplanes Engage in “dogfights” More or less use in experimental role 1 hour flight length before refuel (if you made it that long)

9. Canadians had to join the British Air Force 1914: 40% were Canadian German Ace: Red Baron Germany’s most successful Fighter Ace with 80 kills. He was shot down by Canadian Capitan Roy Brown. Canadian Ace: Billy Bishop Credited with 72 kills Received Victoria Cross, British Military honour for courage and bravery. Canadians in the Air…

10. The Land Battles: Western Front • Battle of Ypres, April 1915 • First case of Canadian trench fighting w/ French • First use of Poison Gas by Germans • 6,000 Canadians died before reinforcements arrived • “In Flanders Fields” was written by Canadian Lt. Col. John McCrae following this battle

11. The Land Battles: Western Front • Battle of Verdun, February 1916 • Germany vs. France • Lasted 6 months • French lost 500,000 men • Battle of Attrition • The French did not recover “psychologically” from this battle…

12. The Land Battles: Western Front • Battle of the Somme, July 1916 • Allied attack on Germans while they were busy with French • Means to end trench warfare • Failed: • 20,000 Canadians killed; NFLD Regiment had 90% casualties (killed or hurt). • 57, 000 British killed, biggest loss ever… • After 5 Months, moved a few miles…

13. Battle of the Somme: Key Points • Led by British GENERAL DOUGLAS HAIG: • pro-cavalry warfare  old strategies that cost thousands of lives “unavoidable death” • REASONS IT FAILED: • 1- Allies shells to weak to penetrate German concrete bunkers buried deep underground • 2- Underground explosions did not dislodge wire protecting German trenches  allies were trapped in no-mans land • 3- The allies were carrying 25-60 kilograms • 4- A mine was detonated 10 minutes early  Germans were warned & the element of surprise was gone • 5- Also, they attacked in broad daylight (too many delays)… • 6- Continued with the battle despite the casualties • 7- 23 Canadians were shot ‘at dawn’ as they refused to return to the front as they were suffering from shell shock • IN THE END: • 600,000 Allied casualties • 236,000 German  refer to it as “das Blutbad” –the blood bath • At this point of the War, both sides casualties had reached 1.25 million

14. The Land Battles: Western Front • Battle of Vimy Ridge, April 1917 • Canadian troops attacked Germans (150, 000 French & British had died already) • Extensive amount of planning went into this battle • Underground tunnels etc • CAN losses 3,000 killed, 7,000 injured • Allies regained Vimy, turning point in the war

15. Vimy Ridge: Significance for Canada • The capture of Vimy Ridge was the first time Canadians worked together as one, independent of British; this became the first symbol of Canadian Nationhood • Canadians recognized as some of the best troops… • “… whenever the Germans found the Canadian corps coming into the line they prepared for the worst…” • British PM Lloyd George • Arthur Currie was promoted to replace British Gen Byng • This marked the end of British leading Canadians

16. “Super-cenotaph” Nothing of its kind in war torn France Completed in 1937 during the depression. PM Mackenzie King Vimy Monument

17. The Land Battles: Western Front • Battle of Passchendaele, October 1917 • Canadian troops vs. German • Gen Currie was hesitant because he thought that troops could not fight through the mud  he was overruled! • Canadians were successful and took the town, holding it until reinforcements arrived • 1 out of 5 survived, 16,000 died • Only gained 7 kilometres of mud, of which the Germans soon won back