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St. Eloi Craters

Between March 27 and April 19, 1916, the St. Eloi craters became a fierce battleground during World War I. Following the detonation of six massive mines by British forces aimed at German positions, the fight quickly turned into a brutal contest for survival. Despite initial successes, Canadian troops faced relentless German counterattacks, fighting under challenging conditions and suffering significant casualties. Leadership changes occurred due to the disastrous outcomes, marking a defining moment in the Canadian Corps' development amidst the horrors of war.

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St. Eloi Craters

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  1. St. Eloi Craters March – April, 1916

  2. On March 27, 1916 the British forces exploded six enormous mines at the base of a ridge at St. Eloi held by the Germans. Although the explosions buried many of the German defenders, they quickly re-manned their machine guns and rained deadly fire down on the British. Using the craters as cover, the British attempted to take the ridge.

  3. Canada’s 2nd Division relieved the British forces on April 3. There were few of the original attack force left alive. • Canadians were wearing the newly introduced steel helmet. • As the craters filled with water, the Canadians fought off attack after attack. • A series of vicious attacks and counter-attacks occurred over the next 13 days, resulting in the Germans taking four of the six craters.

  4. On April 19, the Germans fired a crushing volley of mortars at the Canadian position, burying the defenders of one of the two craters that remained in Canadian hands. The Canadians surrendered. 1,373 Canadian casualties The Leadership of General Alderson was considered so poor that Sir Douglas Haig replaced him with General Julian Byng as the commander of the Canadian Corps.

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