THE SOMME – The Somme was one of the biggest battles of the war, lasting over 5 months and costing the allies (Canadians, British, etc.) over 600,000 casualties. The battle, which began in September 1916, marked the first time ever that tanks were used in battle. The tanks proved ineffective as they easily became bogged down in the mud, but they would soon change the face of warfare.
VIMY RIDGE – The Battle of Vimy Ridge marked the first time the Canadian Expeditionary Force had attacked as a National unit, not under command of British Forces. The battle, fought in a tremendous sleet storm, was the most important victory on the Western Front at the time. Won over Easter Monday 1917, the Canadians took 4000 German prisoners, but lost 3600 lives.
PASSCHENDAELE – The Battle of Passchendaele took place in the fall of 1917. Although 700 Canadians died and 1500 wounded in this month-long battle, it was all for nothing as the Germans won back the territory soon afterwards. Even British politicians, including Even Prime Minister Lloyd George, thought that the Passchendalele offensive was a waste and insane. The generals who order the attack were relieved of command after the battle.
Most of the fighting was done in a sea of mud, where footing was difficult and cover non-existent. It marked the first time that the Germans used mustard gas, a poisonous subsistence that caused severe burns to the skin.
