Canadian armed forces from World War I
POPULARITY
Today marks 108 years since the Canadian Corps attacked Vimy Ridge, marking the first time all four Canadian divisions fought together as a cohesive unit. Nearly 3,600 Canadian soldiers died and about 7,000 were wounded. Tamara Cherry welcomes Tim Cook, chief historian and director of research for the Canadian War Museum, to remember this notable day in Canadian history.
Guest After completing an undergraduate degree in history and political science at Simon Fraser University, Paul McNicholls spent a career in insurance claims investigation. When nearing retirement, he was approached by the UK publisher Helion and Company, and the result was his first book Journey Through the Wilderness. He is now writing the story of Donald Montgomery who served with the Canadian Corps in the First World War. He moved to Vancouver in 1908 and was the older brother by one year of Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery. In 2021, Paul received the Howard Browne Medal from the Victorian Military Society. Summary In this episode, Jeff and Paul explore the historical significance of World War II's Battle of the Bulge, coinciding with its 80th anniversary. Paul explains Hitler's campaign goals, including his desire to split the American and British alliances and capture the port of Antwerp. Jeff provides the context for some of the events leading to the battle: the Allied breakout from the Normandy beaches, the Ally's ill-fated Market Garden campaign, and the disastrous Battle of the Hurtgen Forest. Their conversation also focuses on the challenges of the harsh winter conditions, the U.S.'s initial troop limitations, and the German force's need for fuel. The conversation also highlights lesser-known stories, such as the Malmedy Massacre and the brutal realities faced by soldiers in the Ardennes. Paul and Jeff share their experiences walking historic battlefields and how physically visiting these sites provides a deeper understanding of history's emotional and human elements. The discussion concludes with reflections on the importance of preserving these stories and their enduring lessons about leadership, resilience, and the cost of conflict. Three Takeaways Battlefield Lessons: The Battle of the Bulge illustrates the significance of tactical decisions, resource limitations, and the human cost of war in shaping history. Emotional Connection to History: Walking historic battlefields fosters a deeper understanding of the physical and emotional challenges the soldiers faced. Preserving Stories for the Future: Sharing lesser-known events, like the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest and the Malmedy Massacre, deepens the public's understanding of the critical lessons of history. Social Media LinkedIn Referenced The Malmady Massacre: The War Crimes Trial Controversy by Steven Remy When Senator Joe McCarthy Defended the Nazis Smithsonian July 2020 Rachel Maddow Ultra Season 2 The Boys' Crusade by Paul Fussell Voices of the Bulge by Michael Collins and Martin King About Jeff Jeff Ikler is the Director of Quetico Leadership and Career Coaching. “Quetico” (KWEH-teh-co). He works with leaders in all aspects of life to identify and overcome obstacles in their desired future. He came to the field of coaching after a 35-year career in educational publishing. Prior to his career in educational publishing, Jeff taught high school U.S. history and government. Jeff has hosted the “Getting Unstuck—Cultivating Curiosity” podcast for 5 years. The guests and topics he explores are designed to help listeners think differently about the familiar and welcome the new as something to consider. He is also the co-host of the Cultivating Resilience – A Whole Community Approach to Alleviating Trauma in Schools, which promotes mental health and overall wellness. Jeff co-authored Shifting: How School Leaders Can Create a Culture of Change. Shifting integrates leadership development and change mechanics in a three-part change framework to help guide school leaders and their teams toward productive change.
South of the Norman city of Caen, Verrières Ridge was seen a key stepping-stone for the British Second Army if it was to break out of the Normandy bridgehead in late July 1944. Imposing in height and containing perfect terrain for armored operations, the Germans viewed it as the lynchpin to their defenses south of the city of Caen and east of the Orne river. Following the failure of British Operation Goodwood on 18-20 July and the containment of the Canadian Operation Atlantic, further Allied attacks to seize the ridge would have to defeat arguably the strongest German armored formation in Normandy: The I. SS-Panzerkorps 'Leibstandarte.' In the second volume of this two-volume work, the fighting of 23 July-3 August is chronicled in detail, specifically the premier Anglo-Canadian operation to capture Verrières Ridge, Operation Spring on 25 July. Designed as an attack to seize the ridge and exploit south with armor, this battle saw the 2nd Canadian Corps attack savaged again by German armored reserves brought in specifically to defeat another Goodwood. Not satisfied with this defensive victory, German armored forces would then seek to restore an earlier defensive line further north, attacking to destroy the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division. Largely unknown, these were some of the strongest and most successful German armored operations to take place in the Normandy campaign. An interview about the first volume of Bloody Verrières is here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
South of the Norman city of Caen, Verrières Ridge was seen a key stepping-stone for the British Second Army if it was to break out of the Normandy bridgehead in late July 1944. Imposing in height and containing perfect terrain for armored operations, the Germans viewed it as the lynchpin to their defenses south of the city of Caen and east of the Orne river. Following the failure of British Operation Goodwood on 18-20 July and the containment of the Canadian Operation Atlantic, further Allied attacks to seize the ridge would have to defeat arguably the strongest German armored formation in Normandy: The I. SS-Panzerkorps 'Leibstandarte.' In the second volume of this two-volume work, the fighting of 23 July-3 August is chronicled in detail, specifically the premier Anglo-Canadian operation to capture Verrières Ridge, Operation Spring on 25 July. Designed as an attack to seize the ridge and exploit south with armor, this battle saw the 2nd Canadian Corps attack savaged again by German armored reserves brought in specifically to defeat another Goodwood. Not satisfied with this defensive victory, German armored forces would then seek to restore an earlier defensive line further north, attacking to destroy the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division. Largely unknown, these were some of the strongest and most successful German armored operations to take place in the Normandy campaign. An interview about the first volume of Bloody Verrières is here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history
South of the Norman city of Caen, Verrières Ridge was seen a key stepping-stone for the British Second Army if it was to break out of the Normandy bridgehead in late July 1944. Imposing in height and containing perfect terrain for armored operations, the Germans viewed it as the lynchpin to their defenses south of the city of Caen and east of the Orne river. Following the failure of British Operation Goodwood on 18-20 July and the containment of the Canadian Operation Atlantic, further Allied attacks to seize the ridge would have to defeat arguably the strongest German armored formation in Normandy: The I. SS-Panzerkorps 'Leibstandarte.' In the second volume of this two-volume work, the fighting of 23 July-3 August is chronicled in detail, specifically the premier Anglo-Canadian operation to capture Verrières Ridge, Operation Spring on 25 July. Designed as an attack to seize the ridge and exploit south with armor, this battle saw the 2nd Canadian Corps attack savaged again by German armored reserves brought in specifically to defeat another Goodwood. Not satisfied with this defensive victory, German armored forces would then seek to restore an earlier defensive line further north, attacking to destroy the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division. Largely unknown, these were some of the strongest and most successful German armored operations to take place in the Normandy campaign. An interview about the first volume of Bloody Verrières is here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/military-history
South of the Norman city of Caen, Verrières Ridge was seen a key stepping-stone for the British Second Army if it was to break out of the Normandy bridgehead in late July 1944. Imposing in height and containing perfect terrain for armored operations, the Germans viewed it as the lynchpin to their defenses south of the city of Caen and east of the Orne river. Following the failure of British Operation Goodwood on 18-20 July and the containment of the Canadian Operation Atlantic, further Allied attacks to seize the ridge would have to defeat arguably the strongest German armored formation in Normandy: The I. SS-Panzerkorps 'Leibstandarte.' In the second volume of this two-volume work, the fighting of 23 July-3 August is chronicled in detail, specifically the premier Anglo-Canadian operation to capture Verrières Ridge, Operation Spring on 25 July. Designed as an attack to seize the ridge and exploit south with armor, this battle saw the 2nd Canadian Corps attack savaged again by German armored reserves brought in specifically to defeat another Goodwood. Not satisfied with this defensive victory, German armored forces would then seek to restore an earlier defensive line further north, attacking to destroy the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division. Largely unknown, these were some of the strongest and most successful German armored operations to take place in the Normandy campaign. An interview about the first volume of Bloody Verrières is here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/german-studies
South of the Norman city of Caen, Verrières Ridge was seen a key stepping-stone for the British Second Army if it was to break out of the Normandy bridgehead in late July 1944. Imposing in height and containing perfect terrain for armored operations, the Germans viewed it as the lynchpin to their defenses south of the city of Caen and east of the Orne river. Following the failure of British Operation Goodwood on 18-20 July and the containment of the Canadian Operation Atlantic, further Allied attacks to seize the ridge would have to defeat arguably the strongest German armored formation in Normandy: The I. SS-Panzerkorps 'Leibstandarte.' In the second volume of this two-volume work, the fighting of 23 July-3 August is chronicled in detail, specifically the premier Anglo-Canadian operation to capture Verrières Ridge, Operation Spring on 25 July. Designed as an attack to seize the ridge and exploit south with armor, this battle saw the 2nd Canadian Corps attack savaged again by German armored reserves brought in specifically to defeat another Goodwood. Not satisfied with this defensive victory, German armored forces would then seek to restore an earlier defensive line further north, attacking to destroy the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division. Largely unknown, these were some of the strongest and most successful German armored operations to take place in the Normandy campaign. An interview about the first volume of Bloody Verrières is here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/british-studies
It was one of the most important battle victories for the Canadians during the First World War, but it is often lost in the shadow of Vimy Ridge. The battle saw thousands of casualties, but was the first time the Canadian Corps were led by a Canadian general. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Want to send me something? Craig Baird PO Box 2384 Stony Plain PO Main, Alberta T7Z1X8 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Pour ce deuxième rendez-vous enregistré au FME, on retrouve Benoit et Pierre, couvert d'or après leur gros contrat de la veille, pour discuter avec la directrice du Petit-Théâtre du Vieux-Noranda, Rosalie Chartier-Lacombe. On jase avec elle de tous les projets du Petit-Théâtre qui a beaucoup développé l'art numérique et la culture, de la riche histoire culturelle de la salle autrefois connu sous le nom du Canadian Corps et on s'interroge sur la véritable prononciation de Valentin Foch (et non F*ck) Bref, une magnifique discussion avec une grande développeuse culturelle en région.
The capture of Vimy Ridge by the Canadian Corps in April 1917 was one of Canada's iconic moments in the Great War. In another of our Battlefields In A Day series we look at the wider Vimy Ridge battlefield, seeing some lesser-known locations and getting an understanding of this important battle. Support the show
Serving as Canada's Governor General from 1921 to 1926, Julian Byng was the former Commander of the Canadian Corps during the First World War. As Governor General, he would fundamentally alter the role of the position due to the King-Byng Affair of 1926. Get 20% off your Manscaped order by going to www.manscaped.com and using the code EHX Support: www.patreon.com/canadaehx Donate: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/craigU Donate: www.canadaehx.com E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/craigbaird Instagram: @Bairdo37 YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx
April 12, 1917. In one of the defining moments of World War One, the Canadian Corps triumphs over the Germans at the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On the 105th anniversary of the start of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, three of Canada's foremost historians join this special episode of History Hack, in association with the Great War Group, to discuss the battle, its aftermath and the myth-making that has to lead to it being called by some in Canada "The Birth of a Nation". Joining our resident Canadian Boney and Great War Group Trustee Andrew Lock are: Author, historian and cartographer Mike Bechthold PhD. Mike specialises in the fields of military airpower, the Canadian army in Normandy and Northwest Europe and the Canadian Corps in the Great War. He currently teaches history at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Photographic historian Carla-Jean Stokes. Carla-Jean won the Photographic Historical Society of Canada thesis prize for her paper, “British Official First World War Photographs, 1916-1918: Arranging and Contextualizing a Collection of Prints at the Art Gallery of Ontario” which was later published in Photographic Canadiana. Author and historian Dr Tim Cook CM. Tim is the Senior Historian at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa and is the author of 13 books on Canada in the Great War and Second World War, including Vimy: The Battle and the Legend. In 2014, Tim was appointed a member of the Order of Canada. Learn more about The Great War Group at: https://greatwargroup.com/ Check out the Canadian War Museum at: https://www.warmuseum.ca/ Visit the History Hack Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/historyhack Support the Pod from just £3 a month or drop us a tip at: https://linktr.ee/historyhack Buy our Merch! https://shop.historyhackpod.com/
Over a three-day period in April of 1917, at the height of the Great War (World War One), the Battle of Vimy Ridge was fought between the Canadian Corps and the German Sixth Army. What made this particular skirmish so important and unique was not so much its outcome but what it represented. To this day, Canadians look to this battle as a turning point in their history, one in which the nation, which had long since stood in the shadow of the British Empire, proved that it could stand on its own two feet among the world's greatest countries. Tune in to this all new episode to learn all about it. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/historylovescompany/support
This week Lis, Katie, and Patrick discuss the history of Remembrance Day. Take a critical look at how war is commemorated in Canada, and why it needs to be changed. Mentioned in this Episode: Purchase your own White Peace Poppy HERE Some Desperate Glory, Max Egremont The War That Ended Peace: The Road to 1914, Margaret MacMillan Paris 1919, Margaret MacMillan Between Commemoration and History: The Historiography of the Canadian Corps and Military Overseas, Humphries, Mark Osborne. Connect with Us! On Instagram @thedigitaldustpodcast + check out our website! Join our bookclub, the Dust Jacket! Have suggestions and comments? Email us: thedigitaldustpodcast@gmail.com
The Principles of War - Lessons from Military History on Strategy, Tactics and Leadership.
This is a special miniseries to celebrate 150 years of Permanent Artillery since the formation of A and B Batteries, Royal Canadian Artillery. This episode details the conduct of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, a stunning success for the Canadian Corps. This follows on from our Bullecourt series. The Battle of Bullecourt occured 48 hours later and 30 km south of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. We will compare and contrast Vimy Ridge with Bullecourt to highlight to real cost of failing to correctly plan and resource an attack. Check out the show notes for the podcast for all of the information that we cover in this episode as well as the images and other details that didn't make it into the podcast.
In this episode, I look at the closing stages of the Third Ypres campaign. We see how the troops floundered in the mud, as the artillery struggled to hit its targets throughout the rain which plagued mid-October. Then I explain how the Canadian Corps fought its way onto the Passchendaele Ridge; but at tremendous cost in lives.
In this episode, I look at the opening day of the Arras, or Artois campaign, which began on 9 April 1917. We see how the Canadian Corps captured Vimy Ridge, on First Army's front, north of Arras. Then I describe how Third Army advanced several miles across a broad front, east of the city.
Talking today with Dawne McLean, President of the Albert County Historical Society "The majority of the men who joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) from Albert County joined the 26th Battalion, The New Brunswick Battalion. The famed "Fighting 26th" participated in all of the major battles in which the Canadian Corps was involved: Mount Sorrel; Somme 1916, 1918; Flers-de Courcelette; Thiepval; Ancre Heights; Arras 1917, 1918; Vimy 1917; Arleux; Scarpe 1917, 1918; Hill 70; Ypres 1917; Passchendaele; Amiens; Hindenburg Line; Canal du Nord; Cambrai 1918; Pursuit to Mons. The battalion was disbanded on 30 August 1920. The 26th is continued today by the Royal New Brunswick Regiment." - Albert County Museum
The Battle of the Somme had raged for two months before the Canadian Corps would take part. That battle was the Battle of Courcelette, and it would feature the first use of tanks in warfare, and the creeping artillery barrage. While the Canadians would win the day, it would come at the cost of 7,000 killed or wounded soldiers. E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Support: www.patreon.com/canadaehx Website: www.canadaehx.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/craigbaird Facebook: www.facebook.com/canadianhistoryehx
The Canadian Corps successfully captured Vimy Ridge in the First World ...
To learn more about the first Canadian General of of the Canadian Corps, we spoke with Dr. Tim Cook author of "The Madman and the Butcher: The Sensational Wars of Sam Hughes and General Arthur Currie."
The Third Battle of Ypres (German: Dritte Flandernschlacht; French: Troisième Bataille des Flandres and Dutch: Derde Slag om Vlaanderen), also known as the Battle of Passchendaele (/ˈpæʃəndeɪl/), was a campaign of the First World War, fought by the Allies against the German Empire.[a] The battle took place on the Western Front, from July to November 1917, for control of the ridges south and east of the Belgian city of Ypres in West Flanders, as part of a strategy decided by the Allies at conferences in November 1916 and May 1917. Passchendaele lies on the last ridge east of Ypres, 5 mi (8.0 km) from Roulers (now Roeselare) junction of the Bruges (Brugge) to Kortrijk railway. The station at Roulers was on the main supply route of the German 4th Army. Once Passchendaele Ridge had been captured, the Allied advance was to continue to a line from Thourout (now Torhout) to Couckelaere (Koekelare). Further operations and a British supporting attack along the Belgian coast from Nieuport (Nieuwpoort), combined with an amphibious landing (Operation Hush), were to have reached Bruges and then the Dutch frontier. The resistance of the 4th Army, unusually wet weather in August, the beginning of the autumn rains in October and the diversion of British and French resources to Italy, enabled the Germans to avoid the general withdrawal which had seemed inevitable in early October. The campaign ended in November, when the Canadian Corps captured Passchendaele, apart from local attacks in December and early in the new year. The Battle of the Lys (Fourth Battle of Ypres) and the Fifth Battle of Ypres of 1918, were fought before the Allies occupied the Belgian coast and reached the Dutch frontier. A campaign in Flanders was controversial in 1917 and has remained so. The British Prime Minister, David Lloyd George, opposed the offensive, as did General Ferdinand Foch, the Chief of Staff of the French Army. Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, commander of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), did not receive approval for the Flanders operation from the War Cabinet until 25 July. Matters of dispute by the participants, writers and historians since 1917 include the wisdom of pursuing an offensive strategy in the wake of the Nivelle Offensive, rather than waiting for the arrival of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) in France. The choice of Flanders, its climate, the selection of General Hubert Gough and the Fifth Army to conduct the offensive, debates over the nature of the opening attack and between advocates of shallow and deeper objectives, remain controversial. The time between the Battle of Messines (7–14 June) and the first Allied attack (the Battle of Pilckem Ridge, 31 July), the extent to which the internal troubles of the French armies influenced the British, the effect of the exceptional weather, the decision to continue the offensive in October and the human costs of the campaign, are also debated. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thehistoryexpress/support
Well its been a bit of a slog putting this together but I think you will find that that it will be worth it, share this with any Canadian friends you know, as I think they will love it. Fingers crossed.The Battle of Vimy Ridge was part of the Battle of Arras, in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France, during the First World War. The main combatants were the four divisions of the Canadian Corps in the First Army, against three divisions of the German 6th Army. The battle took place from 9 to 12 April 1917 at the beginning of the Battle of Arras, the first attack of the Nivelle Offensive, which was intended to attract German reserves from the French, before their attempt at a decisive offensive on the Aisne and the Chemin des Dames ridge further south.The Canadian Corps was to capture the German-held high ground of Vimy Ridge, an escarpment on the northern flank of the Arras front. This would protect the First Army and the Third Army farther south from German enfilade fire. Supported by a creeping barrage, the Canadian Corps captured most of the ridge during the first day of the attack. The village of Thélus fell during the second day, as did the crest of the ridge, once the Canadian Corps overran a salient against considerable German resistance. The final objective, a fortified knoll located outside the village of Givenchy-en-Gohelle, fell to the Canadians on 12 April. The 6th Army then retreated to the Oppy–Méricourt line.
Since the late 1990s, Canadian historian Tim Cook has carved out a niche in the field of First World War history. In his two-volume social history of the war, he spoke of a soldiers’ culture, which bound Canadians together on the battlefields and helped them cope with the immense stress and strain of war from 1914 to 1918. This year, published with Allen Lane, Tim released The Secret History of Soldiers, a book dedicated solely to this soldiers’ culture that has become his most significant contribution to our understanding of the First World War in Canada. Tim speaks of a few of the aspects of this soldiers’ culture, including swearing, slang and material objects. At the end of the war, this culture did not necessarily disappear. In Legion halls and reunions, veterans recreated this culture in a civilian world, however temporary it might have been. Tim Cook is the First World War historian at the Canadian War Museum. He is the author of 11 books, including Shock Troops, Vimy and most recently, The Secret History of Soldiers. Among many others, he is the recipient of the RBC Taylor Prize, J.W. Dafoe Prize (twice), Ottawa Book Award (twice) and the C.P. Stacey Award (twice). He was recently awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Governor General’s History Award for Popular Media. He is a Member of the Order of Canada. References Tim Cook. “Battles of the Imagined Past: Canada’s Great War and Memory.” Canadian Historical Review 95, no. 3 (2014): 417–26. ------. The Secret History of Soldiers: How Canadians Survived the Great War. Toronto: Allen Lane, 2018. ------. Vimy: The Battle and the Legend. Toronto: Allen Lane, 2017. Mark Humphries. “Between Commemoration and History: The Historiography of the Canadian Corps and Military Overseas.” Canadian Historical Review 95, no. 3 (2014): 384–97. Amy Shaw. “Expanding the Narrative: A First World War with Women, Children, and Grief.” Canadian Historical Review 95, no. 3 (2014): 398–406. Jonathan F. Vance. Death So Noble: Memory, Meaning and the First World War. Vancouver: UBC Press, 1997.
Tim Cook loves to write. As many Canadian historians will attest, Tim is one of the most prolific writers in the profession––both in terms of volume and content. Since 1998, Tim has published a dozen books on the First and Second World Wars, greatly advancing our knowledge of both. But how does he do it? In this month’s episode, Tim discusses the process of researching and writing, as well as his new book, The Secret History of Soldiers, published with Allen Lane this year. In a jaw-dropping statement, Tim revealed how many words he writes per week. Tim Cook is the First World War historian at the Canadian War Museum. He has published a dozen books on the history of the First and Second World Wars and is the recipient of many awards for his writing including the RBC Taylor Prize, the J.W. Dafoe Prize (twice) and the C.P. Stacey Prize (twice). He was recently awarded the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Governor General's History Award for Popular Media. Tim is a Member of the Order of Canada. References Tim Cook. At the Sharp End: Canadians Fighting the Great War, 1914–1916. Toronto: Viking Canada, 2007. ------. Clio’s Warriors: Canadian Historians and the Writing of the World Wars. Vancouver: UBC Press, 2006. ------. Fight to the Finish: Canadians Fighting the Second World War, 1944–1945. Toronto: Allen Lane, 2015. ------. “‘More a Medicine than a Beverage’: ‘Demon Rum’ and the Canadian Trench Soldier of the First World War,” Canadian Military History 9, no. 1 (2000): 6–22. ------. The Necessary War: Canadians Fighting the Second World War, 1939–1943. Toronto: Allen Lane, 2014. ------. No Place to Run: The Canadian Corps and Gas Warfare in the First World War. Vancouver: UBC Press, 1998. ------. The Secret History of Soldiers: How Canadians Survived the Great War. Toronto: Allen Lane, 2018. ------. Shock Troops: Canadians Fighting the Great War, 1917–1918. Toronto: Viking Canada, 2008. ------. “The Top Ten Most Important Books of Canadian Military History.” Canadian Military History 18, no. 4 (2009): 65–74. Richard Holmes. Firing Line. London: Cape, 1985. Desmond Morton. When Your Number’s Up: The Canadian Soldier in the Great War. Toronto: Random House, 1993. Bill Rawling. Surviving Trench Warfare: Technology and the Canadian Corps, 1914–1918. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1992.
Recently, the Pan Am cyclocross championships came to Midland, Ont. Many of Canada’s top CXers were there vying for the intercontinental honours. Hours before Michael van den Ham lined up in the elite men’s race, he met with producer Adam Killick for a crash course on riding in the sand. For more on the Pan Am CX champs, check out video from within the elite men’s race. Web editor Terry McKall hangs on for as long as he can, trying to avoid the 80 per cent rule, which clears off riders before the race leaders might lap the slower CXers. This fall, Ted Glenn released his book, Riding into Battle, which focuses on the combat cyclists of the Canadian Corps and what they faced in during the First World War. The fighting was fierce and the bikes were heavy. Finally, David Jack, coach and derny driver at the Mattamy National Cycling Centre, speaks about the art of managing a keirin race and how a wrong turn led him deeper into the Japanese keirin scene. Rate us on iTunes, Google Play or wherever you get your podcasts. Get in touch with us at podcast@cyclingmagazine.ca Artwork by Maxine Gravina The Canadian Cycling Magazine Podcast thanks the Ontario Media Development Corp. for its support.
The 100 Days Campaign brought about the collapse of the German army on the Western Front and was a key contributor the end of the First World War. This campaign saw the Canadian Corps spearhead a number of brutal battles as the trench deadlock of the western front was finally broken and open warfare began to return to the fields of France and Belgium. However, the Canadian Corps would pay a staggering price for their success.
For a special Remembrance Day episode of Curiosity in Focus, Daniel was joined by retired engineer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Jack Gin to learn about the incredible tale of Frederick Lee. Frederick was born into a respected Chinese Canadian merchant family with ties to the Hudson's Bay Company. His family had actually immigrated to Canada from a county near the city of Guangzhou, China - much like Daniel's did in the 1960s. Fred was one of approximately 300 Canadians of Chinese descent who served with the Canadian Corps during the First World War. His previously unknown tale is one of courage and determination against widespread social and legal discrimination faced by the Chinese communities living in Canada. Frederick fought in and survived the Battle of Vimy Ridge as a machine gunner for the 172nd (Rocky Mountain Rangers) Battalion. He later fought in and was killed in the Battle of Hill 70. He's among the 11,285 Canadians who were killed in France and whose final resting place remains unknown. Don't forget to subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher Radio, and Google Play Music! Today's show is brought to you by Grammarly and Warby Parker. Download Grammarly’s intelligent writing app and create a free Grammarly account at: getgrammarly.com/staycurious. Get a FREE 5-Day Home Try-On at warbyparkertrial.com/staycurious. Five pairs. Five days. One-hundred percent free. Support the Curiosity in Focus podcast on Patreon at www.patreon.com/curiosityinfocus Twitter @danielhkwan & curiousinfocus Instagram @danielhkwan YouTube: youtube.com/curiosityinfocus Facebook: facebook.com/curiosityinfocus Learn more about the Chinese Canadian Military Museum (ccmms.ca) and donate to the Frederick Lee walkway at the Hill 70 memorial (fredleehill70.ca). Get in touch with Jack Gin at info@ccmms.ca.
In late October of 1917 the Canadian Corps was tasked with capturing a ridge line which contained the destroyed remnants of the village of Passchendaele. Though part of the larger offensive known as the Third Battle of Ypres, it is the name Passchendaele which now evokes all the horrors of the First World War.
100 years ago today, August 15 1917, the Canadian Corps commanded by their newly appointed corps commander Arthur Currie were ordered to capture the city of Lens in support of the larger British offensive known as the Third Battle of Ypres. Currie changed the plans to focus on the slopes of Hill 70 and what ensued was a textbook 'bite and hold' operation.
Discover Library and Archives Canada: Your History, Your Documentary Heritage
April 2017 marks the 100th anniversary of the attack and capture of Vimy Ridge, when all four divisions of the Canadian Corps worked together for the first time. During the First World War, over 25,000 Canadians served with the British Flying Service as pilots, observers and mechanics, and even though the Battle of Vimy Ridge is better known as a ground offensive, many of the preparations for the assault on Vimy took place in the air. In Part 2 of this episode, we once again sit down with Bill Rawling, historian and author of the book Surviving Trench Warfare, and Hugh Halliday, author and retired curator at the Canadian War Museum, to discuss the role Canada and her allies played in the air over Vimy Ridge and Arras in April 1917, a month known as "Bloody April".
Discover Library and Archives Canada: Your History, Your Documentary Heritage
April 2017 marks the 100th anniversary of the attack and capture of Vimy Ridge, when all four divisions of the Canadian Corps worked together for the first time. During the First World War, over 25,000 Canadians served with the British Flying Service as pilots, observers and mechanics, and even though the Battle of Vimy Ridge is better known as a ground offensive, many of the preparations for the assault on Vimy took place in the air. In Part 1 of this episode, we sit down with Bill Rawling, historian and author of the book Surviving Trench Warfare, and Hugh Halliday, author and retired curator at the Canadian War Museum, to discuss the role Canada and her allies played in the air over Vimy Ridge and Arras in April 1917, a month known as "Bloody April".
On April 9 1917 the Canadian Corps launched its attack on what was thought to be one of the most difficult objectives to capture along the entire Western Front. The ensuing victory would cement the battle of Vimy Ridge as one of the most well known events in the history of this country. Part 1 examines the battle. Part 2 later this month will examine the battle as part of Canadian myth and identity.
A diagnosis of Cancer often comes with lots of questions. And naturally, and these days people turn to the internet for answers. But it turns out hopping online for this kind of info can do more harm than good. Lacey Horta from the Canadian Cancer Society joins Libby to talk about why.Plus , we're coming up to April 9th, which has been declared as Vimy Ridge Day. A day to commemorate the deaths and casualties of members of the Canadian Corps who fought in the Battle of Vimy Ridge during the First World War. This year marks the 99th anniversary of that historic battle. Libby is joined by Christopher Sweeney, chair of the Vimy Foundation to talk about why it's important to preserve and promote this legacy.
A diagnosis of Cancer often comes with lots of questions. And naturally, and these days people turn to the internet for answers. But it turns out hopping online for this kind of info can do more harm than good. Lacey Horta from the Canadian Cancer Society joins Libby to talk about why.Plus , we're coming up to April 9th, which has been declared as Vimy Ridge Day. A day to commemorate the deaths and casualties of members of the Canadian Corps who fought in the Battle of Vimy Ridge during the First World War. This year marks the 99th anniversary of that historic battle. Libby is joined by Christopher Sweeney, chair of the Vimy Foundation to talk about why it's important to preserve and promote this legacy.
The Battle of Vimy Ridge (April 1917) was a turning point in WWI. It was the first great allied victory. It also continues to be the greatest event in modern Canada's military history.The 100,000 Canadians of the Canadian Corps were commanded by Arthur Currie. Currie began numerous preparations including:Giving maps to all Canadian troops, not just the officersTraining all Canadian troops on a replica of Vimy RidgeBuilding an elaborate tunnel system underneath no man's land in order to carry men to the enemy front lines more quicklyUse air support (including the famous Billy Bishop, a Canadian flying ace) to protect against German recon The actual battle began with a creeping barrage attack, in which over 1 million shells were fired by Canadian artillerymen. The creeping barrage was followed by 20,000 charging Canadian troops, who successfully all four trenches on Vimy Ridge. By midday on April 9th, Hill 145 and the Pimple (a high point) were taken.Four Victoria Crosses were awarded in the battle. 3000 Canadians were KIA, and another 7000 were wounded. 20,000 Germans were wounded and 4000 were captured.For more information, read:http://www.northpeel.com/news/article/20719http://www.legionmagazine.com/features/special/07-03a.asp?id=print#5http://wwii.ca/page9.htmlhttp://www.cbc.ca/news/background/vimy/http://www.histori.ca/minutes/minute.do?id=14742http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6373IRqSeUMilitary History Podcast is sponsored by Armchair General Magazine