The Second Battle of Ypres in the spring of 1915 marked a turning point for the young Canadian Expeditionary Force and foreshadowed the brutal nature of warfare that would characterize the Western Front for years to come. Fought in the flat, pockmarked fields of Flanders from April 22 to May 25, Ypres was the site of Canada’s baptism of fire, where the men of the 1st Canadian Division faced not only relentless artillery and infantry attacks but the terrifying new weapon of poison gas. Under these harrowing conditions, Canadian soldiers stood firm, holding the line when other units were forced to retreat and displaying a resolve that would earn Canada international recognition as a fighting force. Historian Desmond Morton described the scene as one of “unimaginable horror and heroism, where a young nation found its identity in the thick of battle” (When Your Number’s Up).
The Strategic Situation in Flanders: A Precarious Salient
The town of Ypres in Belgium was strategically important as it lay near the critical Allied supply route to the Channel ports, and its control was crucial to both the British and the Germans. The area around Ypres formed a salient—a bulge in the front line that left Allied forces vulnerable to attacks on three sides. Defending this salient were British, French, and newly arrived Canadian forces. While the British command understood the tactical disadvantages of the Ypres Salient, its loss would open the way to the coast and potentially allow the Germans to disrupt Allied supply lines.
The Canadians, forming the 1st Canadian Division, had only recently arrived in Flanders after training on Salisbury Plain in England. They were young, largely untested in battle, and commanded by Major-General Edwin Alderson, a British officer with a reputation for meticulous organization and strong leadership. Although inexperienced, the Canadians were eager to prove themselves, and Ypres would test their resolve in ways few could have foreseen. Historian Tim Cook wrote, “Ypres was more than a battle; it was a crucible in which Canada’s soldiers would face both the horrors of modern warfare and the determination needed to stand firm in the face of overwhelming odds” (At the Sharp End).
The German Plan and the Introduction of Chemical Warfare
On the German side, the German Fourth Army sought to break through the Allied line at Ypres using a new, terrifying weapon: chlorine gas. The German High Command, under the direction of General Erich von Falkenhayn, had been experimenting with poison gas as a means to break the deadlock of trench warfare. The Second Battle of Ypres would be the first large-scale use of gas on the Western Front, a decision that would forever change the nature of warfare. The Germans knew that the introduction of gas could catch the Allied forces unprepared and create a gap in the lines that they could exploit to advance toward Ypres.
On April 22, 1915, the Germans released over 160 tons of chlorine gas along a four-mile front, primarily targeting the French Algerian and Moroccan divisions to the left of the Canadian positions. The greenish-yellow cloud moved silently toward the Allied trenches, and as it descended, it caused terror and devastation among the unprepared soldiers. Men choked, gasped for air, and stumbled in panic as the poison destroyed their lungs, leaving the battlefield littered with casualties in a matter of minutes. The impact was immediate; the French lines broke, and a gap of more than four miles opened in the Allied front.
The Canadian Response: Holding the Line
In the face of this unprecedented threat, the Canadian soldiers faced the daunting task of holding their position against the advancing Germans. With the French divisions falling back, the Canadians found themselves exposed, their left flank hanging open. Orders were unclear, communication was difficult, and the situation was dire. However, despite their lack of experience, the Canadians acted with determination, moving quickly to fill the gap left by the retreating French.
Commanders on the field, including Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, who would later write the famous poem In Flanders Fields, led their men with a resolve that inspired the troops. Historian J.L. Granatstein described the moment as one of remarkable resolve: “The Canadians did not waver; despite the overwhelming power of the German advance and the horrors they faced, they chose to stand their ground, setting an example that would define their legacy” (Canada’s Army).
The Canadians, without gas masks, used improvised methods to protect themselves. Soldiers held urine-soaked cloths over their mouths and noses, hoping that the ammonia would counteract the chlorine gas. These makeshift measures were barely effective, but they allowed the Canadians to maintain a defensive line. The 1st Canadian Division fought through the night, repelling German attacks and preventing a complete collapse of the Allied front. Over the following days, Canadian soldiers endured repeated gas attacks and artillery bombardments, yet they held their ground, earning the respect and admiration of their British counterparts.
The Fighting Intensifies: Kitchener’s Wood and St. Julien
The situation around Ypres remained fluid and chaotic. On the night of April 22, Canadian units, including the 10th Battalion and 16th Battalion from the 3rd Brigade, launched a counterattack on Kitchener’s Wood, a wooded area that had been seized by the Germans. The assault was a desperate and bloody affair, marked by close-quarters fighting in darkness and confusion. The Canadians advanced through heavy gunfire, retaking Kitchener’s Wood at the cost of severe casualties. The assault was costly but successful, buying critical time and preventing a wider German breakthrough.
The fighting continued over the next several days, particularly around the village of St. Julien, where the Canadian soldiers held their position despite further gas attacks and relentless German assaults. At St. Julien, Canadian forces were stretched to their limits, defending against waves of infantry and artillery bombardment. They held the line until reinforcements arrived, a testament to their resilience and determination under unimaginable conditions. Historian C.P. Stacey captured the intensity of this battle: “The Canadians at St. Julien fought with a tenacity that defied logic, standing in the face of certain death to protect the line” (A Very Double Life).
Legacy of Ypres: Courage Under Fire
By the end of May, the Second Battle of Ypres had concluded, leaving the fields of Flanders littered with the dead and wounded. The 1st Canadian Division had suffered over 6,000 casualties—nearly one-third of its total strength—but it had held its position and prevented the Germans from breaking through to Ypres. The courage displayed by the Canadians at Ypres earned them a formidable reputation among Allied forces. Their stand against the German gas attacks was widely reported, and Canada’s soldiers became known as tough, resilient fighters.
The legacy of Ypres would live on in the hearts of Canadians, symbolizing both the horrors of modern warfare and the bravery of those who endured it. Prime Minister Sir Robert Borden praised the courage of the Canadian soldiers, stating that they “had upheld the honor of the Empire and proven Canada’s loyalty beyond question.” The Canadian public, too, responded with a mixture of pride and sorrow, mourning the losses but taking pride in the nation’s newfound status on the world stage. Historian Tim Cook reflected on this transformation, writing, “Ypres was the crucible in which Canada’s identity was forged, a testament to the resilience and sacrifice of a young nation’s sons” (At the Sharp End).
The Impact on Canada and the Development of the Canadian Corps
The Second Battle of Ypres marked a significant step in the development of the Canadian Corps as an independent fighting force. The experiences of Ypres highlighted both the strengths and the challenges facing the Canadian military. Commanders recognized the need for better preparation, equipment, and training, especially in the face of new technologies like poison gas. The lessons learned at Ypres would shape Canadian tactics and strategies in later battles, as the Canadian Corps developed a reputation for meticulous planning and innovation.
Under the leadership of British commanders like General Julian Byng and later Lieutenant-General Arthur Currie, the Canadian Corps evolved into an elite force, capable of complex operations that would culminate in famous victories like Vimy Ridge in 1917. Historian J.L. Granatstein noted, “The legacy of Ypres lived on in every Canadian battle to come, a reminder of the costs of war and the courage needed to endure” (Canada’s Army).
Conclusion: Ypres and the Birth of a Nation’s Identity
The Second Battle of Ypres was more than a military engagement; it was a defining moment in Canada’s journey toward national identity. The courage displayed by the 1st Canadian Division under impossible conditions forged a bond between soldiers and citizens, creating a legacy that would endure long after the guns fell silent. The battle demonstrated the resilience of Canada’s soldiers and marked Canada’s emergence as a distinct entity within the British Empire, capable of standing on its own in the face of adversity.
Historian C.P. Stacey encapsulated the essence of Canada’s experience at Ypres: “In the gas-choked fields of Flanders, Canada came of age, its sons standing firm in a crucible of courage, forever marking the nation with their sacrifice” (A Very Double Life). The Second Battle of Ypres remains etched in Canada’s collective memory as a symbol of bravery and sacrifice—a testament to a young nation’s resolve and the beginning of its journey toward autonomy on the world stage.
References
- Stacey, C.P. A Very Double Life: The Army in Canada and the Half Century of Conflict. Queen’s Printer, 1960.
- Cook, Tim. At the Sharp End: Canadians Fighting the Great War 1914–1916. Viking Canada, 2007.
- Morton, Desmond. When Your Number’s Up: The Canadian Soldier in the First World War. Random House Canada, 1993.
- Granatstein, J.L. Canada’s Army: Waging War and Keeping the Peace. University of Toronto Press, 2002.