The Battle Of Passchendaele Essay, Research Paper

WW1 – The Battle of Passchendaele: ISU

Some politicians, soldiers, and military historians say that the battle of Passchendaele was “the most futile of battles and the most horrendous of slaughters” (Dancocks Inside Front Cover). Others, such as Norm Christie remark that “Passchendaele was a huge achievement” (Back Cover). The battle of Passchendaele lasted a grueling four months in the year of 1917. Two-hundred-fifty-thousand soldiers were killed, wounded, or missing; Sixteen-thousand of which were Canadians. Canada contributed a great deal to this battle including: wepons and machinery which assisted the troops in fighting; the Canadian Corps who are the soldiers, engineers, ect.; and major players who stand out by doing something extraordinary. What Canada contributed not only made the war a success but proved our loyalty to Britain.

The weapons and machinery that Canada contributed included guns, artillery, and tanks. Under normal circumstances, 320 guns would be available. These were not normal circumstances, the conditions in Passchendaele called for more firearms. In this case 587 guns were deployed. Canada contributed more guns then they usually would, therefore giving a great deal of help to our allies in achieving victory at Passchendaele. Artillery was the most used and most effective of weapons in world war 1. Holman says that the artillery was used to “defend against attack, bombard enemy trenches from fixed positions, and protect soldiers as they advanced toward enemy trenches” (Article 4). Canada did not develop the weapons, but their understanding of how to use the weapons was key. “Through fabrication, development, and use at the front, the Canadian artillery played a vital role in the outcome of the first world war” (Holman Article 4). Canada’s contribution, in this case, was the expertise on how to use the artillery. One-hundred-seventeen tanks were donated by Canada. The “male” tank was equipped with two six pounder guns. The female carried six machine guns. Although very slow, tanks were a great defensive and a very powerful weapon. Therefore, the weapons and machinery contributed by Canada helped the soldiers in their tough fight to achieve victory.

Canada also contributed the Canadian Corps. Corps are not only fighters but can be anything from a specialist in a certain area to an engineer. The corps that Canada sent included four Divisions, twelve Brigades, one-hundred and two Battalions, and five Canadian Mounted Rifles. Canada also provided Army Service Corps, Artillery Corps, Cavalry, Engineers, Machine-Gun Corps, Tank Corps, Medical Corps, and Pioneers. Without these Corps, Britain would not have achieved victory. Funk & Wagnalls Standard Desk Dictionary defines a Pioneer as “an engineer who goes in front of a main body of troops to build roads, bridges, ect.” (500) The pioneers played a big part in the war by muddy terrain so the soldiers could pass and built bridges across water. Medical Corps were very important in the battle of Passhcendaele. According to Dancocks “Canadian medical expertise reflected the high standards that prevailed within the British army at this time” (114). In the span of two days from October 26 to the 28, there were 2,481 casualties and 1,207 wounded soldiers that the Medical Corps had to deal with. The amount of medical help that Canada contributed helped soldiers to continue to fight. The Canadian Army Corps were the troops that fought on the battle field. They were commanded by Sir Arthur Currie. The Canadian Army Corps were the fighters who won the war on the battlefield. Edmonds states that “the capture and retention of Passchendaele high ground reflects the high standard of the staff work and training of the Candadian Corps and its four divisions” (Dancocks 237). This statement proves that the Canadian Corps played a big role in winning the battle of Passchendaele. Also, the amount of Corps Canada contributed proves its loyalty to Britain.

The major players are the soldiers who stand out above the rest. Some major players include Sir Arthur Currie, Captain Christopher O’Kelly, Private Tommy Holmes, and Sergeant George Mullin. Sir Arthur Currie was the commander of the Canadian Corps. “Currie lead his troops to victory” (Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia 411). Private Pat Burns said this about Currie “I never seen a battalion look so smart in all my life…Currie was a wonderful leader” (Dancocks 86). Without great commanders like Currie, Canada would not have been so successful in the battle of Passchendaele. Christopher O’Kelly was a brave Captian. Along with his company, he took the Germans by surprise. He destroyed 6 pillboxes and ten machine-guns and rescued 100 prisoners. For these great actions he was awarded a Victoria Cross. Brave soldiers such as O’Kelly are what won the battle of Passchendaele and are loyal to Britain. Private Tommy Holmes was only nineteen years old the first time he was in battle at Passchendaele. He took out two machine-gun crews with only one grenade, and a pillbox with another. Moments later nineteen Germans came out and surrendered. He was awarded the Victoria Cross. Holmes played a big part by going against many odds, passed gunfire and grenades, and succeeding in his objective. For that he was rewarded. Soldiers like this are loyal to Britain and won the war. These brave soldiers were the “Major Players” in the war because they were brave, loyal, and they did something extraordinary to achieve victory.

The victory of the battle at Passchendaele was because Canada was so loyal to Britain that they contributed such a large amount of supplies and manpower. Contribution is shown through weapons and machinery, and the Canadian Corps. Loyalty is shown through the attitudes and bravery of the major players. Therefore, if Canada was not part of Britain’s empire, they would have suffered a great defeat on the battlefield in 1917.

Isu

World War 1: Passchendaele

Canada’s Contribution

Name: Michael Hoyle

Teacher: Mr. Hall

Course: HCT 2A7

Date: May 17, 1999

Christie, Norm. For King & Empire: The Canadians at

Passchendaele. Winnipeg : Bunker to Bunker Books,1996.

Dancocks, Daniel G. Legacy of Valour: The Canadians at

Passchendaele. Edmonton : Hurtig, 1986.

Holman, Harry. “Passchendaele.” 3 May, 1999. Online. Available

Http://www.schoolnet.ca/collections/turner/ar_passchendaele. Html. Accessed 3 May, 1999

“Pioneer, and other definitions.” Funk & Wagnalls Standard Desk

Dictonary Volumes 1 & 2. 6th. Ed. 1984.

“Passchendaele.” Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia Volume 27

Vermo-World. 1986