Dates
What year did the Second Battle of Ypres take place?
1915
What new weapon was first used on a large scale at Ypres?
Poison Gas
Which countries soldiers held the line after the gas attack?
Canada
Who wrote In Flanders Fields?
John McCrae
What haircut did John McCrae have?
Short slickback
On what dates did the Germans launch their first and second gas attack?
The first poison gas attack took place on April 22nd, 1915 and the second one 2 days later on April 24th, 1915.
Why did the Second Battle of Ypres shock soldiers and military leaders?
Because it introduced poison gas as a weapon of war.
About how many Canadian casualties were suffered at Ypres?
About 6000
What was John McCrae’s job during the battle?
He was a military doctor.
What month was the biggest loss in?
April
What was happening at Kitcheners Wood on April 22-23, 1915?
The Canadian Counterattack
Why was the Ypres Salient especially dangerous for Allied soldiers?
They could be attacked from three sides.
Why was the Battle of Kitchener’s Wood especially difficult for Canadian soldiers?
It was fought at night with close hand-to-hand combat.
Why is Arthur Currie remembered as an important figure from Ypres?
He helped organize Canadian defenses and later became a top Canadian general.
How much TONS of chlorine gas were released?
160
In May, 1915, close to the end of the war, why was there a stalemate between the forces?
The Germans couldn’t accomplish their mission, and the allied forces couldn’t gain a strategic advantage over the Germans.
Why was the Canadian defense important after French troops retreated?
It prevented German breakthrough.
Why did Canadian soldiers use urine-soaked cloths during the battle? How did it help?
To help protect themselves from chlorine gas. Ammonia (found in urine) can neutralize the chlorine.
What major event happened during the final month of the battle after weeks of fighting?
Continued German attacks and heavy causalities.
Why did the German gas attack at Ypres cause such a big problem for the Allied lines?
Because it forced soldiers on the front line to retreat in panic, which opened a huge gap in the trenches that the Allies had to quickly scramble to fill.
How did the Battle of Ypres change Canada’s role in World War I and its future identity?
It showed Canada could fight independently and helped build national pride and recognition.