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Volume 19 | Issue 1 Article 3

3-27-2015 Neglected Victory The aC nadian Corps at Hill 70 Matthew altheW rt

Recommended Citation Matthew Walthert (2010) "Neglected Victory The aC nadian Corps at Hill 70," Canadian Military History: Vol. 19: Iss. 1, Article 3. Available at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol19/iss1/3

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Canadian Military History by an authorized administrator of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact [email protected]. : Neglected Victory The at Hill 70 Neglected Victory The Canadian Corps at Hill 70

Matthew Walthert

any historians regard [the combining the descriptions of Battle of Hill 70] as the Abstract: For 90 years, the Battle of Hill individual soldiers with the actions “M 70, 15-25 August, 1917, was largely outstanding achievement of the ignored or forgotten by Canadian taken by smaller units that led to 1 [Canadian] Corps,” writes Terry historians. This, despite the fact that Corps-wide success on the battlefield. Copp. He is correct that the battle, General , who commanded It will analyze why the Hill 70 battle fought in and around the town the Canadian Corps for the first time has remained relatively obscure and of Lens from 15-25 , in the battle, declared it “a great consider what this says about our and wonderful victory” and “the was an outstanding victory for the hardest battle in which the Corps has collective memory of the Great War. Canadians, but it has not received participated.” Why is this so? Against In most works that deal with Hill the same attention as other Canadian tough odds, the Corps captured the high 70, the role of the artillery has been battles of the Great War. Why is this? ground and caused heavy casualties emphasized as the most important While 2nd Ypres, Passchendaele, the amonst the Germans as they counter- aspect of the battle. While the artillery attacked. However, in the days following Last Hundred Days, and Vimy Ridge this success, the Canadians pushed had a significant and crucial part to have all merited book-length studies, their luck too far. Trying to take the play, this essay will also attempt to Hill 70 has been largely neglected. town of Lens, which Hill 70 overlooked, give the “ground pounders” their The only substantial published texts thousands of men were needlessly due, as the hill could not have been on the Battle of Hill 70 come from sacrificed. won, nor held, without them. Nearly G.W.L. Nicholson’s official history, all the war diaries describe brutal Canadian Expeditionary Force, and History. He focused on the mostly hand-to-hand combat for extended Tim Cook’s Shock Troops.2 While unsuccessful secondary attacks into periods of time, as the Canadians Nicholson provides a very good Lens in the days following the seizure fought their way up the hill, and basic description of events, it is of the hill itself. Indeed, Jackson then struggled to hold it through necessarily a top-down history and arbitrarily separated Hill 70 into two numerous German counter-attacks. lacks description of the experiences distinct battles: the attack on the hill Six Victoria Crosses were awarded to of individual soldiers in battle. In and the push into Lens.3 While he the infantry, and like any other battle, fact, Nicholson rarely describes any acknowledged that the capture of countless brave and heroic acts went actions lower than at the brigade the hill was an outstanding feat, he unrewarded. or battalion level and the only non- implied, by devoting the majority Hill 70 was Arthur Currie’s generals mentioned by name are of his article to it, that the failure first battle as commander of the those that were awarded a Victoria to capture Lens overshadowed the Canadian Corps, and he wrote that Cross. Cook’s work gives a great entire operation. These attacks into it was “the hardest battle in which description of the battle from the the town were poorly planned, the Corps has participated,” but also soldiers’ perspectives, but there is undermanned, and under-supported, “a great and wonderful victory.” As still more detailed analysis that can but the number of men involved well, according to Currie, General be done, as Hill 70 represents only a makes the attacks closer to a series Headquarters “regard it as one small fraction of Cook’s two-volume of large-scale raids than a separate of the finest performances of the opus. battle. These attacks into Lens will War.”4 And yet, for 90 years this Geoff Jackson published an be examined in depth later. battle was largely ignored in the article on the battle in the Winter This paper explores the battle historiography. Certainly, when 2008 issue of Canadian Military in greater detail than Nicholson, we talk about the war today, Hill

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Left: Canadian soldiers practice bringing a Vickers medium machine gun quickly into action prior to the Hill 70 battle. Below left: Troops of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade receive hot tea at a Soup and Tea Kitchen within a quarter mile of the front line on the night before the attack on Hill 70.

during the in 1915. This is not meant to suggest that Hill 70 was as significant a battle as Vimy,

Canadian War Museum (CWM) 19920085-775 Canadian War but merely that it was an important part of the Canadian war effort. It also demonstrated that the victory at Vimy was not a fluke, but a sign of things to come from the Canadian Corps. What, then, can we say about Canadians’ collective memory of the First World War, and Hill 70 in particular? Surely, we are uncomfortable with certain aspects of the war, or at least our perceptions of those aspects. For example, we are horrified by the slaughter that took place in Europe from 1914-1918. And we are even more horrified by the perception that it was all in vain. Indeed, 20 years later, we were

CWM 19920085-665 embroiled in an even deadlier war. However, in the Second World War, we knew what we were fighting 70 is never mentioned in the same of a meat grinder of shrapnel and for (to stop the spread of Facism). breath as Vimy, Passchendaele, bullets designed to kill as many Although Canadians who fought or the Somme. Perhaps this is Germans as possible, in keeping in the Great War certainly had their because Hill 70 does not have a with Sir Douglas Haig’s policy for own reasons for fighting, do those ready-made, engaging storyline. The a war of attrition. Still, Nicholson of us who look back, from nearly horrors of the Passchendaele mud, devotes nearly as many pages to 100 years in the future, understand valiantly overcome by the tenacious Hill 70 as he does to Vimy in his them? Maybe not. Instead, many Canadians, may be a more engaging official history. In addition, Hill 70 Canadians think of lines of men, tale. Vimy has been elevated to a was a more thoroughly Canadian mowed down by machine guns. nation-forming battle; it was the first battle than Vimy, where much of the Perhaps, unfortunately, Hill 70, like time the Corps fought together as a artillery and logistical support for the first day of the Somme, plays up whole. Hill 70, on the other hand, was the Canadian infantry came from the that stereotype, since the goal of the conceived as a diversionary attack to British. Hill 70 was largely planned, Canadians was to literally butcher as keep a number of German divisions and for the most part carried out, by many Germans as possible. Therefore, occupied while the Third Battle of Canadians. Vimy was seen as a great no matter how successful they were Ypres got under way further north. victory because neither the French, in achieving that goal, there was There was no romantic splendor to nor the British, had been able to take no way the battle would ever be the battle. The objective was not to it for three years. Hill 70 and Lens remembered the same as some of capture a strategic position (although had been held and fortified by the our other victories. This limitation, the British did want Lens for its coal Germans since 1914, although the though, should not dissuade us from production), but rather the creation British did temporarily seize the hill further study of the battle.

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After Vimy, Lieutenant-General standard since Vimy. The most Hill 70, as it would compromise Sir Julian Byng had been promoted important of these exercises was the their position in Lens. By taking from Canadian Corps commander full-scale rehearsal on a taped course the high ground, Currie hoped to to General Officer Commanding representing the actual battlefield.9 draw German reinforcements into Third Army. On 6 June 1917, Currie Deward Barnes, of the 19th Battalion, the open where Canadian gunners was notified that he would be taking recorded his training experiences in could annihilate them with massed over command of the corps, the his diary on 22 July, writing that for shellfire.11 first Canadian to do so, and on 12 At Vimy, the artillery used new June, the king knighted him.5 On the next few days we practiced over continuous wave wireless radios for 7 July, orders came from General tapes, getting ready for Hill 70…the the first time. These radios emitted Haig through the First Army, tapes were laid out as streets and a continuous radio wave and, by under command of General Henry buildings according to area maps and switching the wave on and off for Horne, telling the Canadian Corps named before you got there. Each varying periods of time, a person to take the French mining town of man was supposed to know what with a transmitter and a receiver Lens, approximately ten kilometers street or lane to go down when the could send and receive Morse Code northeast of Vimy Ridge. The goal real thing came (all bosh).10 messages. As the war progressed, the was to prevent the Germans from various armies on the Western Front sending reinforcements north to Even though Barnes dismissed the discovered a number of applications Passchendaele, where the British training as “bosh,” it proved to be an for this technology, including Army was already floundering in the important part of the corps’ success, communication from observers in mud. Currie went forward to survey as each man knew exactly what his airplanes or forward observers on the the terrain that the Canadians were role was during the attack. ground to gunners in the rear. Since to attack. After laying in the grass By early August, preparations the radios had worked well at Vimy, all morning, he determined that one for the battle were being completed in late July two Canadian Heavy of the two hills overlooking the city, as Currie waited for a break in the Brigade wireless sets were erected Sallaumines to the south and Hill 70 weather. The plan called for the at Bully-Grenay and on Vimy Ridge. to the north, would need to be taken 1st and 2nd Divisions, with five Then, the first-ever registration of before Lens itself could be attacked, battalions each, to assault the slopes guns by wireless was carried out in otherwise the Germans would control of Hill 70, as well as the northern preparation for the upcoming Hill the high ground surrounding nearly suburbs of Lens, during the initial 70 offensive. It took three days, but half the city.6 He also consulted attack. Meanwhile, one battalion the results were excellent, so four his staff officers over the proposed from the 4th Division would mount wireless stations were erected for plan, at which point Colonel A.G.L. a diversionary attack into Lens itself, the battle. This would allow forward McNaughton vehemently opposed hoping to confuse the Germans observers more direct contact with a frontal assault on the town, calling into thinking the actual attack was the artillery behind the lines.12 it a “bloody fool operation.”7 Currie taking place there. To the north of the The artillery committed in brought his concerns to General Canadians, the 46th British Division this battle was substantial. Each of Horne, asking that the Canadians set up another diversion, which the two assaulting divisions was be allowed to take Hill 70 before included artillery bombardments and supported by 102 18-pounder guns, Lens. Horne’s orders, though, were the deployment of dummy tanks. No as well as 24 4.5-inch howitzers.13 All to take Lens directly, so he referred tanks were actually used – this was four Canadian divisional artilleries the matter to Haig. Currie met with to be an artillery, machine gun, and would participate, as well as the the commander-in-chief and easily infantry battle. 46th Divisional Artillery, two army convinced him of his plan. Haig Once the attacking Canadian field brigades, and a variety of other expressed his confidence in Currie’s infantry reached their objectives, batteries.14 Currie fought hard to have abilities and assured the Canadian old German trenches on the slope the best possible artillery support for that he trusted him to accomplish of the hill, they were to construct his troops, knowing full well that for what had been asked of the corps.8 strongpoints around the 48 Vickers the cost of a few extra shells, the lives With that, it was decided that the guns that each brigade would bring of hundreds of infantrymen could be Canadians would attack Hill 70 in forward during the attack. As much saved.15 late July or early August. as possible, Canadian artillery would As preparations for the attack In the lead-up to the battle, the then be used to break up the expected continued, Colonel McNaughton, Canadians participated in a number counterattacks. Currie knew the the corps’ counter-battery staff of training exercises that had become Germans could not afford to lose officer, began targeting German

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Left: Canadian troops unload shells in preparation for the upcoming offensive. Below left: Canadian artillerymen prepare a gun emplacement. Note the tramline to facilitate the supply of ammunition.

Zero hour! A roll as of heavy thunder sounds and the sky is split by great sheets of flame. Our guns have given the signal.”Forward!” our captain CWM 19920085-424 shouts, but his voice is lost in the cannonade. Shells pass in salvos over our heads and through the deep roaring of the guns I can hear the staccato rat-a-tat of machine guns.21

The 1st Brigade of the Canadian Field Artillery, comprising just 24 of the 275 guns active in the barrage, fired a total of 9,856 shells in the first 24 hours of the assault.22 The Canadians had to advance through a series of trenches, beginning, in some cases, with the lightly-held German front line. The

CWM 19930065-642 attackers’ objectives were colour- coded to allow easy identification. The intermediate Blue Line ran across guns to neutralize them before 2nd Divisional Artillery, remembered the summit of Hill 70, through two the infantrymen had to expose that, on his way to the front, “We had woods on the northern slope, and themselves outside the trenches. a good deal of gas, the new mustard the edge of Cité St. Emile on the McNaughton had charge of three gas, and had to spend the night in southern side of the hill. The cités counter-battery groups, totalling our respirators.”18 Because of the were suburbs of Lens where miners 58 guns,16 with which to harass the difficulties of moving about with had lived before the war. Now they estimated 102 German batteries that respirators on, especially in the dark, were merely piles of rubble from faced the Canadians. By 15 August, many units did not arrive at their destroyed buildings that offered the Canadian guns had knocked 40 positions until 0400 hours, only 25 excellent protection for the defending hostile batteries out of the fight.17 This minutes before zero hour.19 However, Germans. The Canadians had to cross was an important factor in getting the everyone was ready when the attack through several of these suburbs on infantry safely across no-man’s-land began. their way to their objectives. At the and into the German trenches. At 0425 hours on 15 August the Blue Line, most lead battalions were By 14 August, preparations barrage began and the Canadians to stop, consolidate their positions, were complete and the rain had went over the top. Deward Barnes, and allow a fresh battalion to pass ceased. All that remained was to who was watching from the support through their ranks to continue the get the ten assaulting battalions trenches with the rest of his 19th assault on the final objective: the into their jumping-off positions Battalion, described Hill 70 as “the Green Line. This was a system of old in front of the Canadian lines. By greatest artillery fight I had ever German trenches that ran along the most accounts, the assembly went seen.”20 Arthur Lapointe, in the eastern slope of the hill and wrapped smoothly, although most of the first wave with the 22nd Battalion, back to the eastern edge of Cité St. battalions encountered German described the opening moments of Elizabeth. The 2nd Brigade, which shells and gas. Kenneth Cousland, a the battle: had the furthest distance to cover, forward observation officer with the had a second intermediate objective,

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the Red Line, to reach before taking not stopped, he continued forward, troublesome machine gun or fortified the Green Line.23 tipped the gun back into the hole shell hole that the infantry came Nicholson makes the advance on and forced the surrender of the across. Only brave charges by selfless the German front line seem routine officer and his surviving men.28 soldiers allowed the Canadians to but the war diaries paint a different Heroic actions such as these won continue their advance. picture.24 At the northern end of the the day for the Canadians. Although As the Canadians occupied the attack, the 15th Battalion met a group the artillery played an important Blue Line, in many cases less than of determined German defenders at role in protecting the infantry, it half-an-hour from the beginning of the enemy’s front line. The trench was up to individual soldiers to the attack, they began to consolidate was quite wide, and the Germans ensure the safety of their friends and their new positions as they waited for stood shoulder-to-shoulder. Without platoon-mates. During the chaos of reinforcements. The barrage, which hesitation, the men of the 15th leapt the opening moments of the attack, had given the infantry ample cover into the trench and engaged the it would have been impossible to during their initial advance, paused Germans in hand-to-hand combat, call in artillery support for every as well. The 13th Battalion suffered with many of the enemy falling at the point of a Canadian bayonet.25 Further to the south, the 5th Battalion encountered the fortified “Dynamite House.” Although it was in the 22nd Battalion’s sector, a strong German garrison held up the advance of the 5th. A group of men charged CWM 19930013-801 the Germans and a violent struggle took place before the Canadians overwhelmed the defenders.26 As Canadian troops approached the Blue Line, German resistance stiffened. The Van Doos (22nd Battalion), moving through the debris of Cité St. Laurent, found themselves checked by a machine gun that was causing severe casualties in “B” Company, on the left. Two soldiers, Lieutenant Henri de Varennes and Sergeant Eugene Keller, quickly took the initiative and charged the gun. After killing its crew, they turned the weapon around and fired on the fleeing Germans.27 The 10th Battalion faced a similar situation. Corporal Nicholas Purmal noticed a group of Germans attempting to bring a

machine gun into action at the lip of CWM 19930065-578 a shell hole. He charged the position, but was shot through the arm before reaching the group. Slowed, but

Above right: A heavy howitzer position is prepared in Lens. This photo was taken in February 1918, but this type of heavy gun was used for counter-battery tasks at Hill 70. Right: Canadian artillerymen load their gun during the Hill 70 battle.

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CWM 19940001-436

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an unfortunate event as Lieutenant gunner from the hip as he ran. He Before reinforcements could be sent Colonel McCuaig was trying to set- then bayoneted the four remaining up, the depleted company had to deal up his headquarters in a dugout filled Germans and turned one of the with two bombing attacks: German with German prisoners. A member guns on the defenders.32 To the 8th’s counterattackers lobbing grenades of a mopping-up party from another left, the 7th Battalion was having at the tired Canadian infanteers from battalion arrived and, seeing the problems of its own. As they began intersecting communication trenches. dugout filled with Germans, opened their attack on the Red Line, they Despite their weakened state, the fire. A 13th Battalion runner was encountered heavy resistance from men of “A” Company held the killed and two signalers wounded, German machine guns, which were position until fresh troops arrived.34 while McCuaig himself barely eventually subdued with grenades While the troops were mopping up escaped injury.29 While this was going and concentrated Lewis gun fire. By the remaining German positions,

on, the men of McCuaig’s battalion the time the battalion reached the Red Lieutenant D.M. Matheson became CWM 19940001-432-d were suffering heavily as they waited Line, only two officers from the lead involved in what the regimental in their new positions for the advance companies were uninjured.33 After history called a “revolver duel” with to continue. The Germans directed the Red Line was firmly in Canadian a German officer. The German fired heavy artillery fire onto the 13th hands, these two battalions began to and missed, and was subsequently Battalion’s trenches and, to make consolidate and ready themselves shot dead by Matheson.35 matters worse, a Canadian battery for the final push on the Green Line. In his memoir, Arthur Lapointe was repeatedly firing short, right Meanwhile, the rest of the of the Van Doos described the scene into the midst of the Canadians. battalions, with shorter distances to after a mopping up party encountered Just as the men were becoming travel, were already approaching the a group of Germans: extremely discouraged, a piper from final objective. The 24th Battalion, the neighbouring 16th Battalion which had passed the 25th, had a A section in the second wave has appeared in front of them, playing rough time during this final push. come up a communication trench his instrument loudly as shells fell One of its two lead companies was and opened fire with a machine-gun around him. As he marched off in held up by strong enemy resistance, on the Germans, who must have the direction of his own battalion, the so “A” Company advanced on come piling up from a dugout when men’s mood improved significantly.30 its own. By the time it reached our barrage had passed. Now they At 0535 hours, the barrage lifted Chicory and Norman trenches, lie in a mass of grey, with blood again and the men of the 13th which represented the Green Line splashed all around. One lifts a hand Battalion, along with the rest of the in that sector, only one officer and to his chest and falls in a dugout attackers, advanced on the Green 20 other ranks were left standing. entrance. I shall never forget his face, Line. On the right, “D” Company a mask of tortured agony.36 had lost most of its officers, so Major Mathewson, from “B” Company, The Germans had an intricate took charge. He ordered his men to system of trenches on Hill 70. Once crawl slowly from shell hole-to-shell they reached their final objectives, hole, since the company was well the Canadians had to deal with under-strength. However, the wait counterattacks across no-man’s- at the Blue Line had the men itching CWM 19920085-881 land, and with Germans who for a fight, and as soon as some of attacked along support trenches the German defenders began to run which extended away from the new from their position in the Green Line, Canadian front line. Mathewson gave the order and his The 15th Battalion encountered company charged forward, storming fierce resistance at their final the trench with their bayonets and objective. However, by 0542 hours, capturing a dozen prisoners after a less than an hour-and-a-half after the brief fight.31 battle began, the Green Line was in To the south, the 8th Battalion their hands. A trench mortar, along had leap-frogged the 5th and was now closing in on the Red Line. Two The intensity of the Canadian artillery machine guns in a fortified shell hole can be witnessed by this German soldier gave them trouble, so Corporal P.A. who was half-buried by the barrage. Litster rushed forward, shooting one

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This oblique aerial photograph was taken from a balloon tethered behind Canadian lines prior to the battle. It shows the area captured the 24th and 26th Battalions on 15-16 August, and the area attacked by the 29th Battalion on 21 August.

with 500 shells, was captured by the rushed to his aid.38 Later in the day, neutralize the German artillery, the battalion. The gun’s crew explained around 1230 hours, Bent would have rest of the artillery began responding its operation to the Canadians, and another close call when a German to S.O.S. calls from the infantry as the shells, 36 of which contained gas, counterattack pressed to within 50 soon as they saw the Germans mass were subsequently fired at enemy yards of his headquarters. Bent and for a counterattack in the woods positions.37 From the comfort of our a small group of runners charged or cités east of the hill. Repeatedly, couches, nearly a century later, it the enemy and shocked them into the Canadian batteries destroyed may seem mutinous for a German retreat.39 German units before they had a soldier to explain the workings of By 0600 hours the Canadians chance to move from their assembly his weapon to a Canadian whom had reached the Green Line all points. In his memoir, Sergeant he knows will promptly turn that along the front, except in the 2nd Routley of the 18th Battalion, which weapon on his comrades. However, Brigade’s sector, where the 7th and was holding a section of trench in our response might be somewhat 8th Battalions had stopped at the Red the middle of Cité St. Elizabeth, very different if we consider that these Line.40 Now, the tables turned and close to Lens, described the artillery’s Germans had just been subjected to the Canadians were the defenders response to his S.O.S. call: days of non-stop shelling and seen of Hill 70 as the Germans tried to many of their fellow soldiers killed by take it back. Shortly after 0600 hours I dropped on my knees and sent up the same Canadians who were now the Canadians were already fending the S.O.S. and then dropped back pointing rifle muzzles at their heads off German counterattacks across again for a few minutes to have a and bayonets at their stomachs. their entire front. The Germans little rest, before taking over my job L ieutenant-Colonel Bent, attempted to throw all their reserves as lookout for the platoon. I never commander of the 15th Battalion, was at the Canadians before they could seen such good [sic] Artillery action confronted by a group of Germans consolidate their new positions.41 It in my life. As a matter of fact, I didn’t who came out of a dugout behind was at this point that the artillery think that the Artillery had worked him. He was alone, but held his played its most important role. While on my S.O.S. at all. I thought that attackers at bay until some of his men McNaughton’s guns worked to somebody else had seen the Germans

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Pillars of smoke mark the start of a German counterattack against Canadian positions on Hill 70.

were shot down by 40 Squadron. CWM 19920085-661 Then, for the two days preceding the assault, bombers from three squadrons attacked enemy targets behind the front lines. During the battle itself, two innovations in the air war were introduced. To combat low- flying German observation planes, the RFC employed a forward airfield at , five miles from the battlefield. This allowed British and Canadian pilots to take-off as soon as an enemy plane was spotted coming and had telephoned our was so intense that 15 linemen near Hill 70 and quickly engage the artillery, for before the varey-lights could not maintain communication target. Thanks to this new tactic, two [sic] had finished burning the heavy between the observer and the German planes were destroyed and machine guns began firing over our artillery headquarters. However, three shot down out of control on 15 heads and everything on the line of his continuous wave set allowed August. The other innovation also Artillery opened up. It was some him to continue relaying targets involved the use of the advanced days later, when I was talking to and answering S.O.S. calls from the landing ground at Mazingarbe to the Adjutant of our Battalion, Major desperate infantry. W. Arthur Steel allow RFC aircraft more time over Bell, that I learned that it was my called the Battle of Hill 70 the birth the battlefield. No.43 Squadron S.O.S. that they had worked on. He of the continuous wave system.43 operated from this base, observing said that he was in the Observation James Edmonds recorded in the areas behind the German lines in an Post with an officer of the Artillery British Official History that, during attempt to locate counterattacks while when they seen [sic] my S.O.S. and the counterattacks on 15 August, they were forming up. Several times, they immediately telephoned the “not a single German soldier reached airmen engaged German troops Artillery, who had their guns all the Canadian line alive.”44 This was in low-level machine gun attacks, layed and ready.42 simply not the case. The artillery and these planes also relayed target could not stop all the German information back to the Canadian Without this sort of quick work by the counterattacks. Many times, the artillery.46 artillery, the Canadians might have artillery was either not on target, or By mid-morning on the 15th, been overwhelmed during their first the barrage was not dense enough to most of the battalions had already hours on top of Hill 70, while they stop the German forces from closing repulsed several counterattacks. struggled to construct strongpoints in on the Canadian lines. In these However, the 7th and 8th Battalions and reverse the German defences cases, the machine gun positions that were still on the offensive, trying to under heavy fire. had been established in the front lines capture the Chalk Pit, an abandoned The work of the artillery was were very effective.45 Still, several quarry that offered excellent cover made easier by the continuous times German attackers reached the and was heavily fortified with at least wave wireless sets. Much faster parapets of the Canadian trenches 20 machine guns. It would prove a and more reliable than any other and had to be driven back with difficult task.47 As the 7th Battalion communication system, the wireless bombs and bayonets. moved forward, Germans at the sets allowed forward observers The (RFC), junction of Hugo Trench and Hurrah to instantly call in targets to the with many Canadian pilots, was Alley, in front of the Chalk Pit and artillery. In fact, one forward also instrumental in the infantry’s the Green Line, swept the Canadians observer was completely reliant on success at Hill 70. Six days before the with machine gun fire. After a fierce wireless communications once the attack, all six German observation battle, rifle grenadiers and small attack began. The German shellfire balloons in the Hill 70-Lens sector arms fire silenced the Germans. This

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allowed the battalion to advance as he took the opportunity to talk with as German snipers repeatedly far as the edge of the Chalk Pit, where some of his men, whom he found picked them off. By 1730 hours, German fire once again stopped to be in good spirits and anxious the 5th Battalion was almost out them.48 It was soon determined that to get the attack underway, despite of ammunition after pushing back the 7th and 8th Battalions did not the hard fighting they had already numerous counterattacks. Private have the strength to take the Chalk experienced.51 F.J. Tingley crawled back along the Pit as they were down to about 200 Throughout the day on the 16th, trenches collecting grenades and men. Therefore, they were ordered numerous German counterattacks bombs and distributing them to to consolidate their positions on the were mounted and summarily the men. He then posted himself Red Line, where the 5th and 10th repulsed. The Canadian assault on on the parapet and began to snipe Battalions would relieve them later the Chalk Pit began as scheduled. at the Germans advancing across that night.49 The 10th Battalion advanced quickly no-man’s-land. Soon, only 15 men Counterattacks continued on the left, entering the quarry, could be mustered by the battalion throughout the night of 15/16 August, killing 100 Germans and taking to carry on the fight. Consequently, and German shelling hampered 130 prisoners.52 On the right, the they withdrew their position 50 promised reliefs. Arthur Lapointe, 5th Battalion was held up almost yards from the Green Line. At 1830 recorded his experiences that night immediately, leaving the 10th’s flank hours, a party of 50 men from one of in his diary: exposed. The men from the 10th the support companies arrived and Battalion were not slowed by this the battalion retook the Green Line. We must wait for the rations which as they charged into the Chalk Pit Before long their lone machine gun are coming up, then we can drop off scattering the Germans in retreat.53 was put out of action and again they to sleep. There is an air of relaxation As the defenders fled, Canadian were forced to retire some 50 yards.55 in the dugout. Even the company machine gunners cut them down. With the retreat of the 5th commander smiles at the rough jests One Lewis gun team, consisting of Battalion, the 10th’s flank was of the men. Suddenly, an N.C.O. Privates Ewart Bateman and Harry exposed once more. Lance-Sergeant staggers in, his face haggard and his Baxter, lost the tripod for their gun. John Wennevold held a small post eyes staring. He is dusty and sweat Not wanting to miss the easy targets at the battalion’s extreme right. An is pouring down his face: “Sir” he presented to them, Baxter threw American from Minnesota, he had cries, “of twenty-five men on the himself on the ground and allowed been severely wounded at Second ration party only three are left. Lieut. Bateman to balance the gun on his Ypres and subsequently served Devarenne is dead and—.” Horror back as he fired at the Germans.54 as an instructor in England, but stricken, we listen to the ghastly After a bitter fight, the 5th requested to be sent back to the news.50 Battalion eventually caught up to 10th. His small party was attacked the 10th at the Green Line. However, three times and each time he was In the pitch black, with German shells attempts to send runners to establish the only survivor. Finally, with his and gas covering the battlefield, it contact between the two units failed fourth set of reinforcements, he held was difficult to get men or supplies forward, and the exhausted troops were left at the front to face another day of counterattacks. Overnight, the 5th and 10th Battalions were successful in relieving

their weary brigade-mates. On the CWM 19920044-962 morning of 16 August, Brigadier General F.O.W. Loomis advanced beyond the Red Line to ensure that everything was in place for the renewal of his brigade’s attack on the Chalk Pit that evening at 1600 hours. While he was in the front lines,

The Chalk Pit, photographed in 1919.

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the position until the battalion was the infantry.59 Had the gunners not 25 August. On the morning of the 21 relieved that night.56 The 5th was continued their support of the troops August, the 27th and 29th Battalions relieved at the same time, and both holding the line, it is highly likely that attempted to push out beyond the battalions retired for a well-deserved the Germans would have been able to Green Line in the 2nd Division’s rest. By 18 August, it became clear retake Hill 70. sector. Just as the attackers prepared that the Canadian position in the The infantry was exhausted and to climb out of their trenches, a Chalk Pit was not tenable, so the the protective screen set-up by the German force began to advance decision was made to pull the line artillery helped to keep them alive. across no-man’s-land towards the back about 300 yards from the Green Many soldiers had been in the line 29th Battalion. The Canadian barrage Line in that sector.57 since the opening day of the attack caught many of the Germans, but The effectiveness of the artillery without relief. On 22 August, Arthur some got through. The Canadians during the attack into the Chalk Lapointe described the situation in soon ran short of grenades and Pit is attested to in a journalistic- his battalion: hand-to-hand combat ensued. After style history that was published briefly gaining a foothold in Nun’s immediately after the war, called We were to have been relieved on Alley, a trench that connected to the The Great Adventure with the 4th the night after the attack and here Green Line but was still occupied Battery, Canadian Field Artillery. As we are, a week later, still holding this by Germans, the 29th was forced to the two battalions were engaged in miserable sector in which so many withdraw to its starting position.62 a desperate struggle, of our comrades have died. Each On the right, the 27th Battalion day the enemy has tried to regain did not fare much better. Shortly after the infantry made known their some of the ground torn from his the attack began, the Canadians were distress by flare after flare. These had grasp. Prisoners say that German halted in no-man’s-land by heavy scarcely reached their zenith when Great Headquarters has ordered the machine gun fire. Since they were Eighteen-Pounder ‘iron rations’ were ground retaken at all costs and that attacking through the ruins of the being distributed freely amongst the divisions of the Prussian Guard have city, the Germans had excellent cover Huns. So rapid was the fire that a been sent forward for the purpose.60 and could hide out in the basements wounded infantry officer, en route of destroyed buildings. Still, the men for the dressing-station, peered The counterattacks, including of the 27th pressed on and were able into the gun-pit and flatteringly these elite units from the Prussian to gain some of their objectives.63 demanded, “What new type of Guard, continued throughout the day As this was occurring, the 10th machine gun is that, boys?”58 on 18 August. On the 18th Battalion’s Brigade mounted an attack against front, close to Lens, a large group of the western part of Lens. Three However, the going was not Germans broke through the line and battalions, the 46th, 47th, and 50th always so smooth for the artillery at a savage fight to the death ensued. were employed, and despite fierce Hill 70. On the night of 17/18 August, Eventually, the Canadians drove the resistance from the Germans, they 15,000-20,000 shells were attackers out of the trench, although reached some of their objectives. fired at the Canadian batteries. The they left behind some 500 casualties. Private Percy Hellings, a scout in German counterattacks continued, General Erich Ludendorff, deputy the 46th Battalion, remembered and the strain of lifting and carrying chief of staff of the German Army, the intense fire his battalion faced: shells began to fog up the eye-pieces visited Lens on that day, and after “By the time we got halfway up on the gunners’ respirators. To keep determining that this was not a major that embankment the old machine up their rate of fire and protect the British offensive, called off the large- guns really opened up on us. We weakened infantry, many gunners scale counterattacks.61 The battle for thought there must have been a chose to remove their gas masks Hill 70 was won, but the fight for Lens million of them – boy, the noise and rather than slow down. By the next was just beginning. the racket!”64 The Canadians fought morning, 183 men from the 1st and through some of the defences, but the 2nd Artillery Brigades had been * * * * * Germans still held some positions in severely gassed. After the battle, lthough the 4th Division had their line, compromising the integrity K.B. Jackson, a gunner with the 1st Amade a feint towards the city of the newly-won Canadian ground. Divisional Artillery, wrote that “we on the 15th, the ultimate goal of the Therefore, it was soon decided to had only five Sergeants and cooks, battle was still to drive the Germans pull most of the units back to their and lord knows what, manning the out of the city. To do this, the 6th, original positions. The 6th Brigade guns.” The gunners were heroes, 10th, and 11th Brigades planned a did likewise, leaving the Canadians though, and recognized as such by series of attacks into Lens from 21- with a high body count and not much

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to show for it. On that day alone, the Canadians suffered 1,154 casualties including 346 killed.65 Despite these casualties, there was still a desire to capture Lens as soon as possible. This set the stage for what proved to be the final attack in CWM 19920165-109 the Battle of Hill 70. The Green Crassier was a huge pile of coal waste that overlooked the eastern part of Lens, as well as the Canadian lines to the west. It was an important strategic position, and its capture would have given the corps possession of the high ground around half of Lens. However, the The “Green Crassier,” photographed in 1919. attempt to take the Crassier by the 44th Battalion turned into a debacle, failure, and at this point, the officer Battalion realized that it was held by wasting dozens of Canadian lives. in command of the 44th Battalion a strong German force. Therefore, There are numerous reasons for this protested the plan. Lieutenant- the task of the two assault companies failure, one of which was the push Colonel W.D. Davies argued that was split, with one carrying out the from Major-General David Watson, even if his troops gained the height of original plan to attack the Crassier, commander of the 4th Division, to the Crassier, they would be cut off by and the other directed to clear Fosse take the Crassier. As we shall see, the strong German garrison at Fosse St. Louis. The first company mounted the blame cannot fall solely on his St. Louis, a small rise with a cluster the Crassier rather easily in the shoulders, as Haig and Horne wanted of buildings to the northwest of the darkness, but the other company the Canadians to take Lens all along waste pile. Hilliam overruled him.68 faced stiff opposition including five and Currie certainly did not want to On 22 August, at 1500 hours machine guns.71 disappoint them. Undoubtedly their Major-General Watson asked Corps At the break of dawn, the influence, although not direct, played HQ for permission to go ahead with Canadians exposed on top of the a part in Canadian generals ordering the attack on the Crassier that night, Crassier began to be swept by the capture of the Crassier. saying that it was a menace to the German machine gun fire. Since At 2230 hours on 15 August, as Canadian line as long as it remained Fosse St. Louis was still in enemy the first day of fighting was winding in German hands. Currie agreed, hands, there was no way to get any down at Hill 70, HQ Canadian Corps provided Watson was convinced that additional men or supplies to the issued an order outlining future the plan was sound, the troops were top of the waste pile, and soon small objectives and instructing that plans familiar with the ground, and they pockets of men became isolated in be made for their capture. One of the had practiced the attack as much shell holes.72 One soldier, who was objectives listed for the 4th Division as possible.69 This was obviously captured on the Crassier, wrote: was the Green Crassier.66 Even from an unrealistic expectation, as the this early stage in the battle, it is clear battalion could not be pulled out The slack heap was sure an easy that Currie anticipated the imminent of the line in the middle of a battle place to dig in – nothing but old coal capture of Lens. to go over a taped practice course. slack and loose dirt, which was sure a Five days later, 4th Division HQ Nonetheless, at 1720 hours, Watson give-away to us when daylight came; issued an order stating that if the issued an order to the 44th Battalion the fresh dirt thrown out showed attacks by the 46th, 47th, and 50th to carry out their operation against up so black. Then we were up so Battalions were successful on the the Crassier beginning at 0300 hours high you dare not look out or they 21st, the 44th Battalion would take that night.70 would shoot you in the head from the Green Crassier. According to Fosse St. Louis, with a small any direction. The slack heap on the this order, it would be up to the 10th cluster of ruined buildings covering side next [to] the Germans dropped Brigade’s commander, Brigadier- access to the Crassier, was supposed almost straight down. But they had General Hilliam, to decide if and to have been cleared of enemy troops a trench they could come up, so close when the attack would take place.67 during a previous raid, but, only to us they could throw their potato The attacks on 21 August were a minutes before zero hour, the 44th mashers at us. First whenever they

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The vanquished and the victors – Left: German prisoners captured at Hill 70 are marched into captivity; Right: Canadians soldiers who fought at Hill 70 head for a well-earned rest.

came at us we put them away with Battalion had suffered 257 casualties near Fosse St. Louis, during the 44th our Mills bombs; but they were soon in the attack, and over the next four Battalion’s attack. Someone, Mills all gone.73 days an attempt was made to discern does not say who, was apparently what had gone wrong.75 confused and thought that Fosses 4 As the Canadians’ ammunition On 26 August, Lieutenant-Colonel and St. Louis were the same.77 Had began to run out, the Germans slowly Davies issued a note explaining why Fosse St. Louis actually been clear, began pushing their way back across the plan to attack the Crassier was it would have been much easier to the Crassier. By late afternoon, the adopted, as well as the reasons for its resupply and reinforce the Canadians Germans had killed or captured failure. His contention was that there on top of the Crassier. every Canadian on the Crassier. Fosse were not enough men or supplies to Neither Watson’s nor Currie’s St. Louis also remained in enemy support the troops on the Crassier. personal diaries shed any more hands .74 He also noted that his officers had light on the decision-making which Although the 50th Battalion expected Fosse St. Louis to be clear led to the failed assault. In light of carried out a minor attack on 25 of Germans.76 The reason for this was the evidence, it may be surmised August to consolidate their position, supplied by Major Art Mills, acting that Watson did not heed Currie’s the battle was effectively over after commander of the 47th Battalion. advice to ensure that the plan was the failure on the Crassier. The 44th His battalion was holding Fosse 4, sound before proceeding with an

General Arthur Currie, holding walking stick, at a memorial service to men who fell during the Hill 70 advance, September 1917. CWM 19930013-931

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attack on the Crassier. At the same remembered a wounded soldier on the Western Front. The so-called time, though, he may have been a on his way to the rear telling him “learning curve” can be discerned victim of faulty intelligence, since it “‘Vimy was a cinch compared with at Hill 70 by the introduction of seems that everyone believed Fosse the Somme; and the Somme was several new technologies, such as St. Louis to be clear until minutes easy compared with Hill 70.’”81 Hill the continuous wave wireless sets, before the attack. Indeed, a Canadian 70 had been a difficult battle, costing and the forward landing fields CWM 19920013-300 intelligence report from 23 August the Corps 8,677 casualties.82 But the allowing pilots more time over the stated that, “during the course of objectives of the battle had been won. battlefield. The use of artillery to last night our troops occupied Puits 4 Hill 70 was captured and held, and create a kill-zone as the infantry Fosse St. Louis.”78 Brigadier-General German forces were diverted from dug-in after a successful attack was Hilliam must also share in the blame reinforcing Flanders. The Germans also an innovation. As well, the for the debacle on the Crassier. He had suffered an estimated 20,000 successes at Vimy and Hill 70 ensured should have taken the advice of casualties from five divisions, more that Currie’s methods of diligent Lieutenant-Colonel Davies, who than double the Canadians’ losses.83 preparation and cooperation between had personally seen the front before It was truly a rarity on the Western the combat arms would continue the attack and strongly protested Front to have an attacking force suffer throughout the war. In a letter of sending his men forward. It should fewer casualties than the defenders. thanks to the Royal Artillery, Currie also be stated that an attack on such Thanks to Currie’s strategy, though, wrote that “success must ever be ours a small front, comprising only one after the first day of the battle, when the co-operation between all battalion, was reckless. It was really the Canadians had become the services is so marked.”86 Although nothing more than a trench raid and defenders, forcing the Germans mistakes had been made, most the Germans were well dug in around to counterattack through a hail of notably by not taking advantage of the Crassier. With only a narrow shrapnel and machine gun fire. the high ground to clear the city, the avenue of attack, the Germans would The Battle of Hill 70 does not battle had been won. Hill 70 would be able to concentrate a large quantity deserve to be relegated to the back become a part of the Canadian Corps’ of firepower on a small section of the pages of history. On the CBC’s unbroken string of victories from front. Since the Canadians already Flanders’ Fields radio program, a series Vimy to Mons, and it contributed to controlled the high ground of Hill of interviews with veterans broadcast the reputation of Currie as one of the 70, there should have been no rush in 1964, at the end of the episode on best generals on the Western Front. to take Lens. Instead of attacking Vimy the narrator says that “Next with one or two battalions here and week, the victorious Canadians there, they could have massed their move down from the heights of Vimy Notes artillery on the hill and proceeded Ridge into that incredible bog of 84 to bombard the Germans until they mud and blood at Passchendaele.” I would like to thank Dr. Tim Cook, my were forced to pull back out of the Hill 70 is completely ignored, yet mentor in the study of and the First World War. Without his support, insight, and city. In fact, on 22 August, this had Lance-Corporal Kenneth Foster, who suggestions, this paper would not have been already been considered. A First fought at Hill 70 as a member of the written. Army intelligence report stated that 3rd Brigade Machine Gun Company, 1. Terry Copp, “The Military Effort,” Canada if the Germans were “unable to gain wrote in his memoirs that, “in order and the First World War: Essays in Honour more room by counterattacks, their of merit I will put Passchendaele at of Robert Craig Brown, edited by David MacKenzie (Toronto: University of losses will probably force them to the top of the class, with the Somme Toronto Press, 2005), p.52. evacuate Lens.”79 Unfortunately, this second, Hill 70 third, Cambrai fourth 2. G.W.L. Nicholson, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 1914-1919 (Ottawa: Roger avenue was never explored. and Amiens fifth, they being the five Duhamel, Queen’s Printer and Controller Despite these setbacks, the battle most important engagements that the of Stationary, 1962); Tim Cook, Shock for Hill 70 was a success. As Arthur Canadians took part in.”85 He leaves Troops: Canadians Fighting the Great War CWM 19930013-931 1917-1918, Volume 2 (Toronto: Viking Lapointe watched members of his out Vimy Ridge, but the message is Canada, 2008). battalion return from the front lines, clear: the men who fought at Hill 70 3. Geoff Jackson, “‘Anything But Lovely’: he wrote that, “Coming from the recognized the importance of the The Canadian Corps at Lens in the summer of 1917,” Canadian Military furnace after eight days of hardship battle, even if historians have not. History (Winter 2008), p.5. and sorrow, the men’s faces are Hill 70 built on the reputation the 4. All three quotations are from Daniel haggard and their clothing torn and Canadians had earned at 2nd Ypres, Dancocks, Sir Arthur Currie (Toronto: Methuen, 1985), p.107. dusty, but their eyes shine with the the Somme, and Vimy Ridge, and 5. For the controversy surrounding Currie’s light of pride in victory.”80 William was a significant stepping-stone on promotion, see Dancocks, Currie, pp.99- Breckenridge, of the 42nd Battalion, their path to becoming elite troops 104 and Hugh M. Urquhart, Arthur Currie

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(Toronto: J.M. Dent and Sons Ltd, 1950), Battalion 1914-1919 (Markham: Penguin 67. WD, 4th Division General Staff, August pp. 160-7. Books, 1990), p.129. 1917, O.O. 52, App.B, p.9. 6. Dancocks, Currie, p.105. 29. R.C. Fetherstonhaugh, The 13th Battalion 68. Goodspeed, 107 and E.S. Russenholt, Six 7. John Swettenham, McNaughton Vol. 1 Royal Highlanders of Canada 1914-1919 Thousand Canadian Men: 44th Battalion (Toronto: The Ryerson Press, 1968), 98. (Toronto: Warwick Bros and Rutter, Ltd, Canadian Infantry (Winnipeg: DE Montfort 8. Dancocks, Currie, pp. 105-6. 1925), p.195. Press, 1932), p.109. 9. Bill Rawling, Surviving 30. Ibid, pp. 195-6. 69. WD, Canadian Corps General Staff, (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 31. Ibid, p.197. August 1917, p.68. 1992), p.139. 32. WD, 2nd Brigade, August 1917, App.10, 70. WD, 4th Division General Staff, August 10. Bruce Cane, It Made You Think of Home: p.21. 1917, O.O. 53, App.B, p.10. The Haunting Journal of Deward Barnes 33. WD, 2nd Brigade, August 1917, App.10. 71. WD, 10th Brigade, August 1917, App.C, (Toronto: The Dundurn Group, 2004), 34. R.C. Fetherstonhaugh, The 24th Battalion, pp.22-5. 1p.06. C.E.F., Victoria Rifles of Canada, 1914-1919 72. Russenholt, p.110. 11. Nicholson, Canadian Expeditionary Force, (Montreal: Gazette Printing Company, 73. Ibid., p.111. pp. 260-1. 1930), p.162. 74. Nicholson, CEF, p.271. 12. W. Arthur Steel, “Wireless Telegraphy in 35. Ibid, p.161. 75. Ibid. the Canadian Corps,” Canadian Defence 36. Lapointe, p.59. 76. WD, 10th Brigade, August 1917, App.C, Quarterly (October, 1929), pp. 50-2. 37. WD, 3rd Brigade, August 1917, App.21. p.25. 13. The actual number of guns that 38. R.C. Fetherstonhaugh, The Royal Montreal 77. WD, 10th Brigade, August 1917, App.C, participated in the battle was slightly Regiment, 14th Battalion CEF, 1914-1925, p.26. different as guns broke down or were (Montreal: Gazette Printing Company, 78. CWM – Currie Collection, 58A 1 59.5 destroyed. Library and Archives Canada 1927), p.169. 19801226-269, “Canadian Corps – [LAC], RG 24, Vol 1820, G.A.Q. 5-7 “Hill 39. WD, 3rd Brigade, August 1917, App.21. Summary of Intelligence No. 134, 23 70 Operations – August 1917, Artillery 40. Nicholson, CEF, p.263. August 1917” and Machine Guns.” At the beginning 41. Ibid., p.263. 79. Ibid, “First Army Intelligence Summary of the battle, the 1st Division had 94 42. Chester E. Routley, The 18th Battalion, – No. 952, 22 August 1917” 18-pounders, the 2nd had 96, and the C.E.F., unpublished memoir held at the 80. Lapointe, p.67. 4th had 24. The 1st Division had their Military History Research Centre, CWM, 81. William Breckenridge, From Vimy to Mons, full complement of 24 4.5-inch howitzers, pp.134-5. unpublished memoir held at the Military while the 2nd Division had 18. Nineteen 43. Steel, p.52 and Nicholson, Gunners, p.298. History Research Centre, CWM, p.55. 13 pounders were also split between the 44. James Edmonds, Official History of the 82. LAC, RG 24 Vol 1844 folder G.A.Q. 11- 1st and 2nd Divisions. Great War: 1917 Vol II, (Nashville: Battery 11F, “Battle Casualties - Hill 70 August 14. G.W.L. Nicholson, The Gunners of Canada Press, 1948), p.227. 1917.” The total of 9198 casualties given Vol 1 (Toronto: McClelland and Stewart 45. Rawling, p.142. by Nicholson (and used subsequently) Ltd, 1967), p.294. 46. S.F. Wise, Canadian Airmen and the is incorrect. According to this file, 8677 15. Ibid, 292 and Dancocks, p.106. First World War (Toronto: University of Canadians were killed or wounded 16. LAC, RG 24, Vol 1820, G.A.Q. 5-7 “Hill 70 Toronto Press, 1980), pp. 421-3. at Hill 70. Another 521 were killed or Operations – August 1917, Artillery and 47. Dancocks, Gallant Canadians, p.131. wounded between August 15 and 25 at Machine Guns.” 48. WD, 2nd Brigade, August 1917, App.10. other locations on the Western Front. 17. Swettenham, pp. 100-1. 49. Nicholson, CEF, p.264. 83. Nicholson, CEF, p.271. 18. Kenneth H. Cousland, The Great War: A 50. Lapointe, p.64. 84. Flanders’ Fields Vol 9 – The Battle of Vimy Former “Gunner” of the First World War 51. WD, 2nd Brigade, August 1917, App.10. Ridge, transcript available at the Military looks back, unpublished memoir held at 52. Nicholson, CEF, p.264. History Research Centre, CWM, p.30. the Military History Research Centre, 53. WD, 2nd Brigade, August 1917, App.10. 85. From the Memoirs of Kenneth Walter Canadian War Museum [CWM], p.93. 54. Dancocks, Gallant Canadians, p.132. Foster, available online at The Canadian 19. For an example of the troubles faced 55. WD, 2nd Brigade, August 1917, App.10. Letters and Images Project, Malaspina during assembly, see War Diary [WD], 56. Dancocks, Gallant Canadians, p.134. Collection. 4th Brigade, “Report on Operations of 57. Nicholson, CEF, p.267. 86. CWM – Currie Collection, 58A 1 59.5 the 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade, in 58. No author, The Great Adventure with 19801226-269, “Letter from Currie to Connection with the Capture of Hill 70,” the 4th Battery, C.F.A. (London: Canada G.O.C. R.A. - 28 August 1917” App.11a. Newspaper, c.1919), p.30. 20. Cane, p.111. 59. Tim Cook, No Place to Run (Vancouver: 21. Arthur Lapointe, Soldier of Quebec, UBC Press, 1999), 130. The quote from translated by R.C. Fetherstonhaugh K.B. Jackson is also found in No Place to (Montreal: Editions Edouard Garand, Run. 1931), p.57. 60. Lapointe, p.64. 22. War Diary [WD], 1st Brigade, Canadian 61. D.J. Goodspeed, The Road Past Vimy Field Artillery, August 1917. (Toronto: Macmillan of Canada, 1969), Matthew Walthert graduated from 23. Nicholson, CEF, pp.260-1. p.106. Carleton University in 2007 with a BA, 24. Ibid, p.262. 62. H.R.N. Clyne, Vancouver’s 29th with Honours in History. He then spent 25. WD, 3rd Brigade, August 1917, App.21, (Vancouver: Tobin’s Tigers Association, a year in the Canadian Forces, training as p.13. 1964), pp.44-7. an Infantry Officer, before returning to 26. WD, 2nd Brigade, August 1917, App.10. 63. Nicholson, CEF, p.268. Ottawa and a job with Industry Canada. 27. Joseph Chaballe, Histoire du 22e Bataillon 64. James L. McWilliams and R. James Steel, He currently lives in Ottawa with his Canadien-Francais, (Montreal: Les Editions The Suicide Battalion (Edmonton: Hurtig wife, Caitlin, and their new daughter, Chantecler Ltee, 1952), p.295. Publishers, 1978), p.101. Ava. 28. WD, 10th Battalion, August 1917, App.28 65. Nicholson, CEF, p.269. and Daniel Dancocks, Gallant Canadians: 66. WD, Canadian Corps General Staff, The Story of the Tenth Canadian Infantry August 1917, O.O. 142, App.II/1-II/21, p.14.

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