The Second Battle of Ypres

TVO ILC CHC2D Lesson 1 The Second Battle of Ypres

The Second Battle of Ypres rolled over their positions, French troops either suffocated or fled, their eyes and throats burning from the chlorine. The Second Battle of Ypres marked the Most of the gas missed the Canadians, Canadians’ first major engagement. but the French retreat had exposed the Canadian’s left flank and threatened the An Important Allied Position destruction of the whole Allied position in In 1915, the Germans were attacking Russia the salient. General Alderson’s units shifted in the east. On the Western Front, they positions to cover the gap, but the German were mostly on the defensive, though they gas attack had torn a huge hole, several continued to mount local attacks if conditions kilometres wide, in the Allied line. were favourable. To probe Allied defences, From 22 April to 25 April, the Canadians cover the movement of troops to the Eastern fought tenaciously to defend this exposed Front, and test their new weapon, chlorine position. Outnumbered, outgunned, and gas, the Germans prepared for a limited outflanked, on the 24th they faced a second, offensive in Belgium in spring 1915 against this time direct, chlorine gas attack. The the Ypres salient, a bulge in the Allied lines. Canadians counterattacked to stall the The last major Belgian town in Allied hands, German advance, and then slowly gave Ypres provided a defensive position from ground, buying precious time for British which to protect French ports on the English troops to be rushed forward. Channel. It had to be held. A New Reputation but High Casualties Canadians Gassed in Battle The Canadian Division’s trial-by-fire at Ypres On 22 April, two Canadian brigades were in earned the Canadians a reputation as tough the front lines, with a third in reserve near and dependable troops, but they had paid Ypres. At 5 p.m., the Germans released gas a high price: some 6000 casualties over the against the French 45th (Algerian) Division four-day battle. to the Canadians’ left. An enormous green- yellow gas cloud, several kilometres long, Source: The Canadian War Museum drifted towards the French lines. When it