The Battle of Passchendaele
The First World War was a catastrophic event that led to many deaths around the world. During that period of time, Canada played a significant role in the war. One of the most successful and furious battle that Canada fought must be the Battle of Passchendaele. Canada gained the reputation of bravery and strong fighting spirits after the battle. In order to win the battle, the Canadians tried hard to gather as much information as possible. One of the biggest reason that Canada won was because that Arthur Currie. In the meantime, Currie used a lot of military tactics that was very intelligent. Though some say that Canada won the battle just because they are lucky, but in fact they were successful because they attempted a lot of different new military tactics, they were led by a mighty leader, and they understood their enemies and the territories well.
The Battle of Passchendaele also known as the third Battle of Ypres was one of Canada’s greatest success. It was not the first time Canada fought there, which made Canada a lot more familiar with the environment around. By the spring of 1917, British naval leaders urged their government to stop the Germans from occupying ports on the Belgian coast, which were being used as enemy submarine bases. In that case, General Douglas Haig, the commander of the British army in Europe suggested to attack the Passchendaele, for that capturing the plateau overlooking the salient would provide a suitable jumping-off point for Allied forces to advance to the Belgian coast. At that time, Germans took full control of the ridge. The battle since 1914 has turned the area into a barren plain, without trees or vegetation, covered by shell pits. The earlier battle also destroyed the drainage system of the old Flanders River Basin, which once Curried rain away from the fields. In the new attack, millions of artillery explosions accompanied by a torrential rain quickly turned the battlefield into a living hell: a muddy, muddy swamp, filled with water filled pit, enough to drown a man. Canada had a great success even under the circumstance like so.
A victorious battle is usually led by a wise leader, same for the Battle of Passchendaele. As the main general of the battle, Haig ordered his lieutenant Arthur Currie, the Canadian Corps' new commanders to bring all his divisions and join the battle. Currie started being the commander of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade and joined the second Battle of Ypres. Two months later, the commander of the first division, E.A.H. Alderson was promoted to commander of the new Canadian division, and Currie became commander of Canada's first division. In June 1916, Currie took part in a planned and successful counterattack against the German army in Mount Sorrel. In September, the Canadian corps arrived in the battle of the Somme. Like other forces, Currie and the first Canadian division suffered heavy losses due to small profits. However, Canadians proved their courage in the Battle of Vimy Ridge (April 1917), a well-planned victory by Sir Julian Byng, the commander of the Canadians Corps, executed by the Currie. When Byng was appointed as a commander of the British army, Byng recommended Currie to replace him; Currie was knighted and was the commander of the Canadian Corps in June 9, 1917, the first Canadian to hold the position. When Haig ordered Currie to bring his soldiers and battle around the Passchendaele village, Currie decisively rejected his order. He argued that this move will cause unnecessary casualties and will not benefit the troops at all. However, Currie had to do what his commander told him, so he planned carefully. In order to relieve the family members of the dead, Currie said: "To those who fall I say: You will not die but step into immortality. Your mothers will not lament your fate but will be proud to have borne such sons. Your names will be revered forever and ever by your grateful country, and God will take you unto Himself,". From this quote, it is not hard to tell that Currie is an impartial and compassionate person. Overall, Currie is a brave and intelligent commander who has a caring heart for his soldiers.
Currie put in many different kinds of military tactics in the battle. Over the next two weeks after he was ordered to attack, Currie ordered the removal of the dead, as well as the construction and repair of roads and rails to help the transport of people, artillery shells and other materials on the battlefield. Even so, transporting troops to the front line of their offensive is a dangerous thing. The battlefield is a vast expanse of mud, full of water filled craters. Soldiers and pack animals must pass through the narrow "duck walk" track and be injured in the crater. Slipping from orbit, it is possible to drown in a pit big enough to swallow a house. Under these conditions, the army and officers have time to locate themselves and prepare for attack, starting in October 26th. In the next two weeks, the four divisions of the Canadian divisions accomplished four separate attacks in turn. In the first two October 26th and October 30th, Canada only gained a few hundred meters a day, even though it suffered heavy losses. Fighting so fiercely, a camp, Princess Patricia's Canadian light infantry, lost almost all junior officers only in an hour of attack in October 30th. In November 6th, Canadians launched their third attack on the ridge. They succeeded in capturing the ruins of Passchendaele village from the desperate German guards. The fourth attack ensured that Ypres have captured the rest of the east of the territory. In order to win a battle, militaries tactics are necessary, and Currie used a lot of them.
Ultimately, Canada won the Battle of Passchendaele not only because their excellent knowledge about the battle, but also the fabulous leadership of Currie, and amazing military tactics. The battle built a great foundation for Canada to become independent, people refer Canadians as courageous and powerful. In the end, Canada won the battle by casualties of approximately 16000 Canadians. In Battle of Passchendaele was definitely a battle that made Canada shine, and become impressive from perspectives other countries.