The Second Battle of Ypres

What began as a deadlock in Belgium suddenly turned into one of the most horrific battles of the First World War. The Western Front had been stuck in a stalemate with trenches from the Allied and Central Powers spanning France and Belgium leading up to April 22nd, 1915. Tensions were high in Ypres, Belgium, because if the Germans were able to take the town, they could cut communication and supply lines for the Allies in the region by ending use of the French Channel ports. By capturing Ypres, the Germans would not only force the Allies to retreat to a further distance they could maintain, but also gain access to Flanders. This battle was a defining moment for Canada as a country, as it proved to the world that we were are than just a British colony. We are our own country, with our own national identity.

The city was defended by the 1st Canadian Division, led by Lieutenant-General E.A.H. Alderson, the Belgian 6th Division under Major General Armand de Ceuninck, the French 45th Division from Algeria and Morocco, and the 87th Territorial Division commanded by General Henri Putz. However, even with thousands of soldiers in position, they never could have expected the horror that was about to unfold. Up until World War I, Canada was still seen as a colonial power of Britain, like India was, by other countries. This changed when they soon separated themselves from the British when the Germans unleashed their latest weapon on the battlefield.

At 5:00 PM on the 22nd of April, yellowy green smoke billowed from thousands of canisters in the northeastern German territory. It wafted with a gentle afternoon breeze into a fatal haze blanketing the battlefield, heading straight to the southwest–directly to Ypres. The German forces had released nearly 180,000 kg of chlorine gas into the air. This was not just the first-ever large-scale use of chemical warfare, but also Canada’s first major battle in Europe, so they had less experience and were thus at a major disadvantage. The French army was positioned a few kilometres ahead of Ypres, so their line was hit first by Germany’s chlorine gas. Seeing the effects, the Algerians and Moroccans were forced to either suffocate or retreat, with most leaving their posts for the Central powers to take.

By nightfall, the Germans had begun to advance and slowly take more territory, capturing the advantageous high ground at Pilckem Ridge. This gave them a perfect position to hold and take the town of St. Julien (modern-day St. Juliaan), which was only 4km away from Ypres. The Canadians tried to flank the Germans by taking Bois des Cuisiniers, or Kitchener’s Wood, a nearby oak forest. They pushed against the machine gun fire of the Germans, and took the wood. The Canadians now had forces to the left of St. Julien and to the south, forcing the Germans out. They retook nearly all the territory they lost to the initial gassing. They refused to give up their post, holding down the line and driving the Central Power forces back. After 36 hours passed from the first attack, the Germans released a second wave of poisonous gas, this time directly onto the Canadian lines. However, this time they were prepared. Soaking clothes in their own urine, the Canadians created makeshift gas masks. The ammonia in the urine reacts with chlorine, thus mostly neutralizing the threat. The Canadians pushed and held them off.

Despite tens of thousands of casualties, with thousands captured, injured, or deceased, the battle ended with neither side making any large gain on either one of the other. The Central Powers gained a small amount of ground on the Allies and showed the world the deadly effects of chemical weapons, while the Allies learned more about how to use and counter chemical weapons as well as maintained their hold on the city of Ypres. Canada alone suffered 6,000 casualties, but gained international respect for its bravery, discipline and courage. Though its cost was high, Ypres decisively marked the moment when Canada earned its place on the world stage as a nation.

Canada, Veterans Affairs. “Ypres 1915 - Veterans Affairs Canada.” Www.veterans.gc.ca, 12 July 2022, www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/wars-and-conflicts/first-world-war/battle-of-ypres.

“Canada’s History - Ypres.” Greatwaralbum.ca, greatwaralbum.ca/Great-War-Album/Battle-Fronts/Second-Battle-of-Ypres-St-Julien.

“Generals - E.A.H. Alderson.” Canada and the First World War, www.warmuseum.ca/firstworldwar/history/people/generals/e-a-h-alderson/.