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The Suicide Battalion
A staggering history of one of the First World War’s most daring military units. An essential book for readers of Peter Hart, Tim Cook and Nick Lloyd.
The men of the 46th Canadian Infantry Battalion were some of the most effective shock troops of the Allied forces in the Great War. They drove back German forces wherever they met and refused ever to surrender. Such tactics struck fear in their enemies, yet, it came at a tremendous cost. Of the 5374 officers and men who passed through the unit, a total of 4917, or 91 per cent, were either killed or wounded.
J.L. McWilliams and R. James Steel chart the history of this battalion from when it was formed on 7th November 1914 through all of its major battles, including the Somme, Vimy Ridge, Hill 70, Passchendaele, Amiens, the Hundred Days Offensive and breaking through the Hindenburg Line, to when it was finally disbanded at the end of the war. Rather than focus simply on the grand strategies of generals, McWilliams and Steel use numerous personal accounts, both written at the time and afterwards, to depict what life was like for the regular soldier of the 46th Battalion during these treacherous years spent in muddy trenches in France and Belgium.
The men of the 46th Canadian Infantry Battalion were some of the most effective shock troops of the Allied forces in the Great War. They drove back German forces wherever they met and refused ever to surrender. Such tactics struck fear in their enemies, yet, it came at a tremendous cost. Of the 5374 officers and men who passed through the unit, a total of 4917, or 91 per cent, were either killed or wounded.
J.L. McWilliams and R. James Steel chart the history of this battalion from when it was formed on 7th November 1914 through all of its major battles, including the Somme, Vimy Ridge, Hill 70, Passchendaele, Amiens, the Hundred Days Offensive and breaking through the Hindenburg Line, to when it was finally disbanded at the end of the war. Rather than focus simply on the grand strategies of generals, McWilliams and Steel use numerous personal accounts, both written at the time and afterwards, to depict what life was like for the regular soldier of the 46th Battalion during these treacherous years spent in muddy trenches in France and Belgium.
241 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1978
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 4, 2016
I have a general affinity for books related to WWI, which is hardly surprising when you consider that I am descended from two men who were combatants in that conflict. My father's father was a cavalryman and my mother's grandfather was an infantryman who served in the titular battalion, the 46th Battalion of Canadian Infantry, known to history as the Suicide Battalion for reasons that will become clear. This Battalion existed for a very short time, essentially called into service for the duration, authorized on the first day of February 1915 and passed into history on the ninth day of June 1919, in existence for just over four years.
The authors have done a great job of tracking down the survivors and cobbling together a very readable account based on interviews and what few records that could be generated by a military unit that existed for such a brief period. The tales are variations of the standard fare one gets in WWI personal accounts: cowardice, bravery, commanders who were loved or loathed, horror upon horror, decimated families. What made this one stand out for me was that the men interviewed for this book knew my great-grandfather....had to have known him, shared a trench, a meal, a cigarette perhaps. Maybe one had even helped bury him there on Vimy Ridge on the 11th of April 1917. He died possibly not knowing he would be a father and have scores of descendants.
He certainly didn't die alone:
P. 204: The statistics were grim: 5,374 men had served in the 46th. Of these 4,917 had been casualties-an incredible 91.5 percent. Only 457 men had served in the Suicide Battalion without being hit.
The only flaw I could find with this precious account is that there is not a single photograph, map, or diagram within the covers. Seriously, this is a big flaw in any military history book.
I'm glad to have found a copy of this tribute to the brave men of a forgotten unit. I read it with a pang of guilt: the survivors were interviewed in the 70s: I was around then, in my twenties, and if my head wasn't stuffed with hay I could have looked these chaps up myself. I might have learned something first hand about my ancestor.
The authors have done a great job of tracking down the survivors and cobbling together a very readable account based on interviews and what few records that could be generated by a military unit that existed for such a brief period. The tales are variations of the standard fare one gets in WWI personal accounts: cowardice, bravery, commanders who were loved or loathed, horror upon horror, decimated families. What made this one stand out for me was that the men interviewed for this book knew my great-grandfather....had to have known him, shared a trench, a meal, a cigarette perhaps. Maybe one had even helped bury him there on Vimy Ridge on the 11th of April 1917. He died possibly not knowing he would be a father and have scores of descendants.
He certainly didn't die alone:
P. 204: The statistics were grim: 5,374 men had served in the 46th. Of these 4,917 had been casualties-an incredible 91.5 percent. Only 457 men had served in the Suicide Battalion without being hit.
The only flaw I could find with this precious account is that there is not a single photograph, map, or diagram within the covers. Seriously, this is a big flaw in any military history book.
I'm glad to have found a copy of this tribute to the brave men of a forgotten unit. I read it with a pang of guilt: the survivors were interviewed in the 70s: I was around then, in my twenties, and if my head wasn't stuffed with hay I could have looked these chaps up myself. I might have learned something first hand about my ancestor.
July 27, 2019
This is the story of of the 46th Canadian Infantry Battalion (South Saskatchewan) co-authored by my high school history teacher Jim McWilliams. Published in 1978, it took me a long time to get to this one, but im glad I finally did. With Canada's call to arms in WW I, came the formation, in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, of the 46th, later nicknamed, with good reason, 'The Suicide Battalion'.
The book tracks their movements, battles and exploits from beginning to the end - their demobilization back in Moose Jaw. The books strengths are the first hand accounts of the men themselves who wallowed in the mud and the blood and poison gas of flanders fields and of Normandy. Strategy is discussed, or lack thereof, but this is very much a human story. This is the story of our grandfathers, our great grandfathers, numb with their weekly rum ration to fortify themselves, to forge ahead, brothers, whatever the cost.
And the cost was high: '5374 men had served in the 46th. Of these 4917 had been casualties- an incredible 91.5 percent..... 1433 young men would stay forever in France or Flanders, or in graveyards in Blighty. Thus the survivors did not cheer on Armistice Day.'
The book wouldve earned another star had it included photographs, but it has left an indelible impression on my mind and i will wear the poppy on Remembrance Day now with much reverence.
The book tracks their movements, battles and exploits from beginning to the end - their demobilization back in Moose Jaw. The books strengths are the first hand accounts of the men themselves who wallowed in the mud and the blood and poison gas of flanders fields and of Normandy. Strategy is discussed, or lack thereof, but this is very much a human story. This is the story of our grandfathers, our great grandfathers, numb with their weekly rum ration to fortify themselves, to forge ahead, brothers, whatever the cost.
And the cost was high: '5374 men had served in the 46th. Of these 4917 had been casualties- an incredible 91.5 percent..... 1433 young men would stay forever in France or Flanders, or in graveyards in Blighty. Thus the survivors did not cheer on Armistice Day.'
The book wouldve earned another star had it included photographs, but it has left an indelible impression on my mind and i will wear the poppy on Remembrance Day now with much reverence.
September 7, 2020
Just reading this book makes you almost want to cry. The young men of the 46th Battalion crossed Canada from Saskatchewan to fight in WWI. Although they did not participate in the First Day on the Somme, they served on many a bloody battlefield such as Passchendaele and the great battles which saved the Allies in 1918. 5,374 served with 46th and of these 4,917 were casualties, including 1,433 dead! Only 457 men were not wounded. As part of the Canadian Corps, their reputation for getting the job done was a sign of their bravery and at a great cost.
The stories of these young men is hard to imagine after a 100 years. What they went through is reflected time and time again until that great day when the guns fell silent. There are no maps, but this is more because it is a story of men who fought, instead of the ground they fought for.
The stories of these young men is hard to imagine after a 100 years. What they went through is reflected time and time again until that great day when the guns fell silent. There are no maps, but this is more because it is a story of men who fought, instead of the ground they fought for.
May 28, 2020
According to my mother, my grandfather, a WWI veteran, told her that this book was the only one he had ever read that came anywhere close to describing what the war was really like to the soldiers who served in the trenches.
July 2, 2020
Wonderful book
This book is about the men of the 46th Canadian Infantry Battalion in WW1. Ninety one percent of the soldiers were either killed or wounded in WW1. The book is full of first person stories of the men who served.
This book is about the men of the 46th Canadian Infantry Battalion in WW1. Ninety one percent of the soldiers were either killed or wounded in WW1. The book is full of first person stories of the men who served.
May 23, 2020
This was a free review copy from Sapere Books.
Like many battalions from across the Empire, the 46th was formed from volunteers willing to leave their civilian lives and go half way across the world to fight for King and country. It is still amazing to think that people would be willing to risk their lives to fight for the protection of a country so far away. In fact, given that Great Britain only entered the war due to Germany's invasion of Belgium to get to France then these brave Canadians gave their lives to protect countries beyond Empire. When one looks back to the times though it has to be remembered that North American countries were younger, their generations of immigrants fewer and the ties to the 'old country' would be stronger. Canadians marched through French towns on the way to war wearing kilts and whisky was the drink of choice for officers.
First published in 1978 this book is meticulously researched and is able to include first hand accounts from men who were still alive at the time of publication. It is a harrowing read. Immensely so. The descriptions of the injuries, the manner of death of so many young men, the conditions under which they lived, slept, ate, fought and died are harsher than more recent accounts. There is no gloss her, fear and horror sit alongside bravery.
And what bravery. There are tales that spring from the pages of comic books, of dashing sergeants running and shooting from the hip; of men taking out a dozen Germans and capturing scores more. To me, though, the real bravery is just climbing up that ladder and walking towards the enemy and the 46th did it time after time after time. The Somme, Passchendaele, Vimy, Valenciennes, the list of battles at which they fought is incredible and yet those same boys from South Saskatchewan kept going back to the line and going again. This isn't crazed bloodlust, this isn't hardened soldiering, this is a group of farmhands and clerks following orders, overcoming fear and honestly talking of the confusion of battle.
The start of the book will be a joy for military history fans but the numbers of battalions and the administration of armies didn't do much for me but once they arrive in England and then on to France it picks up and is as honest an account of how horrific war is as I have ever read. Rum was a welcome relief on the frontline and I raised a glass to them several times during reading this book.
Like many battalions from across the Empire, the 46th was formed from volunteers willing to leave their civilian lives and go half way across the world to fight for King and country. It is still amazing to think that people would be willing to risk their lives to fight for the protection of a country so far away. In fact, given that Great Britain only entered the war due to Germany's invasion of Belgium to get to France then these brave Canadians gave their lives to protect countries beyond Empire. When one looks back to the times though it has to be remembered that North American countries were younger, their generations of immigrants fewer and the ties to the 'old country' would be stronger. Canadians marched through French towns on the way to war wearing kilts and whisky was the drink of choice for officers.
First published in 1978 this book is meticulously researched and is able to include first hand accounts from men who were still alive at the time of publication. It is a harrowing read. Immensely so. The descriptions of the injuries, the manner of death of so many young men, the conditions under which they lived, slept, ate, fought and died are harsher than more recent accounts. There is no gloss her, fear and horror sit alongside bravery.
And what bravery. There are tales that spring from the pages of comic books, of dashing sergeants running and shooting from the hip; of men taking out a dozen Germans and capturing scores more. To me, though, the real bravery is just climbing up that ladder and walking towards the enemy and the 46th did it time after time after time. The Somme, Passchendaele, Vimy, Valenciennes, the list of battles at which they fought is incredible and yet those same boys from South Saskatchewan kept going back to the line and going again. This isn't crazed bloodlust, this isn't hardened soldiering, this is a group of farmhands and clerks following orders, overcoming fear and honestly talking of the confusion of battle.
The start of the book will be a joy for military history fans but the numbers of battalions and the administration of armies didn't do much for me but once they arrive in England and then on to France it picks up and is as honest an account of how horrific war is as I have ever read. Rum was a welcome relief on the frontline and I raised a glass to them several times during reading this book.
August 11, 2021
How and Why did these Brave Canadians Do it
The more I read of the the laughingly termed War to End All Wars 1914-1918, And see in print the criminal actions of the Top Brass with their insane orders to the Front Line Troops the more angry I get, The orders sent from GHQ in most every action in this horrible conflict were in my opinion the actions of Mad Men and Murder on an industrial scale, And it is still going on today in the 21st Century Normal Men and Women being slaughtered maimed driven insane on the whims of Politicians Who in turn instruct the Mad Men to go To WAR, Then these Mad Men 35 to 40 miles Behind any front line one cares to mention order normal people to Murder in the name of WAR, And in the case of the War described in this excellent Book Ordered Men to Clamber out of Trenches into a muddy rat infested Stinking piece of Hell with Rotten corpses in full view barbed wire ahead of them and a Wall of Bullets hurtling towards them from 100yards away as soon as they appeared above the parapets and cannon shells bursting amongst them some the size of a house to be Honest I cannot for the life of me understand Why the Normal Men carried out the insane orders from GHQ,107 years ago Young Men were doing this we are now in the year 2021 War materiel and ordinance have advanced beyond belief one Missile could wipe out Britain a Couple could Destroy Continents and Young Men and Women are still being ordered to their Deaths and Loss of sight hearing speech arms legs FOR WHAT! We the Normal People must put a STOP TO ALL WARS as the Political Elite and Armed Forces HQs from all Nations are incapable or indifferent to the carnage caused by their INSANE ACTIONS.
The more I read of the the laughingly termed War to End All Wars 1914-1918, And see in print the criminal actions of the Top Brass with their insane orders to the Front Line Troops the more angry I get, The orders sent from GHQ in most every action in this horrible conflict were in my opinion the actions of Mad Men and Murder on an industrial scale, And it is still going on today in the 21st Century Normal Men and Women being slaughtered maimed driven insane on the whims of Politicians Who in turn instruct the Mad Men to go To WAR, Then these Mad Men 35 to 40 miles Behind any front line one cares to mention order normal people to Murder in the name of WAR, And in the case of the War described in this excellent Book Ordered Men to Clamber out of Trenches into a muddy rat infested Stinking piece of Hell with Rotten corpses in full view barbed wire ahead of them and a Wall of Bullets hurtling towards them from 100yards away as soon as they appeared above the parapets and cannon shells bursting amongst them some the size of a house to be Honest I cannot for the life of me understand Why the Normal Men carried out the insane orders from GHQ,107 years ago Young Men were doing this we are now in the year 2021 War materiel and ordinance have advanced beyond belief one Missile could wipe out Britain a Couple could Destroy Continents and Young Men and Women are still being ordered to their Deaths and Loss of sight hearing speech arms legs FOR WHAT! We the Normal People must put a STOP TO ALL WARS as the Political Elite and Armed Forces HQs from all Nations are incapable or indifferent to the carnage caused by their INSANE ACTIONS.
Read
May 21, 2020I admit, I was hesitant to begin this book, a history of the 46th Canadian Infantry in the First World War, as so many military histories are dry, with chess pieces being moved in different formations, but this book was a pleasant surprise. It is very well-written and draws you into the story.
The authors include many accounts from the men themselves. This, and the writing, makes you feel you are there with them: the terror of the screaming shells, the brave forays into “no man’s land,” the going “over the top,” and, above all, the mud. Historical events such as the Russian Revolution and the entry of the United States are mentioned to put the battles in perspective.
The authors explain clearly the achievements of the various companies within the 46th and use techniques such as foreshadowing to keep the story quickly moving.
This unit fought in some of the worst battles of a terrible war: the Somme, Ypres, Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele, Amiens and others. All are explained clearly and memorably.
Due to the use of the words of the actual soldiers, you feel that you know them and mourn them if they die. The authors provide a list of those who survived, and what happened to them in later life. This book was originally published in 1978 and at that time veterans were still living and actually assisted the authors.
This book transports us to the battlefields of a sometimes forgotten war. A war which changed the world in many ways.
The authors include many accounts from the men themselves. This, and the writing, makes you feel you are there with them: the terror of the screaming shells, the brave forays into “no man’s land,” the going “over the top,” and, above all, the mud. Historical events such as the Russian Revolution and the entry of the United States are mentioned to put the battles in perspective.
The authors explain clearly the achievements of the various companies within the 46th and use techniques such as foreshadowing to keep the story quickly moving.
This unit fought in some of the worst battles of a terrible war: the Somme, Ypres, Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele, Amiens and others. All are explained clearly and memorably.
Due to the use of the words of the actual soldiers, you feel that you know them and mourn them if they die. The authors provide a list of those who survived, and what happened to them in later life. This book was originally published in 1978 and at that time veterans were still living and actually assisted the authors.
This book transports us to the battlefields of a sometimes forgotten war. A war which changed the world in many ways.
July 19, 2022
Some gave a lot many gave their all.
A well researched authoritative book that is meshed together with the views of many soldiers gleaned from their personal diaries written ‘illegally’ while in the theatre of war. Became boring in the middle of the book but quickly got back on track. Many interesting facts about very dreadful living conditions, sleeping in mud filled bomb craters, seeing their friends suddenly die, the sacrifice these men gave of their free will in defenses of Canada. I think this book, and others like it should be used to teach current and future students that the freedoms they enjoy today and hardly think about was earned through the sacrifices, commitment & blood of those Canadians who fought. May the men & women of Canada who gave their lives for the freedoms we have and enjoy Rest In Peace. Thank you all for your service !
A well researched authoritative book that is meshed together with the views of many soldiers gleaned from their personal diaries written ‘illegally’ while in the theatre of war. Became boring in the middle of the book but quickly got back on track. Many interesting facts about very dreadful living conditions, sleeping in mud filled bomb craters, seeing their friends suddenly die, the sacrifice these men gave of their free will in defenses of Canada. I think this book, and others like it should be used to teach current and future students that the freedoms they enjoy today and hardly think about was earned through the sacrifices, commitment & blood of those Canadians who fought. May the men & women of Canada who gave their lives for the freedoms we have and enjoy Rest In Peace. Thank you all for your service !
November 5, 2020
A great book to read at this time of year during the month of remembrance. The story follows the experiences of the CEF 46th infantry battalion from Saskatchewan from their early beginning at the outset of WWI through their deployment overseas and the many heroic and iconic battles they participated in. The stories are well written accounts of military operations with many (mostly) first hand accounts told by the men who were there which really adds to the authenticity of this overall account. The actual experience of these men can’t be imagined by those who weren’t there, but their stories are well told. Brave men and true heroes whom we must never forget for the sacrifices they made.
December 1, 2024
The horrors that these guys would have seen is immense & I have a lot of respect for them, to go out to France not knowing if you'd be back to your family they must have been scared witless. It would have been better with photographs but getting hold of them in the areas concerned would be like gold dust. It would be wrong of me to say I enjoyed the book but it's very informative, reading the stats given in the book it broke many hearts and left a lot of gaps in families. Plus is any wonder that some came back with mental scars as well as physical ones. I salute each and every single one of these soldiers much respect to you
May 27, 2020
This is the history of the 46th Canadian Infantry Battalion (known as the Suicide Battalion) from its formation in November 1914 to its demobilisation in Moose Jaw in 1919.
The story is told through the eyes of the soldiers, mainly the non commissioned ranks, so there is a real sense of what they experienced in battle, in the trenches, in their rest periods – the highs and, particularly, the lows. This is a fascinating history of a group of very brave men and their experiences in the war and I highly recommend it.
Thanks to Sapere Books for a review copy.
The story is told through the eyes of the soldiers, mainly the non commissioned ranks, so there is a real sense of what they experienced in battle, in the trenches, in their rest periods – the highs and, particularly, the lows. This is a fascinating history of a group of very brave men and their experiences in the war and I highly recommend it.
Thanks to Sapere Books for a review copy.
April 2, 2022
A gripping first hand account of the war
The account follows the men from the days before the war to going home in 1919. No matter how many books I read on this subject, not how well the writer conveys the experiences, it's still difficult to grasp not just the horror, but how men and women lived with it and through it. I'm eternally grateful that I have not had to fight in war, but as a historian, equally angered that the same politicians and power brokers now, have the same disregard for our generations as they did for my grandfather's and great grandfather's generation.
The account follows the men from the days before the war to going home in 1919. No matter how many books I read on this subject, not how well the writer conveys the experiences, it's still difficult to grasp not just the horror, but how men and women lived with it and through it. I'm eternally grateful that I have not had to fight in war, but as a historian, equally angered that the same politicians and power brokers now, have the same disregard for our generations as they did for my grandfather's and great grandfather's generation.
October 1, 2024
Books like this are often pretty hard to read. So much of it is utterly horrifying. Not sure how anybody could read a book like this and not be a pacifist afterwards. I'm always amazed at the casual ways that soldiers describe the horrible things that happen to them and their comrades. I think what stood out to me most in this book are the little moments of humour that these soldiers share in the midst of such tragedy. The human spirit remains unbroken.
May 31, 2020
Great book with first hand accounts - I highly recommend it if you’d like to know more what it must’ve been like to life through the atrocities- Yes it talks about 46th Battalion ( Saskatchewan)but it gives us glimpses of experiences by many soldiers during WW1 so if you’d like to know what great grandfathers went through read this book
September 7, 2020
Without a doubt this has been one of my favorite books. The 46th battalion the front line was their home. Read this book and find out why they got the name " The Suicide Battalion". Put yourself in the unit as they go over the wall and feel the battle. Most have passed on but they will never be forgotten Canada at its best a must read.
April 12, 2022
Suicide Battalion.
It is a shame that mankind has not learned from the failures and stupidity of warfare and of the failures of senior staff officers.
Least we Forget.
It is a shame that mankind has not learned from the failures and stupidity of warfare and of the failures of senior staff officers.
Least we Forget.
May 31, 2022
Great humanization of WWI
July 23, 2022
Amazing
We Americans rarely hear of the sacrifices of our neighbors in Canada. A heart-rending story of sacrifice and endurance. Amazing and awl inspiring.
We Americans rarely hear of the sacrifices of our neighbors in Canada. A heart-rending story of sacrifice and endurance. Amazing and awl inspiring.
July 1, 2020
I learned a lot about World War I by reading this book. It really told the story of what men endured during this war. I was written from the viewpoint of the enlisted men, no the officers. It was heartbreaking. This book is about the men from Canada. Well done.
November 27, 2020
History of a Canadian volunteer infantry brigade mustered at the beginning of the second world war, who were engaged in some of the fiercest fights and horrific experiences of the war. My takeaway was about the disorganization and weakness of leadership, which cost untold lives. But as in business, you don't have to be perfect, you just have to be better than the other guys...
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews