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Gas attack!: The Canadians at Ypres, 1915
38 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
6 people want to read
About the author
Norm Christie
21 books4 followersNorm Christie is the Canadian author of a number of historical books about the Canadians in WWI. He worked for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in England (1990-1993) and in France (1993-1996).
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
September 30, 2022
This book, written in 2002, is the first in the Access to History; The Canadian History Series, published by CEF books. The book seems targeted at older children or adults not immersed in war or battle lexicon. Although the language is clear, it is not simplified and the life, death and brutal issues of war are not hidden. The entire book is only 50 pages including appendices, some very good war art and some excellent maps credited to Constable Enterprises, Stittsville, ON. The book describes the “Second Battle of Ypres,” 22-26, April 1915, the first time gas was used on the western front in the Great War.
Christie gives a quick history of chemicals (gas) in war. The Germans tried it in Russia, prior to this with indeterminate results due to poor winds and separated clusters of enemy troops. In this battle, on the 22nd, the Germans use a cloud of chlorine gas about 700 meters wide and 1000 meters deep that attacks French troops just to the left of the Canadians. The French widely desert and run towards Ypres leaving a gap about 12 kilometers wide totally exposing the Canadian flank. The Germans, complete with gas masks, come forward to the Canadian and abandoned French trenches. The Canadians extend and turn their flank, but they are very thin. The French trench begins to be covered by a Canadian field battery and a number of small Canadian units are directed to the French trenches including a 60 man unit with a machine gun that is directed to protect the field battery as long as possible and ensure that it can get away. Although there are nowhere near enough troops to stop the Germans, the Germans began their attack late in the day and darkness stops their forward motion.
The Canadians remain on their own and their reinforcements fight a confusing battle the night of the 22nd/23rd in Kitchener’s Wood and a bitter battle against sited machine guns on Mauser Ridge on the 23rd. On the 24th, the Germans use gas again, this time directly at the Canadians. A nasty, vicious fight occurs, and the Germans are able to move forward as far as Gravenstafel Ridge where the Canadians have built a second line to stop them. Many Canadians with visual and respiratory wounds are taken prisoner. The previous French line and the left of the Canadian line has been pushed back five kilometers; the remainder of the Canadian line is moved back in alignment to ensure it cannot be attacked from the rear.
This is not a dry facts and figures history book; nor is it a war and glory heroic. It is written by an author passionate about Canadian soldiers’ stories. It might be hard in places; however, you will not want to put it down because it is so interesting. There are a lot of visuals and quotes, and they all add to the story. My only possible quibble is the page of soldier slang. In the entire page of slang, there is not one hint that soldiers might have sworn or used crude language. Even SFA is interpreted as: “It doesn’t matter, makes no difference.”
This is a good book that should be in every house with teens. Four stars.
Christie gives a quick history of chemicals (gas) in war. The Germans tried it in Russia, prior to this with indeterminate results due to poor winds and separated clusters of enemy troops. In this battle, on the 22nd, the Germans use a cloud of chlorine gas about 700 meters wide and 1000 meters deep that attacks French troops just to the left of the Canadians. The French widely desert and run towards Ypres leaving a gap about 12 kilometers wide totally exposing the Canadian flank. The Germans, complete with gas masks, come forward to the Canadian and abandoned French trenches. The Canadians extend and turn their flank, but they are very thin. The French trench begins to be covered by a Canadian field battery and a number of small Canadian units are directed to the French trenches including a 60 man unit with a machine gun that is directed to protect the field battery as long as possible and ensure that it can get away. Although there are nowhere near enough troops to stop the Germans, the Germans began their attack late in the day and darkness stops their forward motion.
The Canadians remain on their own and their reinforcements fight a confusing battle the night of the 22nd/23rd in Kitchener’s Wood and a bitter battle against sited machine guns on Mauser Ridge on the 23rd. On the 24th, the Germans use gas again, this time directly at the Canadians. A nasty, vicious fight occurs, and the Germans are able to move forward as far as Gravenstafel Ridge where the Canadians have built a second line to stop them. Many Canadians with visual and respiratory wounds are taken prisoner. The previous French line and the left of the Canadian line has been pushed back five kilometers; the remainder of the Canadian line is moved back in alignment to ensure it cannot be attacked from the rear.
This is not a dry facts and figures history book; nor is it a war and glory heroic. It is written by an author passionate about Canadian soldiers’ stories. It might be hard in places; however, you will not want to put it down because it is so interesting. There are a lot of visuals and quotes, and they all add to the story. My only possible quibble is the page of soldier slang. In the entire page of slang, there is not one hint that soldiers might have sworn or used crude language. Even SFA is interpreted as: “It doesn’t matter, makes no difference.”
This is a good book that should be in every house with teens. Four stars.
Displaying 1 of 1 review