day 36 ypres to the somme. fritz haber and his colleague albert einstein at the kaiser wilhelm...

DAY 36 DAY 36

YPRES TO THE SOMMEYPRES TO THE SOMME

FRITZ HABER AND HIS COLLEAGUEALBERT EINSTEIN AT THE KAISERWILHELM INSTITUTE IN BERLIN. TODAYTHE INSTITUTE IS NAMED AFTER HIM

HE WAS GIVEN RANK OF CAPT FOR HIS AID TO GERMAN WAR EFFORT.

IN 1918 HE WINS NOBEL PRIZE FOR CHEMISTRY

HE CONVERTS FROM JUDAISM TOCHRISTIANITY AS NAZIS RISING IN POWER, BUT WAS STILL FORCEDTO FLEE GERMANY BEFORE WWII.

IRONICALLY HIS WORK LED TO DEVELOPMENT OF ZYKLON B AS A DELOUSING AGENT

CHLORINE GAS CLOUD BEING RELEASED ON THE ALLIED POSITION

EARLY GAS WARNING SYSTEMS INCLUDING THE GAS SIREN, AND THE GAS RATTLE

A VICTIM OF MUSTARD GAS

HERE AN ENTIRE TRENCH IS LITTEREDWITH DEAD AFTER CHLORINE GAS

Canadian Soldier in a front line Trench. Conditions like this led To many diseases Trench foot being the most common early on.

The effects of trench foot. It resembles severe frostbite.

AFTER YPRES FESTUBERT AND GIVENCY. AFTER YPRES FESTUBERT AND GIVENCY. STILL IN FLANDERS.STILL IN FLANDERS.

MAY 23-24 ATTACKED GERMAN POSITIONS MAY 23-24 ATTACKED GERMAN POSITIONS AT FESTUBERT. 2500 CASUALTIES.AT FESTUBERT. 2500 CASUALTIES.

JUNE ATTACKED AGAIN AT GIVENCY 500 JUNE ATTACKED AGAIN AT GIVENCY 500 MORE.MORE.

TRENCH WASTAGETRENCH WASTAGE

CANADIANS LED POORLY. OFFICERS CANADIANS LED POORLY. OFFICERS (HUGHES OR DOLLAR MAGNATES(HUGHES OR DOLLAR MAGNATES

ATTACKED USING BR. STYLE. ATTACKED USING BR. STYLE.

AT THIS TIME ALDERSON AND FRENCH AT THIS TIME ALDERSON AND FRENCH FINALLY DECIDE ROSS RIFLE NEEDS TO BE FINALLY DECIDE ROSS RIFLE NEEDS TO BE REPLACEDREPLACED

FALL OF 1915 CDN 2FALL OF 1915 CDN 2NDND DIV ARRIVES. HUGHES DIV ARRIVES. HUGHES WANTS A CORPS (HIM TO COMMAND)WANTS A CORPS (HIM TO COMMAND)

FRENCH AGREES, GETS DOUGLAS HAIG TO FRENCH AGREES, GETS DOUGLAS HAIG TO CREATE CREATE

ALDERSON PROMOTED, AS WAS CURRIEALDERSON PROMOTED, AS WAS CURRIE

SAM HUGHES KNIGHTED INSTEADSAM HUGHES KNIGHTED INSTEAD

KNIGHTED BECAUSE OF MAX AITKEN AND KNIGHTED BECAUSE OF MAX AITKEN AND BONAR LAW.BONAR LAW.

HUGHES CAREER IS ON DECLINE THOUGH HUGHES CAREER IS ON DECLINE THOUGH WITH SCANDAL OVER APPOINTMENTS, WAR WITH SCANDAL OVER APPOINTMENTS, WAR PROFITS ETCPROFITS ETC

FRONT LINE TOUR FOR HUGHES?FRONT LINE TOUR FOR HUGHES?

ANDREW BONAR LAW, THE ONLYBRITISH PRIME MINISTER BORNOUTSIDE OF THE UK. HE WAS FROMNB.

MOVED TO SCOTLAND AT 12 WHENAUNT (HE WAS LIVING WITH HERSINCE HIS OWN MOTHER’S DEATH)WENT BACK TO SCOTLAND

HE WAS ELECTED TO PARLIAMENT IN 1900, AND LED THE PARTY AFTER RESIGNATION OF CHAMBERLAIN

PRIME MINISTER 1922-1923

MAX AITKEN JR AND SR. WHILE BORN IN ONTARIO AITKEN GREW UP INNEW BRUNSWICK. MADE A FORTUNE IN PUBLISHING AND BECAME LORDBEAVERBROOK IN BRITAIN. HE LATER SERVED AS A MINISTER TO CHURCHILL.

A MUCH YOUNGER SAM HUGHES AND CHARLES ROSS’ FACTORYFOR THE ROSS RIFLE

HUGHES WANTS GARNET FOR 2HUGHES WANTS GARNET FOR 2NDND BRIGADE BRIGADE

AITKEN LEAKS TO PRESS THAT ALDERSON AITKEN LEAKS TO PRESS THAT ALDERSON WANTSWANTS

ALDERSON DENIESALDERSON DENIES

AITKEN WARNS ALDERSONAITKEN WARNS ALDERSON

CDN CORPS WINTERS IN FLANDERS, CDN CORPS WINTERS IN FLANDERS, CONDITIONS HORRIBLECONDITIONS HORRIBLE

BORED SO INVENT TRENCH WARFARE (VICTOR BORED SO INVENT TRENCH WARFARE (VICTOR ODLUM GENERAL PEA SOUP) ODLUM GENERAL PEA SOUP)

GAIN REPUTATION FOR RAIDERS. HARD GAIN REPUTATION FOR RAIDERS. HARD EARNED, 5000 CASUALTIES. MANY FROM EARNED, 5000 CASUALTIES. MANY FROM WEATHER TOO.WEATHER TOO.

APRIL 1916 BATTLE OF ST. LOI CRATERS.APRIL 1916 BATTLE OF ST. LOI CRATERS.

MARCH 1916 BR EXPLODE HUGE MINES UNDER MARCH 1916 BR EXPLODE HUGE MINES UNDER GERMAN LINES. KILLS HUNDREDS, BUT GERMAN LINES. KILLS HUNDREDS, BUT STRONGHOLDSSTRONGHOLDS

BR. DIVISION THAT TAKES THEM SUFFERS HUGE BR. DIVISION THAT TAKES THEM SUFFERS HUGE CASUALTIES.CASUALTIES.

CDN 2ND DIV RELIEVE BR. BAPTISM OF FIRE CDN 2ND DIV RELIEVE BR. BAPTISM OF FIRE WHEN THE COUNTERATTACK FROM GER WHEN THE COUNTERATTACK FROM GER ARRIVES.ARRIVES.

CDNS PUSHED OUT (GER MINE) 1500 DEAD OR CDNS PUSHED OUT (GER MINE) 1500 DEAD OR MIAMIA

CDN SOLDIERS FIGHT WELL, POORLY LEDCDN SOLDIERS FIGHT WELL, POORLY LED

HAIG FIRES ALDERSON (HUGHES) REPLACES HAIG FIRES ALDERSON (HUGHES) REPLACES WITH JULIEN BYNG (GALLIPOLI)WITH JULIEN BYNG (GALLIPOLI)

THIS IS THE BATTLEGROUND OF ST ELOI. NOTE THE CRATERS BUT ALSOTHE FLAT LAND WITH LITTLE COVER OVER WHICH THE CDNS HAD TO ATTACK

JUNE 1916 CDN 3JUNE 1916 CDN 3RDRD DIV ON MOUNT DIV ON MOUNT SORREL. ONLY HIGH GROUND IN SECTORSORREL. ONLY HIGH GROUND IN SECTOR

JUNE 2ND, GERMANS EXPLODE 4 HUGE JUNE 2ND, GERMANS EXPLODE 4 HUGE MINES UNDER CDN POSITION. HUNDREDS MINES UNDER CDN POSITION. HUNDREDS KILLEDKILLED

4TH CDN MOUNTED RIFLES LOSE ALL BUT 4TH CDN MOUNTED RIFLES LOSE ALL BUT 76 OUT OF 701 MEN.76 OUT OF 701 MEN.

CDN PUSHED OFF THE RIDGE.CDN PUSHED OFF THE RIDGE.

GERMANS NOW BREECH CDN LINE BY 1200 GERMANS NOW BREECH CDN LINE BY 1200 METERS AND ARE WITHIN TWO MILES OF METERS AND ARE WITHIN TWO MILES OF THE CITY OF YPRES THE CITY OF YPRES

DOUGLAS HAIG NOW COMMANDS BR TROOPS. FEELS DOUGLAS HAIG NOW COMMANDS BR TROOPS. FEELS CDNS MAY HAVE BEEN OVERRATEDCDNS MAY HAVE BEEN OVERRATED

BYNG ORDERED TO RETAKE, LETS CURRIE PLAN THE BYNG ORDERED TO RETAKE, LETS CURRIE PLAN THE OPERATIONOPERATION

NEW PLAN. NEW PLAN.

REHEARSEREHEARSE

KNOW LANDKNOW LAND

OBJECTIVES THREE LEVELS UPOBJECTIVES THREE LEVELS UP

MAPS, MAPS,

AERIAL RECON AERIAL RECON

NEW ARTILLERY TACTIC. INTERMITTENT BARRAGENEW ARTILLERY TACTIC. INTERMITTENT BARRAGE

TAKE BACK POSITION IN ONE HOURTAKE BACK POSITION IN ONE HOUR

AFTER BATTLE ROSS FINALLY SCRAPPED BY AFTER BATTLE ROSS FINALLY SCRAPPED BY ALL FRONT LINE CDN TROOPSALL FRONT LINE CDN TROOPS

CDNS DESTROYED RIFLE TO PREVENT ITS CDNS DESTROYED RIFLE TO PREVENT ITS RETURNRETURN

1917 CHARLES ROSS LOST HONORARY 1917 CHARLES ROSS LOST HONORARY COLONELCY THE FACTORY IN QUEBEC WAS COLONELCY THE FACTORY IN QUEBEC WAS APPROPRIATEDAPPROPRIATED

THIS HURT HUGHES POLITICAL CAREER AS DID THIS HURT HUGHES POLITICAL CAREER AS DID WAR PROFITEERING SCANDAL OF 1916-1917WAR PROFITEERING SCANDAL OF 1916-1917

STILL WANTED TO LEAD THE MENSTILL WANTED TO LEAD THE MEN

BY NOW BORDEN TIRING OF HUGHES AND BY NOW BORDEN TIRING OF HUGHES AND “ACCEPTS” HIS RESIGNATION“ACCEPTS” HIS RESIGNATION

HUGHES STAYED ON IN OTTAWA AS MP UNTIL HUGHES STAYED ON IN OTTAWA AS MP UNTIL HIS DEATH IN 1921HIS DEATH IN 1921

GERMAN POSITIONS AT MONT SORREL

AERIAL SHOT OF MONT SORREL

TOWARD THE SOMMETOWARD THE SOMME ALLIED PLAN FOR 1916 WAS TO BREAK THE ALLIED PLAN FOR 1916 WAS TO BREAK THE

GERMAN BACK AT THE SOMMEGERMAN BACK AT THE SOMME

JOINT FRENCH ENGLISH ATTACKJOINT FRENCH ENGLISH ATTACK

WOULD START IN SPRING AND WIN WAR BY WOULD START IN SPRING AND WIN WAR BY END OF 1916END OF 1916

GERMANS HAD OWN PLANSGERMANS HAD OWN PLANS

VON FALKENHAYN KNEW OF IMPENDING VON FALKENHAYN KNEW OF IMPENDING ATTACK SO LAUNCHED OWN OFFENSIVE IN ATTACK SO LAUNCHED OWN OFFENSIVE IN FEBRUARY AT VERDUNFEBRUARY AT VERDUN

SIR DOUGLAS HAIG, SUPREMEBRITISH COMMANDER DURINGWORLD WAR I.

HE HAD SUCH LOVELY PLANS ASTHE SOMME, PASCHENDALE,AND THE SECOND BATTLE OFMONS.

WOULD HAVE BEEN FIRED IN 1918IF NOT SO WELL CONNECTED. HISREPLACEMENT WOULD HAVE BEENCURRIE

ERICH VON FALKENHAYN. SUPREMECOMMANDER OF THE GERMAN ARMY INTHE WEST FROM 1914 UNTIL 1916.

REPLACED VON MOLTKE AFTER THE FAILURE OF THE GERMANS AT THE MARNE.

HE WAS REPLACED AFTER THE FAILUREOF VERDUN.

VERDUN ANCIENT FORT CITY (NEVER FALLEN) VERDUN ANCIENT FORT CITY (NEVER FALLEN)

NOT TACTICAL ANYMORE AS NO GUNS, BUT SYMBOL NOT TACTICAL ANYMORE AS NO GUNS, BUT SYMBOL OF FRENCH MIGHT.OF FRENCH MIGHT.

FALKENHAYN THOUGHT FRENCH WOULD DEFEND TO FALKENHAYN THOUGHT FRENCH WOULD DEFEND TO END. BLEED THEMEND. BLEED THEM

IF VERDUN FELL FR MORAL WOULD PLUMMET IF VERDUN FELL FR MORAL WOULD PLUMMET

DEGENERATES INTO BATTLE OF ATTRITIONDEGENERATES INTO BATTLE OF ATTRITION

AT THE HEIGHT, LOOKED LIKE GER WOULD WIN, AT THE HEIGHT, LOOKED LIKE GER WOULD WIN, UNTIL MARSHALL PETAIN AND THE SACRED WAYUNTIL MARSHALL PETAIN AND THE SACRED WAY

FRANCE PLEAS FOR BR HELP. OPEN THE SOMME TO FRANCE PLEAS FOR BR HELP. OPEN THE SOMME TO RELIEVE PRESSURERELIEVE PRESSURE

JULY 1ST SET FOR THE OPENING OF THE NOW JULY 1ST SET FOR THE OPENING OF THE NOW MOSTLY BR. ATTACKMOSTLY BR. ATTACK

AERIAL SHOT OF THE CITY OF VERDUN. NOTE AGAIN THE SHELLHOLES AND DESTRUCTION. YOU CAN ALSO SEE ZIG ZAG TRENCHLINE AND RINGED DEFENSE OF THE TOWN.

FRENCH TRENCH LINE AT VERDUN

NOTE THE FAMILIARITY WITHDEATH.

THE TOWN OF VERDUN SHOWINGTHE SACRED WAY… OR AS BARTLETT SAYS “LA VOIE SACREE”

AT THE SOMME, HAIG MAKES ALL THE MISTAKES HE HAS AT THE SOMME, HAIG MAKES ALL THE MISTAKES HE HAS MADE SINCE THE WAR BEGAN. TACTICS OLD, OUTDATED MADE SINCE THE WAR BEGAN. TACTICS OLD, OUTDATED AND DID NOT WORK.AND DID NOT WORK.

EVERY AVAILABLE BR. GUN TO SMASH DEFENCES EVERY AVAILABLE BR. GUN TO SMASH DEFENCES (LONDON)(LONDON)

KILL GERMAN DEFENDERS AND BREAK UP BARBED WIRE KILL GERMAN DEFENDERS AND BREAK UP BARBED WIRE

EASY STROLL FOR THE MEN. LOADS THEM TO THE HILT. EASY STROLL FOR THE MEN. LOADS THEM TO THE HILT.

75 POUND KIT TO STROLL WITH (COLOURED DISCS TO 75 POUND KIT TO STROLL WITH (COLOURED DISCS TO SHOW ADVANCE)SHOW ADVANCE)

TIGHT FORMATION FIVE YARDS BETWEEN MEN.TIGHT FORMATION FIVE YARDS BETWEEN MEN.

HAIG ACTUALLY UTILIZED CAVALRY AND THOUGHT HAIG ACTUALLY UTILIZED CAVALRY AND THOUGHT HORSES WOULD SWEEP TO BERLINHORSES WOULD SWEEP TO BERLIN

SURPRISINGLY THE OLD FAILED TACTICS FAILED AGAIN. SURPRISINGLY THE OLD FAILED TACTICS FAILED AGAIN. GERMANS IN FACT KNEW ATTACK COMING. GERMANS IN FACT KNEW ATTACK COMING.

DUG OUT KEPT DEFENDERS SAFE UNTIL LAUNCH OF DUG OUT KEPT DEFENDERS SAFE UNTIL LAUNCH OF ATTACKATTACK

BARBED WIRE SPRINGY SO EXPLODES GOES UP BUT DOES BARBED WIRE SPRINGY SO EXPLODES GOES UP BUT DOES NOT BREAK OPEN AND BR DON’T USE PROPER FUSE NOT BREAK OPEN AND BR DON’T USE PROPER FUSE SHELLSSHELLS

CANADA NOT HERE IN JULYCANADA NOT HERE IN JULY

NFLD WAS. REMEMBER NOT PART OF CANADA NFLD WAS. REMEMBER NOT PART OF CANADA IN WWI OR WWIIIN WWI OR WWII

NFLD REGIMENT OF 1000 MENNFLD REGIMENT OF 1000 MEN

ATTACHED TO THE BR 29TH DIVISION. ATTACHED TO THE BR 29TH DIVISION.

ASSIGNED TO THE SECOND WAVE ON JULY ASSIGNED TO THE SECOND WAVE ON JULY FIRST. ATTACKING IN BROAD DAYLIGHT, SO IF FIRST. ATTACKING IN BROAD DAYLIGHT, SO IF ANYTHING WENT WRONG WITH ANYTHING WENT WRONG WITH BOMBARDMENT THEY WERE SCREWED.BOMBARDMENT THEY WERE SCREWED.

THEY ATTACKED AT BEAUMONT HAMELTHEY ATTACKED AT BEAUMONT HAMEL

7:20 AM ATTACK STARTS, MINE EXPLOSIONS7:20 AM ATTACK STARTS, MINE EXPLOSIONS

GERMANS IN BUNKERS, ARTILLERY NOT GERMANS IN BUNKERS, ARTILLERY NOT EFFECTIVEEFFECTIVE

BARBED WIRE NOT CUT, SO KILLING ZONES BARBED WIRE NOT CUT, SO KILLING ZONES CREATED WHERE BR CUT THEIR OWN. CREATED WHERE BR CUT THEIR OWN. WOUNDED STRAGGLING BACKWOUNDED STRAGGLING BACK

NFLD AND REST OF SECOND WAVE CANNOT NFLD AND REST OF SECOND WAVE CANNOT REACH FRONT TRENCH BECAUSE OF REACH FRONT TRENCH BECAUSE OF CONGESTION SO FORCED OVER THE TOP CONGESTION SO FORCED OVER THE TOP 230M BEHIND. MUST NOW TRAVEL OVER 230M BEHIND. MUST NOW TRAVEL OVER 750M IN OPEN BROAD DAYLIGHT FRONTAL 750M IN OPEN BROAD DAYLIGHT FRONTAL ASSAULT.ASSAULT.

ORDERED TO MARCH IN TIGHT FORMATION ORDERED TO MARCH IN TIGHT FORMATION CUT DOWN BY GERMANS AS ONLY ALLIED CUT DOWN BY GERMANS AS ONLY ALLIED FORCE ON THE MOVE IN THE ENTIRE FORCE ON THE MOVE IN THE ENTIRE SECTORSECTOR

AFTER ATTACK ONLY 68 NFLD NOT AFTER ATTACK ONLY 68 NFLD NOT SERIOUSLY WOUNDED AND ABLE TO SERIOUSLY WOUNDED AND ABLE TO ANSWER ROLLANSWER ROLL

JULY 1ST BLOODIEST DAY IN BR HISTORY. OVER JULY 1ST BLOODIEST DAY IN BR HISTORY. OVER 58000 CASUALTIES.58000 CASUALTIES.

HAIG CALLS IT A SET BACK AND CONTINUES HAIG CALLS IT A SET BACK AND CONTINUES OFFENSIVE THE NEXT DAY, AND FOR FIVE MONTHS.OFFENSIVE THE NEXT DAY, AND FOR FIVE MONTHS.

FOR NFLD TRAGEDY. JULY 1ST IS LIKE FOR NFLD TRAGEDY. JULY 1ST IS LIKE REMEMBRANCE DAY ON THE ROCK. FORGET ME REMEMBRANCE DAY ON THE ROCK. FORGET ME NOTSNOTS

1918 ROYAL NFLD REGIMENT BY GEORGE V1918 ROYAL NFLD REGIMENT BY GEORGE V

SEPTEMBER THE CANADIANS ARRIVE ON THE SEPTEMBER THE CANADIANS ARRIVE ON THE SOMMESOMME

SEPT 15 1ST DIV POZIERRES RIDGESEPT 15 1ST DIV POZIERRES RIDGE

2ND AT COURCELETTE2ND AT COURCELETTE

3RD FABECK TRENCH3RD FABECK TRENCH

AS SEPTEMBER PASSED RAIN AND MUD ON AS SEPTEMBER PASSED RAIN AND MUD ON THE SOMMETHE SOMME

BY NOVEMBER REGINA TRENCH CAPTURED. BY NOVEMBER REGINA TRENCH CAPTURED.

END OF NOVEMBER SOMME OFFENSIVE END OF NOVEMBER SOMME OFFENSIVE ENDS. ENDS.

CANADIANS SUFFERED 25,000 CASUALTIES CANADIANS SUFFERED 25,000 CASUALTIES FROM SEPT TO NOVEMBER (REMEMBER NOT FROM SEPT TO NOVEMBER (REMEMBER NOT REALLY “INVOLVED”)REALLY “INVOLVED”)

ALLIES IN GENERAL OVER 600 000 ALL FOR ALLIES IN GENERAL OVER 600 000 ALL FOR 10 KM OF LAND.10 KM OF LAND.

LITTLE STRATEGIC SUCCESS.LITTLE STRATEGIC SUCCESS.

ALL FOUR CDN DIVISIONS NOW LEAVE ALL FOUR CDN DIVISIONS NOW LEAVE SOMME AND CONCENTRATE OPPOSITE VIMY SOMME AND CONCENTRATE OPPOSITE VIMY

BEAUMONT HAMEL BEAUMONT HAMEL BATTLEFIELDBATTLEFIELD

THE MONUMENT TO THE FALLEN AT BEAUMONT HAMEL. NAMES OF THE LOST APPEAR HERE.

ABOVE PICTURE SHOWS THE REMNANTS OF THE NFLD TRENCH LINE.

BELOW IS THE BATTLEFIELD TODAY. STILL POCKMARKED 90 YEARS LATER

THE FAMOUS TREE FROM BEAUMONTHAMEL. THIS IS THE FURTHEST POINTREACHED BY THE NFLD REGIMENT.

BODY OF ONE DEAD NFLDer WAS HERE

"It was a magnificent display of trained and disciplined valour, and its assault only failed of success because dead men can advance no further."- Major-General Sir Beauvoir de Lisle, Commander of the 29th British Division, reporting on the efforts of the 1st Newfoundland Regiment.

TRENCH LINE FROM 1917.

THIS IS NEAR THE BR LINESSPECIFICALLY NEXT TO THE AID STATION.

TOP LEFT: WOUNDED NFLDSOLDIER RETURNING FROM BEAUMONT HAMEL.

LEFT: NFLD TRENCH LINE

TOP RIGHT: EXPLOSION OF HAWTHORNE RIDGE STARTINGTHE SOMME

YouTube - Mine Explosion

YouTube - Battle of the Somme - YouTube - Battle of the Somme - Real FootageReal Footage

YouTube - BEAUMONT HAMELYouTube - BEAUMONT HAMEL

THE CEMETERY THE CEMETERY

CANADIANS AT THE CANADIANS AT THE SOMMESOMME

POZIERE RIDGE

BATTLE TO SOLIDIFYTHE BRITISH LINESAND ELIMINATE A SALIENT.

CANADIANS TENDING THE WOUNDED AT COURCELETTE.

THE FIRST PICTURE OF A TANK GOING INTO BATTLE AT COURCELETTE. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A MATILDA MARK I

AERIAL SHOT OF REGINA TRENCH. FIGHTING ALONGSIDE THE CDNS HERE WAS A BRITISH UNIT THAT INCLUDED JOHN TOLKIEN.