The Battle of the Somme/Vimy Ridge/Arthur Currie Flashcards
(29 cards)
Why were the Newfoundlanders fighting only in British units during WWI?
Still a British colony
Why did the British launch the assault on the Somme River Valley?
Relieve the pressure at Verdun and help French recover from German assault
Who commanded Canadian corps during the Battle of the Somme?
General Douglas Haig
Why was the general criticized because of the Battle of the Somme?
He relentlessly ordered Canadian troops to continue attacking despite immense casualties. Hardly any ground was captured.
On what holiday in 1917 did the battle of Vimy Ridge begin?
Easter
Before the Canadian attack on Vimy Ridge, which nations had attempted to push out the Germans without success?
France and Britain
Who commanded Canadian divisions during Vimy Ridge?
Lieutenant General Julian Byng
In preparation for Vimy Ridge, who was sent to the Somme to learn what had gone wrong in that battle? What did he figure out?
Arthur Currie. The men were not informed of where to go and what to do. They were devastated by machine guns
How did the Lewis machine gun differ from the German Maxim?
Had less range but were great for trench warfare. Light and mobile. Shot in controlled bursts
Canadian raids resulted in the capture of ______, that allowed the Allies to create a ______ to help them in the battle.
German prisoners, model of the battlefield
Before the battle for Vimy Ridge began, what did Canadians use to take out German artillery guns?
Air reconaissance
What is shrapnel?
Bits of metal from exploding shells, used to effectively injure soldiers
What is the creeping barrage used in the battle for Vimy Ridge? In what directions could it move?
Artillery slowly moving forward laying down explosions. Followed by infantry hidden from sight. All directions (front, side, back)
How fast was the “Vimy glide”?
100 metres in 3 minutes
What was the significance of tunnels in Vimy Ridge?
Let troops get to front lines safely
How did the Nova Scotia Highlanders help out? Why was it surprising coming from these men?
They rushed the heavily defended hill and took it. They had no combat experience.
Why was the battle of Vimy Ridge insignificant to the outcome of the war?
It did not help to end the war. The loss of ground did not mean much to the German army.
What job did Julian Byng take after the war?
Governor General of Canada
What was the relationship between Arthur Currie and Sam Hughes?
Currie was a friend of Hughe’s son.
What was the motive behind Sam Hughes attacking Currie in the House of Commons?
Denied Hughe’s son the chance to command in France because he misinterpreted orders in an earlier battle
What is a chateau general? Was Currie considered one?
A general who gives orders from behind the lines. Currie was not, he was always at the front line
Why was Currie considered an unconventional general?
Inadequately trained, open to ideas from subordinates
When Currie prepares for battle, what does he discover about the British maps?
Useless–mislabeled locations, north pointed down
What are some preparations that Currie made for Vimy Ridge?
Pipeline for water, tunnels, roads repaired
