Battle of Ypres– Paved Canadian Indepence

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Throughout World War I, Canadians had fulfilled each and every task given to them with courage, dedication, and bravery. There were many important moments during this time which began shaping Canada’s identity. However, the Battle of Ypres played a powerful and significant role in establishing who we were as Canadians. The Battle of Ypres was a defense against the German army invading the last piece of Belgium soil which began in April 1915. When the Germans had used a new technology called chlorine gas, the French soldiers fighting alongside Canadians ran away. Despite being surrounded on three sides, gassed, and outnumbered, Canadians successfully defended the territory until reinforcements arrived to support them (however Ypres was intensely damaged). Canada was remarked as brave, honourable, and amazing fighters for their effort in the Battle of Ypres. The Edmonton Bulletin had posted two articles with the titles of “Canadians Lose Lives From Poisonous Gas” and “Canadians Are Reported To Be Fighting Again”. These two articles correlate to each other as it proves that even when Canadian soldiers are losing many lives due to chlorine gas, they still are continuously fighting and giving it the best they can. This displays their dedication and willpower to keep fighting until they emerge victorious. The Battle of Ypres also gave birth to the famous poem of “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae (a doctor whose close friend Alexis Helmer died as a result of this battle). This Canadian-written poem furthermore introduced the poppy as the international symbol of remembrance (as poppies grew around the graves of the fallen soldiers of this battle). “In Flanders fields the poppies grow/Between the crosses, row on row” (1-2) . Relating ...

... middle of paper ...

...art in, it only paved the way for Canada’s military to get stronger and more independent from Britain’s control. This battle was the starting point of Canada’s identity.

Works Cited

Werner, Willy. In Flanders Fields... A painting by Willy Werner. Digital image 1922. Web. 19 Mar 2014 .

Canadians Lose Lives From Poisonous Gas / Canadians Are Reported To Be Fighting Again. Edmonton Daily Bulletin, April 28 , 1915. 1915: 1-2, Print.

McCrae, John. “In Flanders Fields” Veterans Affairs Canada. 14-03-2014. Web. 20-03-2014

Cook, Tim. No place to run. Vancouver: UBC Press, 1999. Print.

Unknown. "Ypres 1915 - Canada And The First World War - History - Veterans Affairs Canada." Veterans Affairs Canada, 2014. Web. 21 Mar 2014. .

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