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Advisory Panel
Originally Posted by
Paul S.
the gas attack took place in 1915 and not 100 years ago (1914)
A technical point of course. We round figures in discussions about this sort of thing all the time. We mean no detraction from the heroes that fell or survived. Both my regiments of service were in these battles. We had it on our battle honors...
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04-28-2014 09:49 PM
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Contributing Member
Jim,
You certainly did mate and what a contribution Canadian troops made then and now
'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA
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Thank You to Gil Boyd For This Useful Post:
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Legacy Member
Originally Posted by
Gil Boyd
Jim,
You certainly did mate and what a contribution
Canadian troops made then and now
Indeed. 15th Battalion CEF (48th Highlanders) were adjacent to the French Colonials in the Ypres line when the gas attack came. The French Colonials broke and ran. Then Highlanders held the line and paid dearly in blood - 70 per cent casualties according to most historical reports.
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Advisory Panel
Also the 16th which was my second unit. They stood fast during the attack in Kitchener's woods beside the 10th Calgary.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kitcheners'_Wood
My first unit, P.P.C.L.I. was also gassed on several occasions... www.canadiansoldiers.com
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Legacy Member
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Contributing Member
63,322 casualties. When I visit, as often I do the Canadian War Memorial over there, I meet the kids that are seconded there, who undergo a fairly stiff knowledge test to get a placement, which makes me wonder a number of things that we Brits take for granted and I don't mean to generalise.
I watch the Firemen every night at 8pm exactly playing last post at the Menin Gate in Ypres as well, and wonder why?............we Brits do nothing of the like anywhere, except on one day of the year 11th November. Perhaps I know the answer before asking......
Hope this link helps to confirm Canadian losses for you, what a sacrifice
World War I Canadian Dead - Canada at War
BE PROUD, BE VERY PROUD LEST WE FORGET
Last edited by Gil Boyd; 04-30-2014 at 07:16 AM.
'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA
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Advisory Panel
Originally Posted by
Gil Boyd
Brits do nothing of the like anywhere
You ain't the only ones my brother...I went to work one day ten years ago and wished a co-worker a "Happy Vimy ridge day" and she looked at me and said"What's that?"..."What's Vimy ridge?"...I guess the look was right because she started stuttering and apologizing right away. What would you expect though? She was only in her 30's...for f*ck sakes!
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Contributing Member
Jim,
One spot, Hell Corner on the ridge, a spot where the two opposing trenches are no more than 40 feet apart, with a concreted pill box on both sides with a slit, and from there they used to chuck grenades at each other...............unbelieveable
'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA
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Advisory Panel
A spot noted in virtually everyone's regimental history, if their unit was there.
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Legacy Member
I have read a few accounts of Canadian units during the first German gas attack in Ypres. One Canadian who was there said, "We were green as grass. If we had known anything about war we would have run as well. They told us to stay where we were and stay we did."
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