The Second Battle of Ypres Part 1
The battle of Ypres took place near the town of Ypres (pronounced Ip) in Belgiunm on the border of France, primarily during the month of April, most importantly from the 22 of April to the 24th. The battle and itās postion were important to the Allies as the town of Ypres provided a defensive postion for French ports on the English Channel (supplies for Allied troops), it was also the first major attack on the Western Front as previously the Central Powers has been centering attacks on Russia. Though Germany was now invested in the Schlieffen Plan (Plan to attack France by going through Belgium)
Ā This battle is lorded, often by the uninformed, as the first time gas was used in the First World War (and some would foolishly say in history), this is however, incorrect as before the First World War gas had been used in the Napoleonic wars of 1812, and in colonioal squirmishes (such as in Africa). Furthermore, the French were actually some of the first to use gas in the First World War, using tear gas which on a whole was mostly inconsequential in harming the German forces. The Germans also attempted to utilzie chlorine gas in Boliv Russia, which freezed at the subzero temperatures of Russia, rendering it usless.
What makes Ypres so devestating and noteworthy is the devestating effects the gas had on the soldiers and the battlefield. As stated above, when the gas was used it was largely inconcesuqnetial so, when the gas, often described as a green-yellow cloud floated over the fields it was largely assumed to be a smoke-screen in preparation of attack (some accounts have described the gas smelling fruity, almost like pineapples).
At 5 pm on April 22, the Germans released the gas against the French 45th Algerian and Morocan divison to the Canadiansā left. The gas was, as stated, thought to be a screen attack and as such none of the troops or high command was prepared for the attack. The gas rolled over the trenches, settling into them and suffocating the French and colonial soldiers, burning their eyes, throats and other soft tissue, such as the lungs causing death or permanent disfigurementĀ in many cases. Many soldiers died rapidly under the assualt of the gas, while others fled the trenches leavong a hole in the allied trenches several kilometeres wide.Ā
The Canadian forces under General Alderson shifted to cover the gap, using cloths that had been urinated on to defend against the gas (Ammonia which is a propetrty of urine, neautralizes Chlorine). It is thought the Capt. Francis Scirmger of the 2nd Canadian Field Ambulance may have passed the order to use urine to counteract the gas on the advice of Lt. Nasmith.
The Germans astounded by the succes of the chlorine gas, were unable to muster their forces in a quick enough manner to exploit the break in the allied trenches. However, by the time the Canadian and British forcces had reinforced the line, they were facing an artillery and direct assault from the German forces (as well as the lingering gas). In this battle the Canadians were largely succesful and it was only part of their trial-by-fire
Part 2: Kitchenr Woods and the rest of Ypres