What WWI Germans Thought About Canadian Soldiers
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- Опубликовано: 16 июн 2024
- Canadians are such nice people. Yes, they are today -- but you wouldn't want to be a German in a trench opposite them in World War I. If World War II Germans called them "barbaric", then you should watch and hear what Canadians did in the Great War and how their reputation spread far and wide across Northern France. Watch the video and find out! Also, please put in the Comments section what you think about this video!
#WW2 #History #WWII
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Canadians also made landmines that looked like food rations.
Frankly i have no idea where we Canadians got our nice guy reputation. To my knowledge, we have always been cruel in war. Even today, we still fire landmines from our artillery, mines that the americans would call weapons of terror because they kill more civilians then soldiers and we still use those.
All of your theories on why Canadians were so cruel are wrong: the Germans had nothing to do with it. Canadians would fought the same way no matter who enemy was and the reason is because of our coexistence with the first nations the guys we'd call indians in america. Their whole warfare ideology is based on cruelty and a merci is to let your prisoner of war chose how he will die and if he choose the most painful way, he is seen as brave and courageous. The Canadians adopted many of these first nation cultures and used them in other wars too like the war of 1812 when the white house was burned. Thats why the Canadians were so cruel.
@@tusk3260 you can't blanket statement that Canadians were cruel the Germans were the first to use gas on the allies (Canadians Ypres 1915) had one of the largest production chains for flame throwers and were known to execute Canadian prisoners after interrogating them, it went both ways no country has clean hands. Canadians weren't exceptionally cruel they were pretty baseline to what was happening on the western front from 1915-1918, on the Mines side the "Ottawa Treaty" led by Canada banned anti personnel mines and prohibited their stockpiling and production and use by all signatory nations. most mines used by western countries are now exclusively AT mines, 133 nations signed the treaty, examples of nations that didn't (USA, Russia, China, Pakistan, and Syria) Just to name a few
I'm so Proud to be Canadian after this Show
I am a Canadian and I like to correct something you said The Germans did not use gas first in World War One the French did Also Germans did not break any laws way they use gas in first world war They release it from cylinders and let the air carry it to the french territorial troops who ran The Canadians fill the trench and were gassed has the gas drift with the wind patterns Als Canadians were also known to have the fewest prisoner of war captures in both wars Why could be that rumors of a crucified Canadian in first world war along with gas attack at Ypres In second world war the Dieppe raid lead to a lot of problems has orders to bind German prisoners were found and this was against rules of warfare Has for us being brutal one only needs to remember we Canadians were still basically a frontier country in World War one The black bear that world would know has Winnie the Pooh was taken from a fur trader in a northern Ontario town Our mentality of survive at any cost We would do things officers included no other army officers would think of doing
The real secret to Canadian brutality was that the troops kept families and neighbors together. That's not just your brother in arms, its Bob. He played hockey with you for 6 years, and cheated off your homework in math class.
The Green Xeno, yeah, I can imagine that would be extra hard to see him blown to pieces in front of you. Thank you for your comment and watching!
A similar policy was generally employed by Australia as well. As men enlisted in each state, state-based regiments were formed loosely based on various combined districts and regions within the state. This kept brothers, cousins and mates together, but also created a regimental bond, knowing that your group generally represented the region of your state where you grew up.
@@warrenmilford6848 in some marine units it was common to do that as well even in this modern day and age
This is the British style of army structure. Militia/reserve forces are local units. Local people join if they want. This has been going on long before WW1. Regular Army units are posted by area where the recruit comes from. Such as if you come from western Canada and join the infantry most likely you will be in the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) If from quebec the regular infantry regiment would be the Royal 22nd Regiment (Van Doos), etc. Also remember by the time the CEF was in the battle the war was over a year old and Canada was brought in after heavy training in Britain. They were wild young Canadian men full of fire. Also being see and the British Army's "Little brother' or just from the colonies. They had to prove their worth...and by the time of the 100 days they were considered the best corps on the allied side. They massacred the Imperial German Army defeating many times their own strength of divisions than the 4 that made up the CEF.
Oh and Canada still has forrest and wild territory. And most of the soldiers played hockey, rugby, football or lacrosse. Very competitive and tough full contact sports.
I'm not sure cancelling Christmas dinner at the last minute is a war crime.
The British did the same before conscription in an effort to get people to volunteer. You can "serve with your mates!" The problem is that it left entire families, villages, neighborhoods, and towns decimated when there was a particularly deadly charge or battle.
A German officer was once asked during world war 2 how they knew which troops they were facing. He said: "When we fired on the British, they would pull back and wait for reinforcements. When we fired on the the Americans they would dig in and wait for the artillery. When we fired on the Canadians, they would attack,"
That sounds about right.
Awesome lol
Cheers
Dad had something critical to say about all the army's except the Canadians he said they were good soldiers well trained, and well disciplined.
Source? Love made up stuff like this.
A Canadian in peacetime: I'm sorry.
A Canadian in wartime: You're sorry.
shanghaisenator, thanks for your comment!
Gotta love that comment.
As a Canadian I am proud
As a Canadian im not sorry , we killed men with guns , germans killed women and children , no merci for evil i say , i wouldnt have had to draw a straw to kill a germen back then , as much as they wanted to wipe the earth clean of us we showed them how it feels and they didnt like it ,,,, im not sorry .......
💯 if you fuck around… you are gonna find out!!!!
Canadians have always been a special breed. I served with them, and they are awesome humble people. That being said, they take their war very seriously.
Thank you for your comment and for watching!
Nice people, until they are on skates…
Great grandfather of mine fought in WW2 and was lucky enough to survive the events of D-Day. Told us that about three weeks after they pushed in land they had a group of forty Germans calmly surrender to them with a lieutenant after finding a translator to talk with him the officer simply stated that “he’d fought Canadians in his youth and refused to put his own men through the same experience”
Greg, one German account that I read spoke about how he fought in Normandy against the Allies and he came over the crest of a hill and there were many, many German soldiers just lying there. He found out that they were waiting to surrender to Allied troops (I don't remember which army), but he went on his way, he felt a duty to fight on. Thank you for your comment! You get a heart!
Interesting there is a you tube of a German captured during Normandy, his comment he had never seen such a profesional army and if he had to recruit an army it would be Canadians
I remember seeing a video clip of an American colonel returning returning from Kandahar after serving under Canadian command and alongside Canadian troops. He was asked what he thought of his experience? He said he was glad to be back. He was asked what he thought of the Canadian soldiers? He stopped, smiled and looked down a moment. He looked back up and said "well...I wouldn't wanna fight'em"
Bram Curtis, that's an interesting comment -- thanks!
@@EmersusTech When I was in the Canadian military, one of our Warrant Officers had a small picture frame at the back of her office, one day I took the time to read it, it was a quote from a Russian General, as memory serves it said "When asked if it was difficult to formulate a counter doctrine to the Canadian Military doctrine he replied, It is quite difficult to formulate a counter doctrine to the Canadian military doctrine, because you don't always follow it... assuming you have bothered to read it." Now that is a compliment.
Don't suppose you know the video title I would love to see it
@@tysoncomfort4244 Did you ever find it? I'd like to see it too
@@JohnHill-qo3hbapparently the Canadian army are the ones that truly scare Russia - because we can fight through the brutal winters ❤
Well in our defense, what did the Germans think would happen after the NHL season was postponed due to the war?
TheCrazyCanuck420, yeah, sometimes countries go too far... :) Thanks for your funny comment and watching!
Lol best comment on this whole thread!! 😂👍🇨🇦
Ice hockey was invented to keep Canadian men distracted from their violent urges.
We play lacrosse and hockey. Enough said.
🤣🤣🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🤣🤣
Canadians didn't go to war to make friends with the enemy, they went to kill Germans. Canadians were not playing war, they had a mission and fought tooth and nail. WW2 was no different. Often, it was the Canadians who were sent to fight the toughests of battles, and always won.
zzzubmno2755, you're right: They were there to "get the job done and go home!" Thanks for watching and commenting!
@@EmersusTech Thanks for the vid, I enjoyed watching it. I will watch more of your vids when I have the time.
Polite civilians and ruthlessly savage soldiers. That's Canadians for ya.
Gary, thank you for your comment and for watching!
As a single Canadian mom of a little boy back in the 90’s, I taught him “You don’t start a fight, but you #%£ing well finish it!”
Lori, thank you for your comment.
yes@@EmersusTech
@@EmersusTechCanadian moms, mine too, and my veteran father and uncles in Korea, grandfathers in WWII and great-grandfathers in WWI all have the same attitude, don’t start a fight, but don’t walk away and, if you must fight, give it your all and fight to the finish. All but one of my family made it back from those wars in one piece, my great-grandfather was MIA around Ypres in September of ‘17, after fighting on the front line for nearly two years - an unbelievable accomplishment. Those stories, and legacy, are still resonating in Canadian military families and our national anthem’s “true patriot love in all thy son’s command” - the original words. A lot of sons, brothers, fathers, uncles and friends paid the ultimate price, and their sacrifices are honoured and remembered every year on Remembrance Day, November 11, at 11:11 am - lest we forget/je me souvien. Thanks to them, I had no war to fight, I was too young to go to Vietnam by just a year or two - yes I would gave joined 30,000 other Canadian boys who joined the US forces in that fight, so we were left with Canadian forces peacekeeping in Cyprus, Gaza and many other hotspots around the globe. We won’t start any fights, but don’t be fooled, we will never walk away from a good fight, it’s in our blood. Ever seen a hockey mom? They’re not to be trifled with. Thanks Moms!
My Grandfather fought in WWII, and my father was in the navy during the Korean war. As a child, I was forbidden to fight. One day he told me "You're not allowed to fight. But if you do fight, you better win, or don't come home." As a child I didn't have many complex thoughts about it, but looking back as an adult I see this as an extremely confusing bind to be put into, as I felt he really meant it, and it definitely resulted in some sub-optimal personality traits. It was however an effective way of producing an aggressive but somehow reasonable individual, and I imagine this ethos from that era was part of the puzzle here.
That's what I was taught. I continue to live by it.
"if it comes to a fight, you'll want them on your side" * Tom Brokaw, on Canadians.
maximilliancunningham6091, that doesn't surprise me! Thank you for taking the time to comment!
Being British i hear a lot of banter directed at Americans when war is mentioned. But never the Canadians. They've always been held in high regard and rightly so.
🇬🇧🍻🇨🇦
In two world wars Britain and Canada were inseparable.
Nothing cheers up a Brit with his back to the wall as much as hearing about a division of Canadian troops disembarking at the docks.
Slangè!!!
Look up a soldier named Leo Major he singled handedly liberated a town and saved thousands of innocent people. He even led 100 German soldiers back to alley lines single handedly 🍁
Mike, thank you for your comment and for watching!
Yes Leo was the man who single handedly liberated the city of Zwoole in the Netherlands. My dutch Canadian dad told me about it. Zwoole is the provincial capital of dads province.
Leo didn't stop at WW2, just look at his accomplishments in Korea too!
@@lukewinkels6393 That would be the province of Overijssel. I have relatives there as well.
I grew up near where he grew up and met his grandson or great grandson? I worked at gas station and the guy would leave his id to gas up (back when they first implemented paying before you pump like 12 years ago) and I had asked if he was related. Paid my respects.
I have heard that Canadians have always punched above their weight in any war they have been involved in. I have met many service persons from different nations who have served with Canadians, their opinion is the same, nice, but you don’t want to be on their bad side.
Michael MacIntyre, yes, I believe they gave more per capita than the US in WWII. Thanks for your comment and watching!
As a Canadian veteran I can attest to the fact-we're great friends and terribl enemies.
@@scottysvids1well that's the case no matter it's the army mad at someone or a civilian mad at another
@@EmersusTech Very few Canadian conscripts were used in combat. The 1st Canadian Corp was 100% volunteers. Out of a population of 11 million, 1.1 million volunteered. The US Army in Europe was composed of 66% draftees. Volunteers and conscripts are two very different animals.
When we are friends, *we're* sorry.
When we are enemies, *you're* sorry.
All I can say is regardless of what people thought, the message those Canadian boys sent got through clearly. “It’s best to leave us out of your war.” You might have mentioned that never in the history of Canada have we ever been the aggressor. We don’t start wars fact.
War is a messy nasty thing every normal person would agree. Yet back then people saw no way around war, it had to be done. The thinking then was if we don’t stop them there they’ll be here next. So they joined in droves, family friends and relations. Often sent to the same units. That alone is enough to bring your vengeful side to the equation.
My Dad fought in WW2. His favourite saying was always, “Any job worth doing is worth doing well.”
War was the job. They went and did their job. As quickly and efficiently as they could. Must have worked history doesn’t have anything about Canada ever being invaded, well at least since 1812. Nor do I see anywhere it suggested that would be a good idea.
We are Canadian ask us for whatever you want. Doesn’t matter what it is we’ll give it our best, be sure it’s what you want.
Edward Phillips, what a good comment! I had never thought about Canada never invading anyone else first. It just never occurred to me. I've been to Canada twice, and in a Burger King in a mall in Ontario, I had my first "vinegar with fries" and I've loved them ever since! (The other trip was to Quebec). So, y'all affected me! :) You get a heart! Thanks for watching!
You forget that invading us is basically impossible unless it’s the Americans! The country is massive and isolated by the pacific and Atlantic oceans im sure it would end terribly for the aggressors
@@Paulin-pw5jx or the Russians...
well, we were part of invading Afghanistan after 9/11. Does that count?
We have antagonized Russia with many lies as nato
One of the reasons, is that a lot of Canadian soldiers at the time were from very small towns, they grew up together and were friends and served in the same units. A lot of them. They were promised an adventure of a lifetime by joining the military and going to Europe only to see their lifelong friends get turned into mush. They went ferral often with pure rage aimed directly at Germans. There are many stories of Germans being outright terrified to attack Canadian lines.
Limish John Mathew, yes, that would be worse to know your fellow soldiers as "childhood chums" and then see them slaughtered in a day for no purpose. It's hard to imagine. Thank you for your comment and watching!
Just like the PAL battalions from England
To add, Canadians didn’t want to be involved, before the war even started they where already mad.
100 years later, those same small towns are still providing the NHL with some of the largest players 😀
@@TheCrazyCanuck420 ....here, here,....we always have our hockey..lol
It was mentioned in the video that Canadians were particularly free from violation of civilians, even in the most contested areas. This correlates with their documented abhorrence of German treatment of those same civilians. Canadians were shocked and horrified at how civilian populations under German occupation were mistreated and took it upon themselves to revisit those very horrors on the perpetrators. Canadian troops became experts at meting it out and the enemy took notice.
tbwpiper189, thank you for pointing out how well the Canadians treated civilians!
Excpet Germany didn't mistreat civilians.
that was WW2
@@user-io6pj8bz8h unless they were jewish, homeless or mentall handicapped then they just euthenised them.
@@user-io6pj8bz8h Wrong, Throughout the war, the German army systematically engaged in numerous atrocities against the civilian population of Belgium, including the intentional destruction of civilian property; German soldiers murdered over 6,000 Belgian civilians, and 17,700 died during expulsions, deportations, imprisonment, or death sentences by court. The rape of Belgium WW1.
I'm Canadian, both of my grandfathers fought in the first world war, one was a lawyer the other had a masters degree, hardly wildmen as you suggest. Their brothers also fought in the war, one was killed at the Somme. The Canadians were the shock troops because they were the best trained best lead troops on the Western Front. Currie along with Monash are considered to be the best corps commanders amongst the allies.
Nick Gooderham, I wasn't suggesting that all Canadians were "wild men", but I was giving possible reasons why some acted the way they did. Sorry, I meant no offense! Thank you for your comment!
oh we're not wildmen, until its war. its like hockey but with more rules. well old school hokey anyways.
My great grandfathers fought in WW1 my grand fathers in WW2 all survived I love the idea of them as wild men absolutely terrifying and destroying the enemy by any means necessary!
Canadians are the mildest, most pleasant people you will ever meet.
But get them into a war, and they are the meanest sons of bitches on the planet.
Good on you Canada!
“ they killed our friends like scum, they treated Jewish men, women and children worst than a Rez dog, and yet they have they audacity to ask us for forgiveness? Even if they had family’s, people who follow orders like that and can’t see the evil behind it shouldn’t be on this earth “ is what my great grandpa told me about his point of view
I'll add another point... The Canadians that went to WW1 had a big Dominion "colony" chip on their shoulders and fully intended to prove they were a *Canadian* nation. The intent going in was to make sure nobody would dare stand in their way of full independence when the war was over. The vicious smack-down on the Germans delivered by a largely volunteer army was also a message to the Brits. Yes, a large percentage of Canada's population going into WW1 may have been British born, but they did leave Britain for a reason. WW1 effectively became Canada's war of independence.
Pretty hard to tease out the reasons for Canadian actions: were we angry with the Germans or did we just use the Germans to deliver that "don't F with us" message to the Brits? Probably a good measure of both.
WW2? Well, that's the problem with building up a bad-ass reputation. You end up having to keep it up. I expect today's Canadian soldiers are still working hard at that. Just like hockey... you have a reputation for playing a physical game and being quick to brawl, well... you end up brawling. You end up at war with Canadians, you better expect a whole lot of vicious from soldier that are there to win. Chivalry is a British game.
And Canada secured her independence with the signing Statute of Westminster in 1931, as did Australia. A preamble to that document was Canada's status as one of the signatory powers of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, the document that formally ended the First World War. That's a pretty high status for a small country like Canada to hold, and a colony at that - and clearly a recognition of Canada's stellar performance on the battlefields of France and Belgium.
That is why Rememberance Day is so important to Canadians 🇨🇦
I think when the Germans used gas at Ypres in 1915, the Canadians held the line when others failed to do so. The survivors I think decided they were not going to play nice with the enemy. Much of what I read is our guys were just pissed off at being in the war and figured by being the meanest bastards on the block was the best way to end it and go home
The original reason for our nasty disposition was that mustard gas was tried out on Canadian troops first. After that everything was fair game.
That is a very interesting consideration.
.
Struck me as something very relatable within that contest.
.
Canadian soldiers did not just come to Europe to "end the war". As part of the British empire, Canadian soldiers participated during the entire duration of both world wars. The great majority were volunteers.
Rachel, thanks for taking the time to comment and for watching!
What's not mentioned here is that Canadian war atrocities were also due to indigenous people's fighting on behalf of the Canadian Military. We (my ancestors) had to give up our heritage to be eligible to fight on behalf of the Canadian military. Indigenous peoples fighting in the first and second war fought. We fought hard.
Attila Nelson, no doubt your ancestors fought hard in WWI! Thank you for commenting!
3000 natives fought in ww2 and 4000 in ww1. There were a total of 650 000 Canadians in WW1 and more than 1 million in WW2. You're making it sound like it was the natives who did all the hard work when in fact there were very few natives compared to non natives
@@jessef88per capita the natives were the most represented group of volunteers, in numbers and awards, yet they were considered "minors" by law until 1962.
YOU guys did brother. I remember reading a story about a native warrior in WW2, He was an absolute bad ass. I wish I could remember his name. Our kids no shit because they are not taught it. The Dutch kids more about our ww2 history then our own kids. I also know that if it were not for the Natives,, Canada would have lost the war against the states. I live near Battle Creek so I know that history very well.
Our greatest hero was Thomas George Prince.And every school child in our country should know who this man was.
As a Canadian, I don't condem them at all.
Who am I to judge?
Like that old saying goes, "before you judge a man, walk a mile in their shoes".
I wouldn't survive a mile in their shoes.
Bailey Green, thank you for your comment!
I’m so honoured to be Canadian as I have a great-grandfather who was in WW2. Unfortunately he died as a POW in Japan, he was a hard fighter and loved his country.
Mikayla Jade, yes, it is an honor! Thanks for watching and commenting!
Heros kill other men and we encourage that
@@frankgreenfield1471 I mean not all heros kill men. This is kind of a non-comment man.
True patriot love in all thy sons command
Amen
The Australians admired the Canadians as they had a lot in common. I heard of an Aussie Digger explaining their dealings with the Germans - "We were there to kill the bastards." They entered German trenches and bayoneted the Germans, they called it "ratting". I get the impression from my readings that the Australians dealt with the Germans the way they did owing to what the Germans were doing to the French and Belgians and their countries and, they were killing their mates. They had no respect for their foe. The Australian and Canadian Corps instigated the defeat of the German Army in 1918. As for respect, at Gallipoli, the Turks were much respected and it was mutual; they uniquely named a portion of their country in honour of the Australians and New Zealanders - ANZAC Cove. We heard a Gallipoli veteran speak of the Turks this way, "Johnnie Turk fought hard but he fought fair." Not so, the Germans.
Andy Wilson, thank you for the details you gave. For that, you get a heart! Thank you for your comment and watching!
The Anzacs fought with honour and courage.
My Dad was in WW1. He went over the top 7 times. He fought with the 10th Battalion CEF Calgary. Very proud his battalion was known as "The White Gurkhas". He told me many things mentioned here. He also told me he didn't take prisoners. I was very young(8 ish) and asked him why he didn't kill Hitler. "He didn't come within 3 feet of me, I killed every German that did". On the battle for Hill 70 he was nominated for a Military Medal for taking out a machine gun nest single handed. I asked how? Knowing there were at least 6 soldiers there. He said, "I got 2 before they knew I was there, 1 tried to run, I shot him the rest I bayoneted. How I asked could you kill that many without getting it yourself. He said,"It wasn't very hard when their hands were up in the air'. He told me that he preferred the bayonet over the bullet. He killed dozens in hand to hand combat. He told me that his job was to kill Germans and he was very good at his job. He drank alot.
Greg Reid, thank for relaying what your father did. You get a heart!
Pops was a straight G
Your story smells completely of bullsh#t, you would be at least 90 years old, yet you write like an 18 year old.
tough man for sure. just a clarification, did you mean he fought in WW2 because you said WW1 but you asked why he didn't kill Hitler which we all know was WW2.
im sorry but your dad is utterly insane for talking like that with a kid, killing isnt something one should ever make light of, no matter the reason, those men he killed had families and friends too, they had dreams and aspirations, im not saying he was wrong to kill them, im just saying to completely disregard and think killing is ever good is wrong.
"There are no winners of war, only survivors and even they die inside from guilt. They only physically survive to warn us. To warn us that there is nothing more terrible than what they have done. " - Jake Fulton
My grandfather fought in WW I... I knew him for nearly 30 years and he only ever mentioned the war once, and that was when I asked him if he went to university and he said "No, I went to war."
I knew several WW1 Veterans when I was growing up.
One, especially, was very poignant for me - 60 years after the War ended - in his own mind, he was STILL in the Trenches. Any loud noise, and he'd hide under his chair or table - even at 80+ years old. He'd spent his entire life (since 1919) in a Veteran's Hospital.
BOTH of my Grandfathers fought in WW1 - one (originally a Coal Miner) was assigned to a Fortress Battalion, and spent his time in the Caribbean, and the other went to the Western Front as a Sniper. On Sept 9, 1918, he received 4 Gunshot wounds, and was hit by a whiz-bang. He walked 5 km to an Aid Station, while holding in his own intestines. And he SURVIVED.
He died in 1936 after saving 2 other men in an oilfield accident.
Norm, I read your grandfathers' stories with interest! Thank you for sharing this with everyone! For this, you get a heart!
Please do a Video on Norms grandfather/grandfathers
9:32 This really stood out for me as it shows that 🇨🇦 brutality wasn't mindless...they knew who the enemy was...and it wasn't some farmer and his family
ZzCanonBull The Great, yes, I wanted to portray the unglossed truth -- with no bias/prejudice. Canadians had a stellar reputation for treatment of civilians/innocents. Thanks for your comment and watching!
Canadian here. Our military history long predates WW I. We fought each other- the Ottawa, Abenaki and Ottawa first nations fought endless wars with the Six Nations Mohawk Confederacy who became allies of the British in the Seven Years War. Mainly they fought each other over the trade routes with the Europeans and both sides were known to burn captives alive. We fought the Americans twice and the frontier wars were vicious affairs. That left a legacy on Canadians how wars are conducted, in my opinion. At the beginning of WW I, the British, remembering in their history and traditions recalled the warlike abilities of their Mohawk allies and requested a regiment of Mohawk warriors. The Canadian commander of Militia, Sam Hughes, was a hardcore racist and refused the request. Canadian First Nations men were initially turned away at the recruiting centers- to them they still believed in the warrior tradition as warriors in their culture still held high status in their communities and they needed to prove themselves. Eventually they were accepted into the CEF and they distinguished themselves. One special case was that of Francis Peghamagabow, the top sniper of WW I.
In Tim Cook's Books he relates that one Canadian soldier was captured by the Germans and the German officer kicked him around and yelled at him, saying "Damn you Canadians! You take no prisoners and kill our wounded!" A Canadian native soldier was captured and was tortured by the Germans in his POW camp because they had been told that "wild Indians" didn't feel pain like other people did. Now consider that 50% of Canadian soldiers were British born. That being said, Canadian regiments declared "after dark, No-Man's-Land is OURS."
Charles Burnham, the portion where you quoted "...You take no prisoners and kill our wounded!" sounds like what I quoted in the video. Canadians got a reputation indeed! Thanks for your long comment and watching!
That was wilcock who was a part Aboriginal sniper with estimates of hundreds of victims under his rifle...when he was finally killed by a German sniper the scuttlebutt in the Canadian trenches was " it must have been a really good German sniper to dispatch wilcocks
At the start of the war 50% were British born but definitely not by 1917. As the British born were wounded or killed they were replaced by Canadian born troops.
Sam Hughes also deliberately mixed French-Canadians into English units rather than into French-speaking units specifically out of racism.
mohawks weren't canadians
Being born Canadian , it's easy to explain
There's a problem , we were asked to help , We did not come to lose .
Run or fight , fear the might
gandalfnamirreh379, yep, that's right! By the way, have you seen my latest video? You may really like it:
Why Was World War II Worse Than World War I?
ruclips.net/video/cky159m1yqk/видео.html
Thank you for your comment and for watching!
My Grandfather joined the regular army after serving in the Militia, (Winnipeg Rifles) pre-war. He had turned 18 that day, although he'd already been working as a locomotive fireman on the railroad for 2-1/2 years. He was a short man with a "slight" build, but in every 12 hour shift, he had to shovel 50 tons of coal, working in an open cab even in the depths of the prairie winter, with temperatures often down to 40 below. During the war he was injured twice by shellfire, and survived 4 German gas attacks. Hospitalized each time, then sent back to the front line in northern France. By war's end, he had multiple promotions, and was Sergeant Major of an infantry company, later a regiment. He became a specialist with the Lewis light machine gun, using it 'man-carried' for "walking fire" while advancing, or when encircling German trenches. Approaching German trenches from the side or rear, after reaching that point by using available cover or darkness, they attacked tranches from the ends, or rear using both Lewis guns and Lee Enfield rifles, as well as "Mills bombs" and other Infantry weapons.
German troops who reached Canadian trenches using cover, then attacking would often hurl in 3-4 gallon containers filled with Kerosene or Benzine, with a live grenade strapped to the container. When the grenade exploded, it flooded the trench with flaming benzine or kerosene. This practice made surviving Canadian troops less than sympathetic toward the Germans.
Canadian troops were the first to use the Lewis gun as a man-carried infantry weapon when attacking in platoon or company strength. Replacing the tripod/bipod with a wide leather shoulder strap made them an effective Infantry weapon for attacking trenches. This was contrary to British Army doctrine and practice - the Brits used heavy machine guns like the Vickers on fixed tripods, and those were very effective. But they only deploy the Lewis gun as a 'fixed position' support weapon. Canadian troops soon were using the Lewis 'shoulder-slung" and fired from the hip. Attacking at night or just before dawn from the side or rear of German positions, Canadian troops used these with brutal efficiency. British generals and "experts" protested this doctrine, but its success in Canadian units caused Canadian commanders to ignore the "Colonel Blimp Pronouncements." German troops in his sector had a habit of finding Allied wounded, then over several hours wounding them repeatedly with rifle fire, blowing off a foot, arm, knee, until the victim finally died. The wounded did not die quickly, or quietly. Against that background, and under all-Canadian command, there was no quarter given by either side. The actions you attribute to Canadian troops were not unique to any army on either side, regardless of what revisionist historians, many British, now say. I'm sure that by the war's end, every imaginable brutality had been seen or done, by or against both sides.
Incidentally, my grandfather was discharged in 1919, having been assessed as having a "40% permanent disability due to wounds." Much later (1960's) he began receiving a "wound pension" - in 2023 dollars $30-$35/month. He went back to being a railroad fireman until promotion to Engineer in1925. For all of that time and with 40% of his lungs destroyed by poison gas and with wounds from shellfire, he still shoveled 50 tons or more of coal almost every shift. He became a top Union representative, as well as being promoted to a supervisor position in the railroad. However, that actually meant his salary was reduced, and with a family that grew to six children during the Great Depression he returned to the 'running trades' & then took every call that came to take out a train (the family had the only telephone in a 2-block area, near the rail yard), even if he'd just completed a trip. In spite of his injuries he lived into his 90's, although in severe pain for the last 15 years of his life. I cannot imagine what kind of sheer hell his work on the railroad, with that much lung damage and those those wounds must have been like.
He rarely, if ever spoke about the war. A teetotaler, he did not go to drink with other ex-soldiers at the Canadian Legion, and wore his decorations and insignia only on November 11th, Armistice Day. I learned after his death that he was highly respected by fellow railroad men, many of whom had also served in WWI. He was a quiet man, and I don't recall ever hearing him raise his voice, but he certainly had leadership skills, as well as expertise in planning, management and innovation. He was also a very religious man, not a "Bible shouter" and I'm sure he prayed for the souls of all killed during WWI, friend and foe. He did not believe that his wartime service entitled him to special status or privilege, and was treated very badly by Canada's Veterans Affairs department as a result. "Royally Screwed Over" was how one colleague, also a WWI veteran, described how he was treated by V.A.. Although a very strong and effective Union representative who bargained fiercely for his fellow railroaders, he did not do likewise for himself in his own life after retiring. Far too often typical of the treatment our Veterans receive. As to wartime 'atrocities' the only comment I heard from him, ever, was that "war is brutal and obscene." So true.
Flying Beaver, thank you for sharing your grandfather's story! In this video, I didn't state that Canadians were unique in committing atrocities against Germans -- all other armies did and the video stated such. However, the issue was the degree. Certainly, with the Germans finishing off Canadian wounded as you described would harden the softest heart. Thank you for your grandfather's service in WWI and for your story, you get a heart!
@@EmersusTech Thank you for your kind words. Partly from interest, and circumstance, I have become a sort of "clearing house" for the diaries, photos and memorabilia of family members on both sides, as they have gradually passed away. I'm sorry about the phraseology I used with respect to revisionists. I was not thinking of you; rather, of an individual who has descended upon the University where I once taught, and as with many wealthy and "woke" types, he has re-written parts of the history of troops from western Canada to fit his own skewed sensibilities. What he calls "research" I call "cherry picking" - selecting only the pieces of historical records that fit a story already written. My own work was in the sciences, and researching family war history started in "available spare time." As I received documents, etc. from family members, my interest grew, as did my contacts. I'd hoped to do a full-scale "history tour' after retiring; an unforseen disability put that on hold. But I've continued to find new material that fills in various blanks or stories, and I'm doing my best to organize it, as well as learn about it. If we are honest, the combined work and resources will be invaluable for the future. Best wishes from western Canada!
What a Canadian!
My adopted grandfather was in the Canadian Expeditionary Force. He served for three years in France and Belgium. He is, by far, the best man I have ever known. He never really talked about the war itself, but he always talked about his friends and all of the crazy things they did for fun, but never the fighting. I believe, I knew more about them than their own families. He missed them terribly too.
Bass Wars, yes, they were a special, self-sacrificing generation -- that we may never see again in our lifetimes, in my opinion. Thanks for your comment!
My grandfather was a private in WWI and a German prison guard (in Canada) in WWII. His favourite saying was “The only good German was a dead one” His hatred survived both wars.
ForTheLoveOf Meatloaf, thank you for your comment.
Great video. I grew up in England about 100 yards away from the site of a 1942 plane crash that involved a Canadian pilot. So I've always had great interest in the Canadian military
Daniel, thank you for your compliment! When viewers like my videos, then I feel satisfied. Thanks!
If you ever watched a professional hockey game in Canada in the 70s you would know why Canadians are tough
My Grandfather was in WW1 and was gassed and shot in the head. He didn’t say much about the war except to say that it was terrible beyond description . He survived the war and served as a guard to German prisoners who were sent to Canada. Once the German prisoners were on Canadian soil they were treated fairly and some like our town butcher stayed in Canada, became a Canadian citizen and married the cook from the prison camp and they opened a grocery store in our little town.
Hummmminify, thank you for sharing your grandfather's the German POWs' stories. For this, you get a heart!
My Grandfather was 17 years old, and he was at Vimy. His 15 year old wife was at home with their first child.
When the 2nd World war came around....that child was storming Normandy on DDay, with his two younger brothers. When the 1st world war was over, Grand dad became a cook at a lumber camp. When the 2nd World war ended, the oldest son worked as a truck driver, and the two young brothers worked at a dairy, and the youngest as a stone mason.
Richard, thank you very much for your contribution! For this, you get a heart!
"Canadians from the back woods weren't as polite or refined as they are now"
Rural Canadians are the only polite ones left, just visit any major city
:l , that's an interesting observation. Thank you for your comment and watching!
I grew up in a small northern Manitoba town, now live in Toronto and i can safely say this is completely untrue.
@@randyval2 it's more that people are impersonal in big cities, there are just too many people to stop and chat with strangers. Once you get to know them they're just as polite
True. The big cities are arrogant, except for some very nice immigrants.
Wrong, I'm from Northern Alberta and now live in Halifax. No matter where you live you get fur peices. Doesn't matter where you live.
still a great video. As a Canadian, I gotta say its not for country. Its each other we fight for. My actual neighbor and his kid. The manager of my fav coffee shop. But mostly... Freedom. General freedoms of free vote, free of sexual orientation and religion medical and aid programs for the mentaly ill. I fight for those things and my blood boils with fire in todays conflicts. I think its in the Canadian DNA. It's not just about us. We just really dislike bullies. Our rage for bullies is fire.
Exactly.
Was very fortunate to know two WW1 veterans.When I was 10 I was in the grocery store buying a chocolate bar and carrying a COX .049 gas model of the Fokker Triplane.A voice behind me said "I fought against them in Europe".I thought that was the coolest thing ever👍
Wombat Willy, I had a little hot wheel car that had a big radial engine that I used to imagine was part car/part biplane when I really young. I had a lot of fun with that.
I also have a similar story -- when I was working as a teenager in the 80's, a few older painters came in. Somehow, we got around to talking about where they were from. Long story short: They were Finns who had fought the Russians in WWII. They were the right age -- late 50's-early 60s and they had the accent. Unfortunately, we all had to work, so there wasn't too much time to jabber on, but I wish I had found out more from them. Thanks for your comment and watching!
The Canadian who fought in World War 1 was all most all volunteers less than 25000 conscripts served in France. The Canadian Corps of 1918 was over 100,000 soldiers in 4 Heave Division. In last 100 day defeating elements of over 50 German Divisions. Between August 8th and 13 captured 9,131 prisoners 190 artillery pieces and 1000 machine guns and trench mortars
Daryl Nelson, yes, I read the history about this -- the Canadian government didn't want to send conscripts, but eventually did at the end because of necessity at the very end of the war. WWI was such a meat-grinder that the Canadian Corps was threatened with the possibility (if I remember correctly) of being merged with the British army if more troops didn't follow to make up the losses. Thank you for your comment!
It's interesting re the hockey comment. It reminded me of when I was watching a baseball game between Canada and Mexico and it turned into an all-out fist fight and the announcers (who I believe were American) were completely aghast because they said normally players just posture like they're going to fight but never do... then they said, "well these guys probably grew up playing hockey, they aren't afraid to fight!" (going from memory, not an exact quote but the gist of what they said.) I do think guys who grow up playing hockey, especially in the old times when it was even more physical, could bring out the aggression when necessary. But I sure had to laugh that day, it was really a sight!! lol
Silk Eotd, that's a good story! For that, you get a heart!
Yes, I'd say the biggest thing that created the attitude to take no prisoners is when the Germans crucified a Canadian solider to a barn door. Now I know for decades the authorities said that it was likely only a story, but a few years back more information came to light which now seems to confirm that it did happen (there is a documentary about that on YT.) It's understandable why they would feel that way, I don't blame them at all. I'm sure they were also affected by the memories of the poison gas attacks on Canadian troops (who had no masks since it was the first such attack during the war) and also seeing their friends die. No, I don't blame them at all. I'm very proud that the Canadian forces were undefeatable in the last 100 days of the war and accomplished so much.
Silk Eotd, you're correct, I didn't know about the new information about the crucifixion to the barn door. I reserve judgement until I've reviewed it. We all have to be careful about "new information" and review it thoroughly. That doesn't mean it's not true though and I like to keep a quasi-open mind about things. Like one commenter stated, we know that they believed that it happened, so it might as well have happened in effect. Thanks for commenting and watching!
oh so there is a youtube video about it? well that makes it legit then.
@Alpha Homo the Germans spent the war committing atrocities, as or more often against civilians.
So the idea that they were hard done by is pretty rich.
Whether the crucifixion story was true or not, if the soldiers believed it, they were unlikely to get overly bothered about a few extra bruises or worse, depending on the situation.
Also, contrary to the picture painted by this video, Canadian soldiers generally took prisoners just like any other Allied army. But a reputation for viciousness on both sides would leave soldiers hesitant to take risks, and quick to shoot.
@fireheart6840 It all depends on what information and evidence is presented in the video, as you should know
My grandfather was in WW 1 and 2 He was in the Canadian 8 th army and was at all the great battles. The one that stuck most in his mind was Vimy Ridge. Nobody could take but the Canadians did. My grandfather was a corporal in charge of 6 machine guns and was posted on the southern edge of Vimy Ridge. They waited for the artillery's walking barrage to pass then he had the men grab their Lewis light machine guns and they went up the south end machine gunning the Germans as they emerged from their dugouts, keep going and swept the Germans from the top. He had many stories on the war. His WW2 experiences are another story.
Bruce D, yes, I watched a video going into great detail about Vimy Ridge. The conditions were really brutal! Thanks for your comment and watching!
The Europeans were fighting a gentleman's war with rules. Canadians and Americans aren't Europeans. Both our countries brought a savage pragmatism to the wars in Europe, very reminiscent of how our First Nations peoples viewed fighting an enemy. It was from the tactics, and philosophies learned from fighting Canada's own indigenous people that much of the Canadian Army was built on, whether they realize it or not. The goal of war is to win, not to show your enemies how "noble" you are. Canadians understood this, and Canadian soldiers still understand today.
bdjcasar8357, thank you for your well-thought-out comment!
The Germans broke the rules when they used mustard gas. Then the gloves really came off.
I think this is nonsense mate. with all respect
Canadian from Saskatchewan here, I don't blame the way our soldiers treated Germans. One thing that we need to remember is how death was so prevalent on the Front. In most cases, it wasn't uncommon to be executed for treason and desertion, heck, even retreating in the wrong direction could land you on the firing line. The Germans also overlooked the fact that they used gas on a majority of Canadian regiments. Plus you factor in the constraint of U-Boats attacking merchant ships, can you blame Commonwealth troops (especially Canadians) for not wanting to take prisoners? As a secondary fighting force to the Brits, and operating on a disrupted supply line, what sort of treatment of POWs is to be expected? You receive orders from a British command to attack, you better darn well get ready to accept it. Plus, the Brits wanted an elite fighting force, and the classic British tactic was to send out Commonwealth troops first. As they did not see the purpose of sacrificing British lives. You can only begin to imagine how much action the Canadians saw on the front. As opposed to other allied factions (of course not taking away from their brave sacrifice) the Brits basically used Canadians as a weapon. You could think that the Canadians were trying to mitigate each approach: pre-emptively, during the attack, and after a costly victory. So yeah you might think they were fighting and killing senselessly, but truly they were surviving, at best.
grenadierhaast, thank you for your detailed comment!
This topic needs more attention. I've heard that the Canadians were absolutely brutal in night raids, and nowhere else on the internet does it say that.
Roch Baczkowski, yes, it would be a good video, but I would worry that Canadians would think that I was being too "harsh" on them. It's something to think about. Thanks for your comment!
Read up also on our famous sniper "Peggy" who killed almost 400 Germans, captured 300 German prisoners and he used to go into the German trenches at night on solo raids and cut pieces of their clothes away (he didn't kill them but he affected them since they would wake up and find out he had been there.) He was Indigenous so he was basically "counting coup"...
Silk Eotd, if you're speaking about the First Nation Canadian soldier, yes, I actually did read about him. Very interesting story! Thanks!
@@EmersusTech na man I love it I take pride in how brutally efficient my ancestors were in war you say atrocities I say they did what was necessary. I would love another video. It’s just a shame our allies weren’t willing to be as brutal maybe coulda ended the war sooner.
I think you will find the roughest Canadians are the immigrants who take to the country deeply and without hesitation. Very fierce in their loyalty
Walter Holder, that's a good comment -- and accurate -- because some immigrants to all Western nations, imo, seem to go to the countries and represent the ideals of the nation. How many stories have we heard of an immigrant who had $5 in their pocket and they became a millionaire within a few decades. Thanks for your comment!
Not my experience.
X for doubt.
Facts
Sadly, the immigrants to the UK show relatively little loyalty to their host nation, and many openly decry the UK and extoll their old country. Odd that.
This channel should blow up! I watched your video about the German views on the allies and it blew up. I think with similar subject issues and video quality you could honestly make money on RUclips. This should be a series.
want to hang out james may, thank you for the compliment! I believe my videos are better than some of the others on RUclips, and yet they get more views. I don't understand it honestly. What's strange to me is that I have videos that are even more interesting than some that have hit high viewership, yet they are almost ignored. Thank you for your comment and watching.
Also, you get a heart!
never mistake kindness for softness. don't tread on us Canadians. we do not forget.
Brian Lowe, thank you for your comment and watching!
What part of Europe do canadians originate from.
@@williamwallace49243/4 British origin (English/Irish/Scottish) 1/4 French approx. (not counting other Europeans, Indians, Asians, and Indigenous peoples).
As the old saying goes, "good doesn't always mean nice".
@@intercommerce Your demographics are way off. You forgot about all the Slavs and Italians in Canada. Frank Mahavolic, #27 for the Leafs, was Croatian. I could go on.
My Canadian grandad was a runner in the Great War and thankfully he could run like the wind or i wouldnt be typing this. Like most he never talked much about what he experienced except with the boys he fought with but my dad would hide under the porch and listen in. Brutality on a otherworldly level.
Buck Ó Donnghaile, it's amazing when those things like how fast you can run can change everything, even the future! Thanks for taking the time to comment and for watching!
My dad was a WW2 veteran and career military Canadian Officer. He fought I France, Belgium, Holland and Germany … North Shore Regiment. In Holland Hitler put two SS Divisions to keep it… Canadians fought hand to hand street fights and house to house battles which he said was terrifying… kicking down doors and running in with machine guns. The Nazis were literally starving the Dutch to death and were eternally greatful for their Canadian liberators. My dad also served in the U.N. leading the two peacekeeping teams and reported directly to the Secretary General U Thant … served in 61 and 67 in Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. Serving in the Holy Land changed his life. In his later years he sponsored two families of the “ Boat People “… ethnic Chinese Vietnamese refugees.. putting a couple of children through University, setting a couple up in business. A year after he died one of them ( they all eventually moved to Toronto) flew his whole family down to St.Stephen N.B., stood on his grave and said “ I will never forget you and what you have done and I will see you in Heaven.” A fitting epitaph for a true Christian, a patriotic Canadian soldier… one of the greats of THE GREATEST GENERATION! By God’s grace and mercy, through faith in Christ’s death and resurrection we will meet again soon in Glory ❤️🙏
Brian, thanks for your good comment about your dad! You get a heart!
We aren't THAT polite. Especially the younger generation like myself. Also, in my experience, Canadians are very proud of the military's achievements in both wars, and, again in my experience, seem to have the point of view that the Germans weren't undeserving of the brutality shown towards them in both wars.
Graf von Boneless, thank you for your comment.
"we aren't THAT polite" the apology act 2009 begs to differ bud. Also idk where you live, but in my province I encounter a lot of polite people.
Nah bro the Germans didn’t really deserve to be brutally executed they was mostly just fighting to protect there country
THANK YOU I been tryna explain this so many people come here n get smoked cuz they come here thinking its sweet n end up getting everything they want n smokin them cuz everyone think they safe here they jus walk into a trap n it's hilarious 🤣🤣🤣 mfs Mistake politeness for weakness we jus ain't rude there's a difference like we ain't jus gonna be a dick for nothin u gotta do somethin
For sure canadians are sure not polite to each other. Regional resentments and hatreds are always close to the surface.
As most other comments I'm also a Canadian, Service mbr and amateur historian. You mentioned that the officers were very strict on their men, but this couldn't be farther from the truth. As most were recruited for the war effort with no prior service history, the general consensus among the troops when an officer tried to tell them what to do was "...and who the hell are you!?" They indeed had to find a new way to get through to the men, as the British style of top down command would not work. It's been well documented by British soldiers observing this kind of behavior in shock and awe while training in England and probably contributed to the British commands contempt for the "unprofessional, rag tag Canadians". Thanks for the spotlight, great content!
Reggie Chabassol, yes, the British had problems going from a peace-time "Empire army" to a "World War Army" -- drafting massive of civilians, who weren't used to authority and believed in freedom! Thanks for your comment and for watching!
I read a story about how sentries could tell if the soldiers walking back from town were Canadian. 'Halt who goes there'?......'G'day mate ow are ya?'...pass Aussies. 'halt who goes there?'....'just us bud'...'pass yanks'.......'halt who goes there?'.......'go fuck yourself ya fuckin' puke'....pass Canadians.
Right I remember Leo Major turning down a medal and ceremony because he didn't respect the General who was presenting it
Wanna know why the Canadians were so feared? Because they had a secret weapon... native American men that brought their language and fighting knowledge, they knew how to be super stealthy..
Marcus Young chief, yes, soldiers like Francis Pegahmagabow made life (and death) more difficult for the Germans! Thank you for your comment and watching!
I lived in a house where the previous owners had a son gassed in the war. The built a special sunroom for him but he died a slow painful death shortly after returning from war.
My great grand uncle is buried in France he was 21. No Canadian I know regret our troops actions in with world war.
Kim Heffernan, my great uncle was in US special ops in Vietnam and he installed a red light in his room as an overhead when he got back to the states. He later killed himself when he learned that he was being recalled to Vietnam. Also, my dad was in Vietnam and the location that my great uncle said he was -- there weren't supposed to be any US troops there.
Here's my dad's story:
A Vietnam Veteran's True Story
ruclips.net/video/Qixfo8iR-LE/видео.html
Although it may sound like I was critical of Canadian actions, I was trying to "cover the story" in an objective way. I know bad things happen in war, otherwise "...we'd grow too fond of it." (General Robert E. Lee)
My great uncle served and survived WW1. Later on in life he developed Alzheimer’s. He dug trenches all over his yard and would hide in them thinking Germans were after him. Very sad that these were the only memories he kept. I thank these men for giving their lives and serving Canada 🇨🇦 I can’t even imagine how this was.
Volunteer armies want to get the job done and go home. Conscript armies just want to go home. Canada was mostly rural. These guys worked outside for a living; working outside in Canada is a tough job. The Canadian Corps was deployed for the first time to the trenches in Flanders between the French and British.They did not have a helmet, they did not have a gas mask and they were about to discover that their rifle would overheat and jamb in about a minute. John McCrae was there with the artillery. The day he arrived the Germans launched the first gas attack in history at the French on the Canadian left. He and the Canadian army watched a yellow cloud appear and then, first the birds and the animals followed by the people and the French army all fled past them. They spread out to cover the empty French position and waited. Not for long, though. It was soon their turn. The Germans expected everyone to flee. Instead, the Canadians held their ground, returned fire and stopped the attack. The Germans tried again, several times a day for seventeen days before John McCrae was rotated out. That was how Canada was introduced to German tactics. And that's how Germany was introduced to Canada. When WWII ended, the only German troops that hadn't already surrendered were the ones in Holland facing the Canadian army. Canadians don't like war and we'll punish anyone that starts one.
Gold Bug, you made a really good comment! You get a heart!
I think to paraphrase was "we came over
to fix your crap and we want to get home asap" , I love how all this magically has come to light in the last few years
crackmonkeynet, thank you for your comment!
I just commented with you on another channel. It looks like a very cool & unique thing you’re doing here, and you have a great narrator voice! Subscribed! WWII was a great era. God bless! 🙏🏻
Peace is Yeshua, yes, I saw that...I'll respond. Thanks for watching and commenting! Peace in Christ!
@@EmersusTech
You’re so welcome!! God bless you!! 😊
thank you
EmersusTech
- always a treat to see your video queued in the notifications
Ash Dobbs, thanks! There are some people's names that I recognize and yours is one of them! It's words of encouragement like yours that really make it worth it!
Oh, and you get a heart!
My grandad was with the US Army Artillery in WW1, as one of two Regimental Sergeants Major. He ended up moving to Canada after the war, after marrying my grandmother.
🇺🇸 / 🇨🇦
intercommerce, that's definitely an "international love"! I've been to Canada twice -- both were good experiences! Thanks for your comment and for watching! There's a new video out that you may want to see:
Monash's Masterpiece: The Battle of Hamel
ruclips.net/video/93mVu2vgErs/видео.html
As a Canadian I very well know the brutality that happened in World War I and even in World War II because we weren't completely innocent and that we did commit war crimes but I'm so proud of our military today and I just take so much pride in knowing our achievements and I feel really bad for this but knowing what happened to the Germans give me a little feel showing that we're not pushovers like everyone thinks we are
Chief ligmas, modern Canadians aren't responsible for what our forefathers did. However, we can learn what they did and discuss it, without approving or necessarily condemning it. We weren't personally there and who knows what we'd do in the heat of battle? The mission or objective and most importantly your brothers next to you are more important than the enemy. Thanks for your comment -- you get a heart!
@@EmersusTech I get that very well I am just saying the world thinks we're bear loving bar hoping fun people which I love because it is partly true and we are nice but I don't like it when people think we're just people that could be gone In a few hours if a country waged war on us that's all I meant by it
And I know this isn't something we should say but I can't help how I feel
@@Thorkell_the_tall. Chief_ligmas, thank you for your reply!
@@EmersusTech no problem I feel bad about looking at it like this
Truly? I'm not ashamed in the least. The German atrocities were terrible and the change to this type of attitude was said to have occurred after troops heard of one of their own being crucified on a barn door by the Germans. (This video was very good but apparently didn't know that new information came out several years back which does seem to confirm that it did happen after all and was not just a story as was previously thought after the war.) Besides, they knew who the enemy were. If they had been brutalizing civilians that would be something else...
I'll give my 2 cents as a Canadian. It starts with the brutal life ending work in the newly opened up North. We have Sudbury nickel mines, Cobalt, Silver mines, Kirkland Lake and Timmins, Plus all the activity in Quebec that was part of the same northern rush. My town alone (50,000) has lost 1000 men underground in the last 100 years. The ratio of critical injury to death is exponentially higher. There was already generational PTSD ingrained in the people. The kids whose dad's died, or the men who saw their friends get broken and maimed only to be replaced with another fresh face. The average lifespan for a mine worker back then was 4 years underground. But those men could do hard nasty work in unlighted dangerous environments. They were experts with pry bars from scaling rock, improvised explosives for dealing with frozen faces, or oversize, and they came up everyday from underground with any exposed skin black from the environment. They had already been in a war for a long time already and were already exposed to grizzly death scenes on an almost daily basis. They were comfortable trading their lives for a chance to earn a wage for their families. These men (at least the ones I talking about) were already desensitized. Didn't help matters that the Americans were selling the same nickel these guys had dug up out of the ground, to the Germans. So our soldiers were getting killed by our own goods. It was a scandal at the time. however JP Morgan owned INCO and so fuck canadians it's about $$$
Mitch, yes, unfortunately there are some pond scum who make money off the suffering of others. They'll get their reward in due time! Thank you for your comment and you get a heart!
There was a vet form the Black Watch in WW II, he was one of their Scouts under Corpral Dale Sharp. He was telling when they entered Germany and in tears he sobbed that they started it and someone had to pay. Maybe some of your thoughts maybe be true, but many of them acted in a way similar of the Black Watch Scout. War changes people and many regret later what they have been apart of. Many vets did not talk of the war, especially those that fought in WW I. If you go even further back, the Canadians had a even a more fearsome reputation and that was in the Second Boer War. Some of this was aimed at the Lord Strathcona Horse and maybe more so to the Canadian Scouts. Queen Victoria and her son, later King Edward referred to them as the Queen's Cowboys. They were diverted to London on their return to Canada to march in a parade for her, but dhe died just before their arrival. Her son, now King Edward reviewed them and thanked the Queen's Cowboys for their service. The LSHR was made up of ex Northwest Mounted Police and Cowboys. It was required that everyone requesting an enlistment had to be experienced with horses and riding them. It was actually a member of the Royal Canadian Dragoons that came up with the idea of the Canadian Scouts and soon many from different Commonwealth Countries requested to join them. I knew someone who was in the RCN during WW II and served on MTB's and I only knew this as I played golg with a man that remembered his name even though he was in a different flotilla, he as on the MGB flotilla. Walt never spoke of those years, as it seem to trouble him.
Tomkinsbc, if I were ever really rich, then I'd own horses. I love riding them, but I haven't had many chances to do so. They are wonderful animals! This sounds eerily familiar, like what Teddy Roosevelt and his rough riders were like when they enlisted. Thanks for your comment and for watching!
And you get a heart!
I think we had a lot of natives in our army who were fierce fighters !
Noobiedooby, nothing wrong with that! Almost anything to scare the enemy and end the war sooner for the Allied was a good thing -- in both wars! Thanks for your comment and watching!
I was having a hard time tryna accept canada growing up but you're giving me hope maybe we can be war-friends
Check out Francis Pegahmahabow, he was one of the most deadly snipers of WW1
Canadians were if anything, pragmatic, when I was in the CAF, in the late 80's it was still that way, training was; be brutal to the enemy, utmost care of the civilians. War is the Human condition, if you don not embrace it, you will die, and as someone said, units were based on area, so you KNEW the people who were your battle buddies. knew the look on the face of a mother or wife when they found out about the death of the a son, husband, father. 'The Human condition', the Canadians did not put on European airs of ' gentleman in war', You become the animal, the apex predator... or the enemy will. Modern western troops will get torn up by just about anywhere else outside of the west, in trench style fighting, they are given leave to be soft and treated with kid gloves, the west now, even the US, is in deep trouble.
Ian, thank you for your comment!
My father was a WW2 Canadian soldier witht the 4th Armoured Division, 10th Infantry Brigade Ground Defence Platoon. He and 6 other soldiers captured a 700 man German Infantry Battalion. Several German prisoners told him that "1 Canadian soldier was worth 10 American soldiers" and that "when the Germans were entrenched facing American soldiers everyone had a good nights sleep but when they knew they were facing Canadian soldiers no one slept"
bills1669, even though I'm American, I find that funny. We need our sleep -- even on the battlefield! There's a time to fight and a time to rest!
Excellent video. Thank you.
Roy, thank you for your nice compliment! I appreciate it!
My great uncle was an American and was in the Canadian army in WW1.
Sweet Rain, it's interesting how many Americans fought for Canada and the Commonwealth/Allies in both world wars. The Americans fighting for France in the Lafayette Escadrille comes to mind. Thanks for watching and commenting!
@@EmersusTech yes, it's very interesting. I learned about it through family search. I found that his US draft card said he was late getting it in because he was in Canada. Then it had an event that had weird numbers that were not US units so just blind luck searched the Canadian records and found him. I found him today on there and have been binging Canadian WW1 content. Thanks for the video! 👍
Imagine getting called back to Europe a generation or so later to die in a crossfire. Kinda defeats the purpose of leaving in in the first place. I don't think I would play entirely by their rules either.
Dangiel Frauk, yes, that would be disheartening to have to go back to Europe to fight the same country -- just another generation later. Thank you for your comment!
Great video. Imma binge all your vids now😂
Casper, yes, I have the most unappreciated channel on RUclips -- two years in row -- imo -- :) Happy binge watching! Tell me your favorites!
A late friend of mine told stories when we lived in the forest. He showed how he made things that could bring down bears within the daylight. He'd draw lines and talk of days he'd sprint across lines, plunging his fashioned items into their hearts. The warm feeling as the life of the enemies spilled out, the death throes that filled the air, and the blood that seemed to run rivers through emptied trenches. He spoke as if they were his glory days. When he could finally let loose and show them what it meant to be Canadian in a fight.
I carry the skills he taught me today, and I wish he could see the world he saved. The forest however, was his home.
bigchungu7698, thank you for your comment! It's good to pass on survival skills to each new generation.
For those who made this video - I am grateful to learn more of the experience of Canada, in the First World War. I have visited a few of the battlefields and graveyards, around Ypres, Vimey Ridge, and Beaumont Hammel. I’ve traveled widely in Canada -all provinces and territories, except the northern two; have gotten to Yukon, and to both areas of Newfoundland.
I’m from Ohio, USA. 🖖
Jonathan Murphy, thank you for your comments! Initially, I thought you might be a Canadian because of what you wrote. Thanks!
@@EmersusTech Yes, Ohioan, who knows Canada well. Even when the Revolutions were tearing and uplifting Eastern Europe, in 1989-'90, I got to Prague. A man my same age approached, and asked if I was American, "Yes -and you are obviously Canadian, Ontario" "How data figure that, Eh?" "Well, the "Eh" and your Toronto Blue Jays log on your backpack" -we hung out, he was there to teach English. 🙂
Newfoundland is by far the best province we have.
Most Canadians at the time grew up on the Frontier and villages. They didn't have much and lived a hard lifestyle. I remember a quote with respect to the Canadian soldier of WWI: Its something we do all the time because we're good at it. And we're good at it, because we're used to it. And we're used to it, because we do it all the time. Life in rural Canada at the turn of the century could be brutal. And so, when the world put men into a brutal situation, our boys we ready.
I also agree with the 10:30 mark of the video. Canadians joined up in 1914 for an adventure promised to them by King and Country. By 1915 it was apparent this wasn't a jaunt through Europe and the resentment settled in that these damn Germans had started a war and continued a war that was now keeping Canadians from ever going home. As the author here said, there would be no benefit in half-measures. We're here to do a job and if that job is killing then lets set about doing that job proper
My Grampa was never sober after the war but still lived a productive life.
Bikerbob59, that's too bad -- about his lack of sobriety! Thank you for your comment and for watching!
If your enemy does not fear you then you're not doing your job properly...........
frenchycanada, thank you for watching and for your comment!
My great grandpa Sam fought in the front lines in ww2 on the west front he said the Canadians were ruthless to the point that he wondered if they had a soul at all
Jason Howell, that's an amazing statement! Pretty scary too -- what he must've seen to think that! Thanks for watching and commenting!
People grow up in harsh climates all around the world what makes us different is our harsh climate can come at us in all four seasons. I know our winters is the obvious and the thing we learn from birth is how to adapt quickly to changing circumstances around us.
Chris Hanson, thank you for your comment and watching!
Depends where you live man most of B.C. doesn’t get a winter anymore maybe lightly snows once a year
“You call it the Geneva Convention, we see it as the Geneva Suggestion”
theonlynoob2939, thank you for watching and commenting!
This brought a tear to my eye I haven’t felt like a proud Canadian for a few years 👊🏻🇨🇦
user-es4bc4wb6z, that's why I make these videos -- to remind others of the history that has been (and may never be again!) Thanks for watching and for your comment!
My great grandfather attributed it to the crucifiction by the Germans in Belgium. Whether or not it is true, front line troops believed it happened.
Arnie Williamson, yes, it seems they believed it and that's the same as it happening! Thanks for your comment and watching!
That was definitely a tipping point for sure.
Its war. You can't sanitize it or fight with gentleman rules. The fact that they had a pretty stellar record when it comes to the treatment of civilians says something.
minavanderleest9493, yes, I found that promising when I researched that about Canadians being stellar about treatment of civilians. Thank you for taking the time to comment and for watching!
I was forced to write; "I will not be a barbarian in physical science class." a hundred times. Cheers, Miss McGill!
goreilly2005, that's funny!
The war memorial in France Hitler put his own personal guards around that site that how much respect he had for Canadian soldiers.he didn’t want it to be defaced.hitler fought the Canadians in the ww1 he did not to piss us off ww2
Hitler respected the monument but not the Australian one which he blew up as it 'gloated' in allied victory - the Canadian monument by contrast was somber and spoke of grief and sacrifice...
One must remember Canada is more than one country , at the time if you look who was a farmer or trapper living in the wilderness and the midwest ,it was mostly immigrants , most ENGLISH LIVED IN TORONTO Ottawa Montreal . We lived in NEW BRUSWICK at the end of a five mile dirt road 3 miles from the nearest neighbor , i never saw a city before age seven , no stores no loblaws just the family working for itself its servival , no one wanted to go to war other than dam politicians or big city money baggers . If one hand left the farm you inherited double the work load , so going to fight for something that aint your afffair it meant either loosing everything you were working for survicval and leaving behind yout wife and young kids to fend for themselves , winters are hard times for farmers and much worse for a family without men , they went with one mind lets get this over and go home especially they fought for a country they did not know nor cared about , grandad saud we shortend the war , my father was in ww2 and had the same mindset , we had no one to spare on the farm .
Andre Robert Drouin, when my grandfather grew up in Missouri, if a family traveled, they left the doors unlocked -- if they had locks at all. I asked him why they left them unlocked. He said, in case another family was traveling and needed a place to stay, they would just come in and use the house for the day before moving on. I don't know if that ever actually happened, but that was their mindset. And if the homeowners came back, their stuff would still be there (minus a few eggs, etc.). I can't even imagine that nowadays in any place except maybe Alaska or the Klondike. Thanks for your comment -- I read it with interest!
Andre, you get a heart for your wonderful comment!
@@EmersusTech i never knew what a locked door was untill i moved to study in Montreal , dam i was happy to go back home at end of year , i still dont lock my door , neighbors look out for each other but i notice change with new home owners , just hope the cow dung wakes them up .
Three Veterans in my family. WWI started July 28, 1914. Canada joined August 4. WWII started September 1, 1939. Canadians joined September 10th. They take war seriously. The orders were take no prisoners. Treat civilians... civally. They did.
musqwatrax, thank you for their service and for commenting!
Fun fact, thousands of Americans went to Canada 🇨🇦 in WW1 to join the Canadian military and go fight. Since it wouldnt be until 1917 that the U.S decided to join the fight. Also, 50,000 Canadians faught in the American civil war moast for the North but, alot for the South too. 30,000 Canadians joined the U.S army during Vietnam war.
Steve, I knew about the Americans going to Canada to fight in WW1. I never looked up the numbers for the American Civil War. I definitely didn't know that about the Vietnam War! Thank you for taking the time to comment and for watching.
Steve, you get a heart!
That's why we're so nice today. We got all our anger out during the wars.
Colin Mackay, that's one way of looking at it! Thanks for your comment!
As a grandson of a first world War one vet... my expression from my grandfather was....
- it wasn't our War
- we as Canadians we're used for the British as genuine pigs to find weak points, put in places we're the Germany would attack next,used as the next offensive.
As much I would complain about Canadian forces.... our last province that join confederation was Newfoundland..... you should be doing their story. They we're still a part of the king's domain! ..... probably gave them the reason join the Canada as our last province.
SonOfFreedom, yes, I actually thought about creating a video about Newfoundland and in my research I found out about a lot of corruption and there was even talk about Newfis joining the United States! It would've made an odd video, so for the time being I dropped it. Thanks for watching and your comment!
The bulk of our soldiers were volunteers. Conscription only came in later and in a limited way. This is a Canadian tradition.
Jennifer, thank you for contributing your input!
As I understand it, the Canadian boys were tough because many (most?) of them were raised on farms or had spent a great deal of time living outdoors. Camping, hiking, shooting and dealing with foul weather was nothing new to them.
I'm sure this has been looked at in other videos, and it is difficult to separate the truth from the fiction. Firstly, the Canadian contribution, along with the ANZACS, was vital. They didn't win the war, but Britain probably wouldn't have succeeded without them. 60,000 Canadians lost their lives fighting in WW1, and 704,000 British soldiers lost their lives.
Like the ANZACS, most Canadians in WW1 were volunteers, far more enthusiastic therefore than large chunks of the British and French Army who were conscripts - just as the Russians are finding now in Ukraine. British Commanders and Captain's generally agreed that the expanded British Army, which was small but highly professional initially, comprised of one-third 'always reliable' divisions - including the Professional Army - the BEF, notably certain divisions like the Guards Brigade, 2nd, 7th, 29th, 51st and the Commonwealth troops, one-third 'steady but inconsistent', and one-third unreliable in all situations. Hence, certain British divisions and the volunteer commonwealth troops were regularly used at the coalface, as a spearhead in important operations because they were very reliable and effective. Not because their lives were viewed as less important.
But it is hard to find any material to suggest Canadians were specifically considered Storm-troopers or Shock-troops by the Germans, night-raids were frequently used towards the end of the war by many allied troops as tactics evolved and it became important to try to attack the enemy under the cover of darkness rather than in daylight over open ground. The most common German remark about the Canadians was the way they took no prisoners and liberally used gas.
As for the character of the Canadian troops being shaped by their barren home existence, this may be partly true, but then most Canadian troops in WW1 were from working-class urban areas, like the Brits. Only 5% came from agricultural backgrounds, and in fact 65% - 70% of Canadian troops at Vimy in 1917 were British-born lads, so were they really any different, other than being enthusiastic volunteers compared to reluctant conscripts? They were better than the large British 'conscript' divisions undoubtedly, and possibly on average healthier than the notoriously malnourished British soldier who on average weighed just 8 stone upon conscription, yet over a year put on a stone on average despite hard physical training simply because they were being fed properly.
Also, privates from the Canadians, Americans, and ANZACS, and elite British units like the Guards Brigade were referred to as the "5-bob fuckers" (each paid between 5 - 6 shillings a month) by the poorly paid-Tommy privates, who only received one shilling a month in comparison. Pay may not seem relevant, but it demoralised the British soldiers who couldn't even buy local produce in France or Belgium if Canadians and ANZACS were around, as prices for local produce would suddenly be put up. The average British conscript wasn't very highly-motivated, I am sure that is true.
In terms of Canadian performance, well initially it was deemed as "adequate" at the Somme in 1916, but when Currie and/or Bing had influence and took control and hence were not under the influence of Haig, things definitely took an upturn. Under the innovative Currie, the Canadians were taken out of the front line and able to plan and train thoroughly for specific operations, though contrary to popular opinion, they did not individually develop new techniques such as creeping barrage, this was something learnt in conjunction with the British through the harsh lessons from earlier battles notably the Somme.
A distinct advantage enjoyed by the Canadians was that an average Canadian division was 50% larger than an average British one, and had 50% more engineers to prepare battles and more artillery back-up. Currie placed huge emphasis on battle-preparation and valued his engineers immensely. By 1917 they had one vickers-type machine gun to every 13 men, whereas the British divisions had to fight with just one machine gun to every 61 men. The week before the assault on Vimy Ridge, it was preceded by what the Germans called the "week of suffering" - in fact around twenty days of the heaviest artillery involving one million shells - more than three times what had ever been afforded to any British division, prior to an operation. This bombardment knocked out 183 out of 217 German defensive guns, making Vimy an entirely different prospect to attack. This does not mean the Canadians do not deserve immense credit for their efforts and bravery, but there were reasons why they succeeded where the British, ANZACS, and notably the French had previously failed. They were fully prepared and trained (5 weeks training prior to the attack) and hence the troops were heavily invested in the operation, well-prepared and very lavishly armed - and very brave of course. 97,000 Canadians took Vimy but do remember there were also 70,000 British there, as well as the majority of the actual Canadians present being British-born.
Their contribution in the Last 100 Days of WW1 was also critical, so much so that the British PM and the British press rightly praised, and eulogised over the Canadians.
Peter Simkins of IWM assessed offensive Operations by all British divisions during this time period, studying official records when offensive operations were opposed by the Germans. Only 10 of 56 British divisions had as good attack records as the Canadians, and 46 had worse records. For example, the 'successful opposed-attack' record of the much larger Canadian Divisions was 72.5 per cent, and well above that of the New Zealand Division at 64.5 per cent. But two British divisions - the 19th Western Division and 66th Division (both comprising mainly soldiers from north-west and midlands of England) had success rates of 100 per cent, and the 9th Division (Scottish) had a success rate of 93 per cent, this last averaged out over fourteen separate attacks. The 24th Division (London and also East Anglia) racked up an 85 per cent success rate and the 16th Division (Irish) 80 per cent. Five more British Divisions - Guards Division (Coldstream, Grenadier, Irish, and Welsh Guards), 18th Eastern Division (London, Home Counties, East Anglia, and South Midlands), 24th Division (London area), 34th Division (Northumberland and Tyneside), and 38th (Welsh) also had attack records of between 70-80% success. But.........the other 46 British divisions had lower success rates, and some much lower. It is not an exact science, as Simkins admits, because elite divisions like Guards Brigade, 9th Division, ANZACS, and Canadians often had the toughest assignments. But proportionately, the British lost as large a proportion of troops in WW1 as the Commonwealth armies, so the accusation is arguably unfounded.
The Canadian contribution, as in WW2, was fantastic, but they were not really some sort of northern-supermen, as sometimes proposed on youtube. They were very good, fit and strong, reliable and proud soldiers, but critically they were led by innovative Commanders who involved his men in thorough preparation and training. Their contribution, as with the ANZACS, the Indians, the South Africans, the Poles, Czechs, Free-French etc, will never be forgotten.
Nicholas Moss, as always, thank you for your contribution! You get a heart!
thanks for the great read
@@ashdobbs7492 As the producer knows, I just like to quantify / proportionalise things before exaggerations are made.
The materials come from vets themselves bud, the Germans didn't call them shock troopers, storm troopers are basically shock troopers, but German. They called them storm troopers because they perform like one, as hard hitters.
Lastly "65% of Canadian troops at Vimy ridge 1917 were British -born lads, so were they any really any different" yes they were, because they had different leadership and entirely used different tactics and different training strategies. Which made them different from everyone else.
As the quote goes " we went up Vimy ridge as Albertans and Nova Scotians.
*We came down as Canadians*
- unknown veteran
It says unknown vet, because the person didn't want to be revealed.
In conclusion, having a different nationality isn't super important, but fighting for a nation is what makes you feel you belong to that nation in the end.
Correct. All Australian troops were volunteers and the Australian nation suffered dearly from it's small population, 66 000 war dead. Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, brothers in arms.
My Dad fought in WW2, all the way from Normandy beach, D-Day plus 6 (12 June, 1944) right up into Holland. On his way, he witnessed the horrors of war, how women were raped, old men bullied and slaughtered, peasants robbed and deprived of basic food. When Canadians reached Holland, they were stretched beyond capacity. My Dad said, 'When you have fifty men with you, and you have 250 Germans surrender to you, not knowing when the Limeys (British) would relieve you with fresh supplies and soldiers, we had no choice but to shoot them behind the barn." The Dutch have nothing but high praise for the Canadian soldiers. War and soldiery is deadly, don't kid yourself. The enemy wants to kill you too. Canadians have no illusions about it.
M L, thank you for your comment and watching!
I am a proud Canadian. Most of my family served from World War I World War II Korean War and Bosnia. I couldn't join back in 02. Great video. Well done.
Mark, thank you for your compliment! For this, you get a heart!
The canadian winter does something to us toughens us up and builds up frustration
Craycray8, I imagine it would! :) Thanks for your comment!
Interesting, my father was captured at Ypres during the first mustard gas attack in 1915 returned home in 1920 to Toronto, he never would share his stories but hid in his case of Labatt 50
Douglas, if you don't mind -- could you give your age? Even if your father started had you in 1930, you'd be 93 now. Thanks for your contribution! You get a heart!
Chlorine gas. Mustard gas didn’t come until 1918
Chlorine gas. Mustard gas didn’t come until 1918
The general standing order in the Canadian army in both WW1 and WW2 was: " Take no prisoners unless ordered, leave no enemy alive behind you. "
I've seen American training films that hinted at exactly that for American soldiers without actually telling them.
Alan Macphail, that doesn't totally surprise me about the films hinting at things. Back in the 40s, they hinted at a lot in the movies, but nothing shown. A child wouldn't understand, but an adult would. Thank you for your comment and watching!
just as a FYI we were still doing bayonet drills in the mid 80s... we were also informed that prisoners were not preferred as we did not have the ability to handle them and remain combat effective. So you can avoid them or...
I lost two relatives in trench raids, they were never found, were still not polite if brought to it!
James, thank you for taking the time to comment after watching the video!
Another element to consider is that World War I was the first real expression of a Canadian identity, distinct from Britain. There's a quote about Vimy Ridge that's something like "We went up that ridge Englishmen and came down it Canadians." This emerging Canadian identity means that there was a lot more people proudly declaring "I'm not British / American, I'm Canadian" and the net effect may have been simply that other forces were much more likely to *notice* a group of Canadians.
But it also has to be remembered that in 1914, prejudice that today we'd describe as "racism" targeted anyone who wasn't English or maybe Scots, and like most of the European and European-colonised world, early Twentieth Century Canada was extremely and overtly racist. Prewar, most of that prejudice landed on people of Slavic descent (well, *most* of it landed on Indigenous people just like today, but Poles and Ukrainians were very openly targeted) but Germans weren't treated a whole lot better. Heck, in 1896 there was a massive constitutional crisis over the question of whether German immigrants could teach their kinds in German, and this blew up so big it almost broke Confederation! When the war broke out, all that racism and prejudice focused down on Germans. So we have to acknowledge that, just like Indigenous and Black people today, Germans faced excessive violence *in* Canada during the war years, and those attitudes crossed the Atlantic to the battleground.
Finally, I need to quibble about your conflating Canada's rep for trench raids and Canada's characterisation as "storm troopers" or "shock troopers." Both statements are true, but the attributes required for them are very different. Trench raiding was subtle, stealthy, and fast. Shock troops needed to be willing to keep going in the face of heavy fire. Being good at one really didn't make you good at the other, and if you read first-person accounts, part of the reason so many Canadian troops and units volunteered for trench raids was that meant they *didn't* have to be first "over the top." The "Shock troops" reputation was largely earnt at the beginning of the war when the British Empire generals drew heavily on the Canadian and Australian units for initial assaults - mostly because the Dominion forces had more troops per unit. Or at least, such is my recollection; I concede it's been a bit since I studied this.
davydatwood, thank you for your lengthy and detailed comment! I appreciate your differentiation between storm troopers and shock troopers! For this, you get a heart!