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It was supposed to be "The War to End All Wars." It wasn't. The Somme war was an unessesary battle, in a war thats purpose didn't even get accomplished. The negative things overshadowed any of the posative events that actually occured during the fight and it ended up being a ruthless slaughter. "For a gain of a mere 2 miles, more than 8000 Canadians died."<1> Even with the allies being able to win a few feet of land, they were always in a "take 1 step up, 2 steps back" situation, and ended up having to pay for thier victory with the lives of men. The first day of The Somme foreshadowed the entire battle. Canada and it's allies weren't able to change their way of thinking, even with the advancements in technology and strategy at the time, it turned out to be the bloodiest first day of battle ever. "This deathly battle, despite all the casualties, continued for the next five months. Throughout the 141 days of battle, there was an estimated 1,632 dead for the French, 3 360 for the British and 5,360 for the Germans per day" <2>
In the end, the battle of somme cost Canada 24,029 casualties, but it was here that the Canadians earned a reputation as hardworking, loyal, and trust worthy soliders. In a quote, taken from British Prime Minister David Lloyd George's memoirs, he comments on the Canadians determined efforts in the war. "The Canadians played a part of such distinction that thenceforward they were marked out as storm troops; for the remainder of the way they were brought along to head the assault in one great battle after another. Whenever the Germans found the Canadian Corps coming into the line they prepared for the worst."<3> |
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