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The end of the First World War: Monday, November 11, 1918; a day to be remembered forever.
First observed throughout the British commonwealth and known as Armistice Day. Commemorating the armistice agreement that ended the First World War.
More than 2,300,000 Canadians served in our nation's history and more than the 118,000 soldiers that gave their lives. We thank them and reflect. As well as thanks to those who did not fight in the war, but continued to serve our country by keeping it running.
Those that returned from war were never the same. They had to live with the scars of war, both mentally and physically.
Their sacrifices will not go unnoticed, they died for Canada and a future they believed in. We wear a poppy as a symbol for this day.
The First World War:
Ypres, France, on April 22, 1915. The Canadians first major battle. The Germans used poison gas, about 150 tonnes of chlorine gas drifted over the trenches. Canadian troops stopped the German advance despite losing 1/3 of Canadians.
Riffles and bayonets were no match for German machine guns.
In April 1917. The Canadians won the major victory of Vimy Ridge. Although losing more than 10,000 soldiers and the war still continued for another year. Finally, on November 11, 1918, the armistice was signed.
Throughout this conflict, the Canadians earned a new place for Canada among the nations of the world.
The Second World War:
1939-1945
Canadians fought on battlefronts across the world with over 1 million soldiers enlisted in the navy, the army and the Air Force. More than 42,000 gave their lives. With Canadians doing their part on the home front as well.
December 1941, the unsuccessful defence of Hong Kong against the Japanese. Almost 500 were wounded and 557 were killed in battle or POW (Prisoners of war) who faced horrible conditions.
August 19, 1942, Battle of Dieppe. A disastrous raid, with 3,367 soldiers wounded, killed or POW out of 4,963 soldiers. “The beach was a shambles, and a lot of our men from the second wave were lying there either wounded or dead. Some of the wounded were swimming out to meet our flotilla and the sea was red with their blood. Some sank and disappeared. We stood by as they died, powerless to help; we were there to fight, not to pick up the drowning and the wounded.”
Canadians played an essential role in the war as it continued. 1943, the conquest of Sicily, the Canadians defeated the Nazis in Italy.
June 6, 1944, D-Day. May 1945 V-E Day, victory in Europe. August 6, 1945, the US dropped a bomb on Hiroshima and 3 days later a second bomb destroyed Nagasaki.
August 14, 1945, the Japanese accepted the Allied terms of unconditional surrender.
The Korean War:
1950-1953
Canadian soldiers were mobilized on behalf of our alliance with the UN to defend South Korea against an invasion by North Korea. In Korea, there were difficult conditions, harsh weather, rough terrain and a skillful and elusive enemy.
Where they lived 24 hours a day in trenches with some protection but very little comfort.
26,791 soldiers and another 7,000 between the cease-fire served in the Korean War. And 1,558 casualties, 516 fatal.
We can now remember and reflect by taking a moment of silence
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