The greatest victory : Canada's one hundred days, 1918 / J.L. Granatstein.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Granatstein, J. L., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Canada. Canadian Army. Canadian Corps--History.

Canada.

Canada. Canadian Army--History--World War, 1914-1918.

Canada. Canadian Army.

Canada. Canadian Army. Canadian Corps.

World War, 1914-1918--Regimental histories--Canada.

World War, 1914-1918.

World War, 1914-1918--Campaigns--Western Front.

Currie, Arthur, Sir, 1875-1933.

Currie, Arthur.

Military art and science--Canada--History--20th century.

Military art and science.

World War, 1914-1918--Canada.

History.

Physical Description:

xiv, 216 pages : illustrations, maps ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Don Mills, Ontario : Oxford University Press, 2014.

Summary:

The Symbol of Canadian sacrifice and success in World War 1 is the Monument at Vimy Ridge. The reality, however, is that while Vimy boosted morale, it cost many lives and was of limited strategic significance. Award-winning historian J.L. Granatstein's fast-paced and compelling account of the real success leading to the German defeat is told here: the Canadian-led Hundred Days' offensive, beginning on August 8, 1918 and ending with the Armistice on November 11. By 1918, Canadian soldiers were tough, experiences, well-led fighters the "shock troops" of the Allied forces. Granatstein recounts how the Canadian Corps led a series of attacks on the Western Front, assaulting German positions at Amiens, The Drocourt-Quéant line, the Canal du Nord, Valenciennes and Mons. The narrative draws on soldiers' own descriptions of their experiences, using new material that has only recently become available, and also contains colour artwork as well as original black and white photography. These Canadian-led assaults changed the nature of Allied fighting from static defensive positions to a war of mobility, technology, and skilled co-ordination. The Greatest Victory describes the intense preparations that included training, from individual to division exercises; careful analysis of "lessons learned", studies; expansion of the role of signallers, gunners and engineers; and the perfection of techniques like the "creeping barrage". General Sir Arthur Currie, Commander of the Canadian Corps, trained his soldiers to use "fire and movement" and to work with tanks, artillery, and aircraft. Granatstein's account is riveting, detailing alongside the success of Canadian efforts the high costs of battle. While Vimy was undoubtedly an important battle, Granatstein's account of the Hundred Days will become the new narrative of Canada's extraordinary role in the last phase of the Great War, a story of sacrifice and success, of challenging combat and intelligent coordination, that would change the face of warfare forever. Book jacket.

Contents:

1 Amiens, August 8, 1918 1

2 Canada and the War 42

3 Breaking the Drocourt-Quéant Line 88

4 Crossing the Canal du Nord and Taking Cambrai 115

5 Valenciennes and Mons 150

6 To Germany and Home 183.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780199009312

0199009317

OCLC:

874205602