A century ago on this date, 9 August 1914, the first Britain troops landed in France, at Boulogue and Le Havre. It's sometimes forgotten that over 33,000 UK servicemen were killed in 1914, before any Canadian troops landed in France.
Not sure what prompts your comment, John. It was not Canada's war, but having been pressed in, we surely got there as fast as we could. And many (most?) decisions about timing, training, deployment, strategy, etc. were not ours to make. Back to the beginnnings - here is an article about 'the first shot' of 1914: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwone/firstshot_01.shtml
Diane - I was not aware there was such a large loss of life in the early months of the war before Canada's troops arrived in France. Perhaps that's my ignorance! As to it not being Canada's war - that was not the attitude of Canada's government of the day nor the tens of thousands who joined up for the CEF.
Not sure what prompts your comment, John. It was not Canada's war, but having been pressed in, we surely got there as fast as we could. And many (most?) decisions about timing, training, deployment, strategy, etc. were not ours to make.
ReplyDeleteBack to the beginnnings - here is an article about 'the first shot' of 1914: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwone/firstshot_01.shtml
Diane - I was not aware there was such a large loss of life in the early months of the war before Canada's troops arrived in France. Perhaps that's my ignorance!
ReplyDeleteAs to it not being Canada's war - that was not the attitude of Canada's government of the day nor the tens of thousands who joined up for the CEF.