Canada's Role In World War One
When Britain called on Canada to help in World War One, Canadians dutifully volunteered. Many Canadians thought that this would be a glamorous adventure that they could not miss. However, Canadians were in for a rude awakening as this glamorous adventure turned out to be more than they bargained for. This was a new kind of war, one that cost Canadians dearly. Poor organization among troops, appalling war conditions Canadians endured and lack of effective leadership that did not support the best interests of Canadian troops all contributed to the pointless suffering Canadians endured in this supposed glamorous adventure. <br><br>In the beginning, the poor organization among the troops resulted in some of the mishaps that occurred in battle.
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As a result of the wet and dirty conditions, many soldiers got trench foot'. "Their feet swelled up to two or three times their normal size and went numb but when the swelling went down, the pain was agonizing. If gangrene set in, the soldiers' feet and legs were amputated" (Newman 141). Soldiers were expected to patrol in sometimes knee-deep trenches with only the large, clumsy boots provided. Their feet were always cold and wet, basically meaning they were in constant discomfort. Many Canadians were committed to battles in which they had no chance of surviving and those who survived, watched others die. "Of 801 men who went into battle only sixty-eight unwounded men answered roll call the next day." (Giesler 2). Many of these battles were just meat grinders' in which the soldiers were the meat. These horrendous conditions and experiences provide further evidence to Canadians' misconception of the war.<br><br>The lack of effective leadership that did not support Canadian troops also resulted in some of the misery that they endured. The Ross rifle was not ideal for the trench fighting soldier because in some cases soldiers literally had to kick the firing mechanism to get it
As a result of the wet and dirty conditions, many soldiers got trench foot'. "Their feet swelled up to two or three times their normal size and went numb but when the swelling went down, the pain was agonizing. If gangrene set in, the soldiers' feet and legs were amputated" (Newman 141). Soldiers were expected to patrol in sometimes knee-deep trenches with only the large, clumsy boots provided. Their feet were always cold and wet, basically meaning they were in constant discomfort. Many Canadians were committed to battles in which they had no chance of surviving and those who survived, watched others die. "Of 801 men who went into battle only sixty-eight unwounded men answered roll call the next day." (Giesler 2). Many of these battles were just meat grinders' in which the soldiers were the meat. These horrendous conditions and experiences provide further evidence to Canadians' misconception of the war.<br><br>The lack of effective leadership that did not support Canadian troops also resulted in some of the misery that they endured. The Ross rifle was not ideal for the trench fighting soldier because in some cases soldiers literally had to kick the firing mechanism to get it