The Final 100 Days - August 19, 1918

89 Days Until Armistice

The plans were in motion. The next strike made by the Allies would be in the Arras region – one that the Canadians were familiar with. The previous years’ offensives in Arras saw the Corps come together as one and capture Vimy Ridge, in a battle considered to have forged a national identity. A year of battle had neither diminished nor dimmed that national identity, only strengthening it, as the Canadians began being driven by bus and taken by train northwards to join the British First Army in the sector.

The Final 100 Days - August 18, 2018

90 Days Until Armistice

The Allies and their constituent forces were in a tight spot. The surprise assault at Amiens had routed the German Army – but although they had been beaten, they had not been broken. The stabilization of German defenses meant the Allies could no longer achieve the same successes they had achieved on the 8th of August, and that (in the words of Sir Arthur Currie) restarting the operation would “cost a great many casualties”. It was apparent that the campaign must continue, but within a different sector on the Western Front.

While the French First Army (under General Marie-Eugene Debeney) and British Fourth Army under Henry Rawlinson would keep the German forces occupied in the Roye region, the might of the Allies would be unleashed on a less-suspecting, less-prepared region. On the 18th, plans were finalized. A French offensive just north of the Aisne River would be supported by British forces, on familiar ground – Arras.

The Final 100 Days - August 17, 1918

91 Days until Armistice

As operations wound down in the Amiens area, mopping up operations moved to secure their final objectives and create a firm front line. Daybreak on August 17th, 1918 saw the Corps make final attempts to capture Fresnoy-les-Roye – though they would abandon the objective by the end of the day. Although the routing of German forces from the area could be considered a minor success, the mounting difficulty of conducting operations in the area illustrated the futility of undertaking any further actions. Though the cities of Chaulnes and Roye lay just beyond the Corps’ newly established front lines, it would fall to the French Army to capture them.

The Final 100 Days - August 16, 1918

93 Days until Armistice

As Allied High Command continued preparations for a new offensive, the British Expeditionary Force and its contingent corps remaining German forces. The recently recaptured town of Damery served as an operations hub for assaults on the villages of La Chavatte & Fresnoy. General Arthur Currie ordered elements of the 1st Canadian Division to occupy Fransart – a small town located just north of La Chavatte. The 13th “Royal Highlanders” Battalion made 3 separate attempts to capture La Chavatte, but 8 continuous days of fighting had taken their toll on the Corps. Probing assaults on Fresnoy were repelled as well.

The Final 100 Days - August 15, 1918

 94 Days to Armistice

The end of a campaign usually meant rest for the troops that had participated. However, he Canadian Corps were not awarded that luxury after their victory at Amiens. A near 20 kilometer gain in the area had proven the potential of well planned, well-coordinated “shock offence” .Although Allied Supreme Commander Ferdinand Foch had ordered the continuation of the Amiens offensive, the prospect of further casualties kept B.E.F Commander Douglas Haig from fully committing. Still, the Canadian Corps made tactful thrusts through the line. The previous day had seen contingents of the 3rd Division capture Parvillers – and further success followed. The 15th of August saw a foothold in Damery hold firm against and fierce German counterattacks and incessant shelling. 

The Final 100 Days - August 14, 1918

94 Days to Armistice

The Amiens campaign, while resoundingly successful, had demanded much from the Allies – and the Canadians were no exception. The Corps took 11,822 casualties through the 6 days of fighting, illustrating the price paid for ground gained. However, an influx of returning (formerly wounded) soldiers and conscripts from Canada soon joined the Corps at the front. The Canadians were quickly back up to full strength and ready to finish the fight.

Although considered small relative to other nations’ armies, the Canadian Corps still numbered over 100,000 strong. Dispersed between 4 divisions, the tall task of supplying the corps logistical needs fell to the Canadian Engineers. For instance, within the 6 day preparation period preceding the Amiens offensive, the engineers moved millions of rounds of ammunition and nearly 300,000 artillery rounds to the front. As the Allies continued their rapid thrust through the last 100 Days of the war, the engineers played a pivotal role in keeping the advance pushing forward.

Over 40,000 Canadians served as engineers during the First World War. As No Stone Left Alone prepares commemorate the centennial year of the Armistice, we also commemorate those who fought and died for Canada during the First World War.

The Final 100 Days - August 13, 1918

95 Days to Armistice

The close of battle at Amiens left the Allies with nowhere to go but forward. Like the day before, the advancing Canadian Corps clashed with the German Army around the villages of Fouquescourt and Parvillers. Days between major engagements saw soldiers engaged in brutal fighting over the smallest scraps of territory. A joint assault on Parvillers carried out by the Princess Patricia’s Light Infantry and the 42nd Battalion saw 4 days of attacks, retreats, counterattacks, and flanking maneuvers before the Canadians captured the town. But little rest could be afforded to the Canadians. The capture of Parvillers only meant a new task the next day – but if any force could bear this burden, it was the Canadian Corps.

Sergeant Robert Spall was awarded the Victoria Cross for heroic actions on this day, at Parvillers.  With his platoon isolated following German counterattacks, Sgt. Spall manned a Lewis gun and ordered them to move. While holding off the enemy saved the lives of his men, it claimed his. His body was never recovered – he is commemorated at the Vimy Memorial, with 11,000 of his fellow countrymen.

The Edmonton Pipe and Drums

The Great War was Canada’s first act on the world’s stage. Like each nation at war, certain stereotypes emerged as members of the Canadian Corps fought and died across the world. By war’s end, a strong picture of Canadians had emerged - that of “The Canuck”.

The picture of a “rugged colonial” is personified in the Canadian Canuck. From the rocky coasts of the Maritimes, the industrial heartland of Ontario, wide expanses of farmland on the Prairies, and the timbered coastline of British Columbia, the Canadian identity is defined by rough conditions and rugged frontiersmen.

However strongly these men identified with the Canadian identity, they never forgot their roots. Just a week removed from the outbreak of war, some members of the Edmonton Police Force decided to enlist as a pipe and drum band. 

Pipers has served in the ranks of the United Kingdom, even before the union of Scotland and England in 1707. Historically, pipers were used to signal Calvary and infantry movements. In the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, Scottish regiments revived the art, steeling the nerves of men heading into battle. 

The initiative came just a few days following Britain’s declaration of war on Germany. As a British dominion, Canada declared war whenever and against whomever Britain did. 

On August 12th, 1914, 12 men of the Edmonton Caledonian Pipe Band joined the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Regiment. Led by Pipe-Major John Colville, the men appeared in full highland dress, announcing they were there to, as he put it; 

“... to play the Battalion to France and back”.

And play they did. Pipers were the first over the top, playing the regimental march “All Blue Bonnets Are Over the Border”, spurring both anxious and excited soldiers over the top. 

But they were no mere pipers. In addition to playing the men into battle, the Pipe and Drummers acted as stretcher bearers - rescuing the same men whom they had just sent off. Both tasks were made much more treacherous by the fact the members were unarmed while performing both duties. 

In the face of immeasurable danger, distress, and despair, the men of the Edmonton Pipe and Drums acted with valour. 

Sergeant John MacDonald, Piper Jock Robertson and Drummer William Miller were each awarded the Distinguished Combat Medal, typically awarded for “distinguished, gallant, and good conduct in the field”.

Sergeant John Ritchie was also awarded the Meritorious Service Medal - the name describing the actions performed to earn the medal itself. 

Following the end of the war, and prior to their demobilization, the men of the Pipe and Drums performed at the wedding of their regiment’s namesake, Princess Patricia. Afterwards, the men were demobilized, and returned to their civilian lives - though the pipes would fall silent, a new generation would soon play them. 

In 1961, a new group descended from Scottish and Irish immigrants auditioned for then Chief of EPS M.F.E Anthony. Their performance impressed, and Anthony endorsed them as the official band of the Edmonton Police Service. 

Though they no longer pipe men into battle on foreign soil, the military history of the Edmonton Pipe and Drum band is etched deeply into their instruments. Alongside their historic partnership with the PPCLI, the band has forged close ties with the 49th Battalion, colloquially known at the Loyal Edmonton Regiment, the Airborne Regiment, and the HCMS Edmonton.

The pipes of the past permeate the present. No Stone Left Alone is proud to work with the Edmonton Pipe and Drum band, as we both participate in our November 5th Ceremony at Beechmount Cemetery. 

The Final 100 Days - August 12, 1918

96 Days Until Armistice

Amiens

The 12th of August was a day for recalibration along the Western Front. Despite the deep advances made by the Allies over the past three days, a stiffened defense caused more and more casualties day over day. General Douglas Haig called off the offensive to spare the lives of his soldiers, and keep them ready for a more sustained assault later in the month.

On the Canadian Front, initial attempts were made to shatter the trench system just beyond Amiens. Located between the villages of Fouquescourt and Parvillers, the German Army had dug in deep, meaning it would be no easy task for the attacking Canadians. The first day of battle saw around 1.5 kilometers captured by the Corps.

For his actions, Pte. Thomas Dinesen was awarded the Victoria Cross. Capturing 5 machine gun nests and engaging the enemy for over 10 hours, the acts of Pte. Dinesen were truly commendable. Although surviving the war and being buried in his native Denmark, No Stone Left Alone hopes to commemorate Dinesen and other heroes of the Great War this Centennial year.

The Final 100 Days - August 11, 1918

97 Days Until Armistice

Amiens

Three months removed from the signing of the Armistice, the battle for Amiens drew to a close. 3 days of consistent and determined fighting had sapped much strength from the Canadian Corps, but drew darker conclusions for the German Army. Following the battle, the German Army High Command accepted they had lost the war on the Western Front. Around 30,000 German soldiers had surrendered, in addition to 45,000 further casualties – though the Allies suffered their share as well.

With a new front line drawn, the Canadians were ready to continue their push and their attempt to shatter the German line. Combined casualties of around 11,800 battered the Corps, but didn’t break it. General Currie had preliminary plans for a continued push, but immediate plans were drawn to assault the villages of Fouquescourt and Parvillers.

Acts of heroism took place every day throughout the First World War, but very few were recognized – although that does not discount the ones that were. Victoria Crosses were awarded to 8 members of the Canadian Corps through the course of the battle, 5 posthumously.  This year, No Stone Left Alone works to honour the memories of these heroes, and to hopefully place a poppy on each of their headstones.