A military history feature from Canada’s History magazine.

The Battle of Amiens, August 8, 1918

The Hundred Days Offensive

Over the final month of the First World War, the Canadians would liberate the French cities of Cambrai and Valenciennes and, pushing a further seventy-five kilometres, reach the Belgian city of Mons. All told, the last hundred days of the war, including the Battle of Amiens and the Battle of Arras, cost the Canadians more than 45,000 dead and wounded, a staggering total. The soldiers’ sacrifice was critical to ending the war against Germany.

John Oliver

John Oliver was a stretcher-bearer with the 139th Machine Gun Battalion. In Arras, his unit was in the houses on one side of the street and the German soldiers were on the other side.
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James Herbert Gibson

The injuries James Gibson suffered at Arras prevented him from carrying on his family’s farming tradition. The German gunfire smashed three of his ribs and damaged his lungs.
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Thorarinn Finnbogason & Bjorn “Bud” Christianson

Arm in arm at Arras, Christianson carried the wounded soldier across the cacophony of mud away from the front, perhaps saving young Finnbogason’s life. Learn more

Hugh Cairns

In November 1918 Hugh Cairns launched a one-man assault, killing 12 Germans and capturing 18 more — checking the enemy’s advance. Learn more

A Father’s Grief

The Case of Captain Robert Bartholomew: Although many historical studies of the First World War have detailed the psychological stress and trauma endured by frontline soldiers, more research is also needed into the mental and emotional effect of the war on those on the home front. Read more

Died 100 Years Ago

June 9, 1918

Joseph Kaeble was fatally wounded while defending a strong raid attempt.

August 1918

Laurence Edward Fry was killed on or around the fourth day of the Battle of Amiens.

August 1918

John MacDonald was killed in the Battle of Arras.

September 2, 1918

Edmund Earle Ingalls was killed in Arras, France.

October 1, 1918

Roderick Ogle Bell-Irving was caught in a German counter-attack and was killed.

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