The Second Battle of Ypres was fought between April 22 and May 25, 1915, in the Ypres salient in Belgium during World War I. It was a significant battle that saw the participation of several units from both the Allied and German forces. In this essay, we will delve into the details of the Second Battle of Ypres, the units that participated, and the impact it had on the course of the war.

The battle was initiated by the German army, which aimed to break through the Allied lines and reach the English Channel. The Germans used a new weapon, poison gas, for the first time in this battle, resulting in the death of thousands of Allied soldiers.

The Allied forces, including French, British, and Canadian troops, were holding the line in the Ypres salient. The Canadian troops had recently arrived in the region and were new to the fighting, and the Germans aimed to exploit this weakness in the Allied defenses.

The German offensive started with a massive artillery bombardment, followed by the release of poison gas on the Allied positions. The gas caused panic among the Allied soldiers, who were unprepared for this new weapon. The Germans managed to break through the Allied lines and gain significant ground, advancing up to five miles within a few days.

The Canadian troops were deployed to plug the gap in the Allied lines and prevent further German advances. They launched several counterattacks to push back the German forces, resulting in fierce fighting. The Canadians, under heavy artillery fire and gas attacks, managed to hold their ground and prevent the Germans from reaching the English Channel.

The battle saw the participation of several units from both sides, including the German 4th Army, led by Crown Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria, and the Allied forces, including the British 27th and 28th Divisions, the French 45th and 87th Divisions, and the Canadian 1st Division.

The Second Battle of Ypres was a significant turning point in the war. The use of poison gas marked a new phase in the conflict, and the battle demonstrated the importance of chemical warfare in the First World War. The battle also highlighted the effectiveness of the Canadian troops, who had managed to hold their ground despite being new to the fighting.

The battle ended with the Germans being unable to achieve their objective of reaching the English Channel. The Allies managed to hold on to their positions, but at a heavy cost. The battle resulted in over 100,000 casualties on both sides, with the Canadian forces suffering over 6,000 deaths and injuries.

In conclusion, the Second Battle of Ypres was a significant battle fought during World War I. The battle saw the participation of several units from both the Allied and German forces, with the Germans using poison gas for the first time in the conflict. The battle highlighted the importance of chemical warfare in the war and demonstrated the effectiveness of the Canadian troops. The battle resulted in heavy casualties on both sides and marked a significant turning point in the war.