Hey guys,
I've been meaning to post a few pictures and some details about this rifle for a while now, though life has gotten in the way it seems. I've always had a passion for history, and of course being recently retired military myself, a passion of military history in particular. In the past year or so I've taken more of interest in WWI history, and of course being specifically interested in the firearms and lived experiences of those who were there. I was fortunate enough to pick up my first Imperial German firearm this past fall off a great board member here, and figured I would share some photo's of the rifle, some of the history I've read about and some imagery that accompanies it as I've always enjoyed reading the posts of others who have done the same. I used to do a lot of range reports when I had more time, and this will be my first "longer" milsurp post in a while.
I have been looking for an Imperial German Gewehr 98 rifle for a long time, but when I came across this rifle for sale, I decided to "jump on it" to fill a collection gap until a nice Gewehr came along. The more I read and learn about this model of firearm, the more I am inclined to keep it for what it is - an amazing piece of German, likely Canadian and military history from one of the darkest periods of Western military history. Though I am still looking for a Gewehr 98, I am exceptionally happy to be the caretaker of this rifle.
Before I begin with everything - I am not an expert, I am not claiming to be one and if there are any errors or omissions in any information I've posted, please correct me! The more we share and correct each other, the more we as a collecting community benefit. The information below is as correct as either I can find it or as I can remember
. Also please note that some of the information below has been taken from the Canadian Encyclopedia, "World War I" by DK publishing and veterans.gc.ca. Since I am not making any money off this post, I don't think its a problem, but wanted to state that not all of the words are "mine".
The Rifle
This particular rifle is an all-matching "z-block" 1917 Kar98az that was produced at the Erfurt arsenal in central Germany, which at the time was part of the Kingdom of Prussia (see below). Throughout the First World War, the arsenal in Erfurt would produce The Gewehr 98 rifle, the Kar98az carbine, the P08 "Luger" pistol and other arms for the German war machine.
This rifle is all matching down to the locking screws, stock, stock components, bolt components etc... This rifle features a later beech wood stock and stock disc with finger grooves, correct for 1917 and commonly referred to as a "third model" Kar98az. Several design elements and features of this model would be used in the development of the later used Kar98k carbine, which of course came into heavy use as the standard infantry arm of the Third Reich during the Second World War. Very fortunately, this rifle also came with a correct muzzle cover and proper Imperial Kar98az sling. This particular rifle has a very nice bore, though I have not shot it. The one detracting element from this rifle is the cracked stock, which has been repaired and seems quite stable. I am quite confident that I could shoot this rifle safely, though given that it is my only matching Kar98az, I am hesitant to do so given that its now 103 years old! I have a bolt mismatch G29/40 that I can shoot when I get a hankering to shoot a Mauser. The Germans literally stamped a majority of pieces of this rifle with either the full serial number or the last two digits, making even a tiny crack or break/replacement of even a small part a big detractor from value. I was also fortunate enough to locate original 1916 and 1917 dated German 7.92x57mm ammunition, which is exceptionally interesting in and of itself.
The rifle, shown with its original sling and 1916/1917 dated ammunition.
Very clear acceptance stamps on the stock
The History
The German Empire in 1914 consisted of 26 states: four kingdoms - Prussia, Bavaria, Saxony and Wurttemberg, six grand duchies, five duchies, seven principalities, three free cities and the former French provinces of Alsace and Lorraine.
https://flic.kr/p/2itzSie
The development of the Kar98az began prior to the First World War when it was determined that a firearm shorter and lighter than the standard Gewehr 98 rifle would be more practical for troops whose primary task wasn't forward fighting, though needed something more "usable" than a pistol (sound familiar to anyone interested in M1 carbines or those of us more recently with C8s?). Upon acceptance by elements of the Imperial German military, the Kar98az was initially issued to "second line" troops such as bicycle troops, pioneers/engineers, cavalry, machine gun troops, mortar/artillery crews etc... Like all carbines in history it seems, it quickly fell into favour however with front-line troops given its handy size and weight if they were able to acquire one...Much like our beloved C8 carbines today.
German Gun Crew - 1914
https://flic.kr/p/2hM4L96
German Madsen LMG Team. These LMGs would go on to be used quite heavily by the Stormtroopers. Note that Kar98az.
German Bicycle Soldier with a Kar98a. Likely an early photo.
https://flic.kr/p/2hM7rHq
German Trench Position - Almost Certainly a Staged Photo. You can tell the soldier on the right has a Kar98az given the curved bolt.
German soldiers pose with their carbines. Almost certainly a staged photo as well.
Here is an outstanding video with far more detail than I could give from the exceptional YouTube channel "C&Rsenal". I highly reccomend their videos for those interested in the First World War firearms.
Where this carbine particularly became "famous" during the First World War was with the elite German Stromtroopers or "Stoßtruppen", quite literally translated as "Shock Troops". The German Stoßtruppen were highly trained, specialized infantry soldiers that were predominantly used to conduct highly aggressive, fast acting infiltration tactics, designed to break and exploit gaps or weaknesses in the enemy's front-line trench positions. The development of Stormtrooper assault tactics began during the early/middle part of the war, given the highly static and logistically draining nature of trench warfare, especially on the Western front. Though the development began during this phase of the war, it wasn't until later in the war during the 1917-1918 time frame when the Stormtrooper tactics, units, weapons and methods were refined and unleashed upon the Allies.
Famous photograph of a German soldier with slung Kar98az. Note the muzzle protector. He seems quite young and exhausted. I think his expression paints a picture unto itself.
Heavily armed German soldiers. Likely Stormtroopers.
German Stormtroopers "in action". This is likely a training photo or staged given how close the photographer would have to be for such a shot (and the danger that comes with that). Note that Kar98az.
The Stormtrooper tactics were heavily influenced by a man named Captain (later Major) Rohr, who, building on his previous experiences on the front lines, favoured the use of smaller, squad sized fighting elements with support from coordinated, planned artillery and support weapons. The intent behind these fighting units was to use highly aggressive, fast moving troops who would, with supporting heavy weapons and artillery, close with and engage the enemy with hand grenades, rifle/carbine fire, SMG fire (later in the war) and close quarter weapons such as pistols, clubs, knives and bats. These units would pierce a "hole" in the defenders line and move in depth within the enemy's line to permit follow on infantry to exploit this gap and infil into the enemy line. These units were often lightly equipped with equipment, but were heavy on firepower often carrying several grenades and smaller weapons were possible, such as a Kar98az and/or a C96 or P08 "Luger" pistol. These units also made heavy use of the Bergman MP-18 submachine gun late in the war.
Likely a later photo of heavily armoured German soldiers with Kar98az rifles.
Later photo of Stormtroopers armed with the Kar98az. Note these rifles have the stock disc and finger grooves, indicating they are likely 1917-1918 produced weapons.
Another exceptional video from YouTube - this time focusing on Stormtrooper development, tactics and employment. If you are interested in learning more about these units, I highly recommend this video. I also highly recommend
this channel to anyone who hasn't watched it. They are currently doing a World War Two - week by week special which is excellent.
German Stormtroopers later in the war.
Now of course, I have no way of knowing where this particular rifle was employed. I have no way of knowing if this rifle was issued to a cook, cavalryman or stormtrooper, but it is fascinating to contextualize how this rifle was likely used, who it could have been issued to and how it made its way back to Canada! I have posted several photos of this particular rifle the Kar98k collector forum last fall, and have been told it is likely a Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) soldier "bring back" given its original, matching condition. I of course can't vouch for that either since the rifle came with no paperwork or story, but it certainly "feels" like a "been there, done that" rifle that hasn't seen cold bluing, drilling/tapping, refurbishment or post-war upgrades, sanding or sporterizing (thankfully).
French soldier with a captured Kar98az. Also likely 1917/1918 given the stock disc and finger grooves.
Given that this particular rifle, being a "z-block" was made during the early-mid part of 1917, it likely would have been issued relatively quickly. Remember that by 1917 attrition on the Western Front was a major problem and the Allied hopes that victory might be won soon collapsed with the failure of the French spring offensive in the area of the Aisne. The British, Australian and Canadian troops found themselves heavily bogged down in the Ypres Salient during the Flanders Campaign.
The Canadian effort on the Western Front, where the Canadian 1st Division arrived in February 1915, is often associated with the offensive on Vimy Ridge in April 1917 and more generally with the mud in the Third Battle of Ypres, known more commonly as the Battle of Passchendaele in the Ypres salient of Belgium, or the "Hundred Days" of 1918. Given that this particular rifle likely was "too late" to have been used at Vimy Ridge, it is quite possible that this rifle was used by a German fighting unit and captured by Canadian soldiers in the area of Ypres or during the "Hundred Days" of 1918. Again I have no way of knowing where this rifle came from, but I am going to reference the history of The Battle of Passchedaele a bit to contextualize the potential history behind this rifle, and more importantly the struggle of Canadian (and all) soldiers during this notably brutal period of Canadian history - which certainly brings credence to the phrase "Lest we Forget".
The Third Battle of Ypres (July-November 1917) was to become notorious for the particularly appalling conditions with which it was fought. In the first main offensive, launched on July 31st, some small gains were made over three days before heavy rain brought operations to a halt. The offensive was renewed on August 10th, and again on the 16th, but little progress was made. At this time the rains returned to Flanders. In August, daily rain, combined with the smashing of the local draining system by British operations, had created a marsh. As the rains began to fall again heavily in October, the area of Ypres had turned into liquid mud.
Area of Ypres
Canadians in the area of Passchedaele
Despite all this, and despite a considerable rise in desertion and sickness that was evidence of a decline in morale among British troops, General Haig was determined to proceed with attacks due to be launched on October 9th and 12th. Thus began what was without a doubt the worst and most futile part of the Third Battle of Ypres.
British soldiers in the Ypres area
The attack on October 9th at Poelcapelle made virtually no gains while the mud smothered both men and guns. New Zealand troops suffered partilcarly badly. On October 12th, in the first of the "Battles of Passchedaele", Australian and New Zealand troops were sacrificed in an Advance of just 100 yards toward the village.
General Haig was determined to carry on despite the depletion of his armies and the sacrifice of his soldiers. In October, he turned to the Canadians.
In come the Canadians.
General Douglas Haig ordered Lieutenant General Arthur Currie, the Canadian Corps’ new commander, to bring his four divisions to Belgium and take up the fight around the village of Passchendaele. Currie objected to what he considered a reckless attack, arguing it would cost about 16,000 Canadian casualties for no great strategic gain. Ultimately, however, Currie had little choice. After lodging his protest, he made careful plans for the Canadians’ assault.
The four divisions of the Canadian Corps moved into the Ypres salient, occupying sections of the front that Canadian troops had earlier defended in 1915. As at Vimy, the four divisions of the Canadian Corps would see action. However, the ubiquitous mud, flat terrain, and relative lack of preparation time and artillery support would make Passchendaele a far different battlefield than the one the Canadians had encountered at Vimy Ridge.Two years later, the ground had been subject to so much fighting and continuous artillery fire that it still contained the rotting, unburied bodies of dead soldiers and horses from both sides. “Battlefield looks bad,” wrote Currie in his diary. “No salvaging has been done and very few of the dead buried.”
The Canadian Crops in this area consisted of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Canadian Divisions, with the 1st and 2nd Divisions being forward deployed.
Over the next two weeks, Currie ordered the removal of the dead, and the building and repair of roads and tramlines to help in the movement of men, armaments and other supplies on the battlefield. Even so, transporting troops to the front lines from which they would launch their attack was a treacherous business. The battlefield was a vast expanse of mud, riddled with water-filled shell craters. Soldiers and pack animals had to pick their way across narrow “duck walk” tracks that wound among the craters. Slipping off the tracks carried the risk of drowning in craters big enough to swallow a house. Amid these conditions, troops and officers were given time to position themselves and prepare for the attack, which opened on 26 October.
Canadian machine gunners. Passchendaele area.
For the next two weeks, all four divisions of the Canadian Corps took turns assaulting Passchendaele ridge in four separate attacks. During the first two — on 26 and 30 October — Canadian gains measured only a few hundred metres each day, despite heavy losses. So fierce was the fighting that one battalion, the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, lost almost all its junior officers only an hour into the assault on 30 October.
Under almost continuous rain and shellfire, conditions for the soldiers were horrifying. Troops huddled in shell holes, or became lost on the blasted mud-scape, not knowing where the front line was that separated Canadian from German positions.
“Our feet were in water, over the tops of our boots, all the time,” wrote Arthur Turner, an infantryman from Alberta. “We were given whale oil to rub on our feet . . . this was to prevent trench-feet. To solve it I took off my boots once, and poured half the oil into each foot, then slid my feet into it. It was a gummy mess, but I did not get trench-feet.”
The mud gummed up rifle barrels and breeches, making them difficult to fire. It swallowed up soldiers as they slept. It slowed stretcher-bearers — wading waist-deep as they tried to carry wounded away from the fighting — to a crawl. Ironically, the mud also saved lives, cushioning many of the shells that landed, preventing their explosion.
“The Battle for the Passchendaele Ridge,” wrote Turner, “was without doubt one of the Muddy-est, Bloody-est, of the whole war.”
Wrote Private John Sudbury: “The enemy and ourselves were in the selfsame muck, degradation and horror to such a point nobody cared any more about anything, only getting out of this, and the only way out was by death or wounding and we all of us welcomed either.”
German Stormtroopers. Unknown date/location.
On 6 November, the Canadians launched their third attack on the ridge. The task of actually capturing the “infamous” village fell to the 27th (City of Winnipeg) Battalion and they took it that day. After weathering fierce enemy counterattacks, the last phase of the battle saw the Canadians attack on November 10 and clear the Germans from the eastern edge of Passchendaele Ridge before the campaign finally ground to a halt. Canadian soldiers had succeeded in the face of almost unbelievable challenges They succeeded in capturing it and the ruins of Passchendaele village from the exhausted German defenders. Elements of the A fourth assault, which secured the remaining areas of high ground east of the Ypres salient, was carried out on 10 November — the final day of the more than four-month battle.
Tank in the mud. Passchendaele area.
Nine Victoria Crosses, the British Empire’s highest award for military valour, were awarded to Canadians after the fighting. Among the recipients was Winnipeg’s Robert Shankland who on 26 October had led his platoon in capturing a series of German gun emplacements — and holding them against repeated enemy counterattacks — on a critical piece of high ground called the Bellevue Spur.
More than 4,000 Canadians were killed and another 12,000 wounded — almost exactly the casualties predicted by Arthur Currie. These were among the 275,000 casualties (including 70,000 killed) lost overall to the armies under British command at Passchendaele. The Germans suffered another 220,000 killed and wounded. At the end, the point of it all was unclear. In 1918, all the ground gained there by the Allies was evacuated in the face of a looming German assault.
Ruins of Passchendale. November 1917.
------
I was able to locate an original, 1915 produced British military map of the Ypres area, which includes the area of Poelcapelle, Zonnebeke, Langemarke and the area of Passchendaele. I also was a fortunate enough to locate a CEF cap badge made in 1916, two "collar dogs" made in 1915 and a 27th Bn (CEF) cap badge that I turned into a display.
Whether this rifle had its stock broken in combat , or from falling out of a tree stand in a 1950's hunting trip, I will never know. Whether this rifle was taken from an overrun German trench position during the Battle of Passchendaele, or picked up from a pile of scrap from someone and traded for cigarettes or whisky, I'll never know. Though I will almost certainly never know this rifles story, or how it came to be here in Canada in my collection, it serves as an amazing piece of both German and Canadian military history, and contextualizes the struggles and sacrifices made by Canadian veterans.
I've been meaning to post a few pictures and some details about this rifle for a while now, though life has gotten in the way it seems. I've always had a passion for history, and of course being recently retired military myself, a passion of military history in particular. In the past year or so I've taken more of interest in WWI history, and of course being specifically interested in the firearms and lived experiences of those who were there. I was fortunate enough to pick up my first Imperial German firearm this past fall off a great board member here, and figured I would share some photo's of the rifle, some of the history I've read about and some imagery that accompanies it as I've always enjoyed reading the posts of others who have done the same. I used to do a lot of range reports when I had more time, and this will be my first "longer" milsurp post in a while.
I have been looking for an Imperial German Gewehr 98 rifle for a long time, but when I came across this rifle for sale, I decided to "jump on it" to fill a collection gap until a nice Gewehr came along. The more I read and learn about this model of firearm, the more I am inclined to keep it for what it is - an amazing piece of German, likely Canadian and military history from one of the darkest periods of Western military history. Though I am still looking for a Gewehr 98, I am exceptionally happy to be the caretaker of this rifle.
Before I begin with everything - I am not an expert, I am not claiming to be one and if there are any errors or omissions in any information I've posted, please correct me! The more we share and correct each other, the more we as a collecting community benefit. The information below is as correct as either I can find it or as I can remember
. Also please note that some of the information below has been taken from the Canadian Encyclopedia, "World War I" by DK publishing and veterans.gc.ca. Since I am not making any money off this post, I don't think its a problem, but wanted to state that not all of the words are "mine".The Rifle
This particular rifle is an all-matching "z-block" 1917 Kar98az that was produced at the Erfurt arsenal in central Germany, which at the time was part of the Kingdom of Prussia (see below). Throughout the First World War, the arsenal in Erfurt would produce The Gewehr 98 rifle, the Kar98az carbine, the P08 "Luger" pistol and other arms for the German war machine.
This rifle is all matching down to the locking screws, stock, stock components, bolt components etc... This rifle features a later beech wood stock and stock disc with finger grooves, correct for 1917 and commonly referred to as a "third model" Kar98az. Several design elements and features of this model would be used in the development of the later used Kar98k carbine, which of course came into heavy use as the standard infantry arm of the Third Reich during the Second World War. Very fortunately, this rifle also came with a correct muzzle cover and proper Imperial Kar98az sling. This particular rifle has a very nice bore, though I have not shot it. The one detracting element from this rifle is the cracked stock, which has been repaired and seems quite stable. I am quite confident that I could shoot this rifle safely, though given that it is my only matching Kar98az, I am hesitant to do so given that its now 103 years old! I have a bolt mismatch G29/40 that I can shoot when I get a hankering to shoot a Mauser. The Germans literally stamped a majority of pieces of this rifle with either the full serial number or the last two digits, making even a tiny crack or break/replacement of even a small part a big detractor from value. I was also fortunate enough to locate original 1916 and 1917 dated German 7.92x57mm ammunition, which is exceptionally interesting in and of itself.
The rifle, shown with its original sling and 1916/1917 dated ammunition.
Very clear acceptance stamps on the stock
The History
The German Empire in 1914 consisted of 26 states: four kingdoms - Prussia, Bavaria, Saxony and Wurttemberg, six grand duchies, five duchies, seven principalities, three free cities and the former French provinces of Alsace and Lorraine.
https://flic.kr/p/2itzSieThe development of the Kar98az began prior to the First World War when it was determined that a firearm shorter and lighter than the standard Gewehr 98 rifle would be more practical for troops whose primary task wasn't forward fighting, though needed something more "usable" than a pistol (sound familiar to anyone interested in M1 carbines or those of us more recently with C8s?
). Upon acceptance by elements of the Imperial German military, the Kar98az was initially issued to "second line" troops such as bicycle troops, pioneers/engineers, cavalry, machine gun troops, mortar/artillery crews etc... Like all carbines in history it seems, it quickly fell into favour however with front-line troops given its handy size and weight if they were able to acquire one...Much like our beloved C8 carbines today.German Gun Crew - 1914
https://flic.kr/p/2hM4L96German Madsen LMG Team. These LMGs would go on to be used quite heavily by the Stormtroopers. Note that Kar98az.
German Bicycle Soldier with a Kar98a. Likely an early photo.
https://flic.kr/p/2hM7rHqGerman Trench Position - Almost Certainly a Staged Photo. You can tell the soldier on the right has a Kar98az given the curved bolt.
German soldiers pose with their carbines. Almost certainly a staged photo as well.
Here is an outstanding video with far more detail than I could give from the exceptional YouTube channel "C&Rsenal". I highly reccomend their videos for those interested in the First World War firearms.
Where this carbine particularly became "famous" during the First World War was with the elite German Stromtroopers or "Stoßtruppen", quite literally translated as "Shock Troops". The German Stoßtruppen were highly trained, specialized infantry soldiers that were predominantly used to conduct highly aggressive, fast acting infiltration tactics, designed to break and exploit gaps or weaknesses in the enemy's front-line trench positions. The development of Stormtrooper assault tactics began during the early/middle part of the war, given the highly static and logistically draining nature of trench warfare, especially on the Western front. Though the development began during this phase of the war, it wasn't until later in the war during the 1917-1918 time frame when the Stormtrooper tactics, units, weapons and methods were refined and unleashed upon the Allies.
Famous photograph of a German soldier with slung Kar98az. Note the muzzle protector. He seems quite young and exhausted. I think his expression paints a picture unto itself.
Heavily armed German soldiers. Likely Stormtroopers.
German Stormtroopers "in action". This is likely a training photo or staged given how close the photographer would have to be for such a shot (and the danger that comes with that). Note that Kar98az.
The Stormtrooper tactics were heavily influenced by a man named Captain (later Major) Rohr, who, building on his previous experiences on the front lines, favoured the use of smaller, squad sized fighting elements with support from coordinated, planned artillery and support weapons. The intent behind these fighting units was to use highly aggressive, fast moving troops who would, with supporting heavy weapons and artillery, close with and engage the enemy with hand grenades, rifle/carbine fire, SMG fire (later in the war) and close quarter weapons such as pistols, clubs, knives and bats. These units would pierce a "hole" in the defenders line and move in depth within the enemy's line to permit follow on infantry to exploit this gap and infil into the enemy line. These units were often lightly equipped with equipment, but were heavy on firepower often carrying several grenades and smaller weapons were possible, such as a Kar98az and/or a C96 or P08 "Luger" pistol. These units also made heavy use of the Bergman MP-18 submachine gun late in the war.
Likely a later photo of heavily armoured German soldiers with Kar98az rifles.
Later photo of Stormtroopers armed with the Kar98az. Note these rifles have the stock disc and finger grooves, indicating they are likely 1917-1918 produced weapons.
Another exceptional video from YouTube - this time focusing on Stormtrooper development, tactics and employment. If you are interested in learning more about these units, I highly recommend this video. I also highly recommend
this channel to anyone who hasn't watched it. They are currently doing a World War Two - week by week special which is excellent.
German Stormtroopers later in the war.
Now of course, I have no way of knowing where this particular rifle was employed. I have no way of knowing if this rifle was issued to a cook, cavalryman or stormtrooper, but it is fascinating to contextualize how this rifle was likely used, who it could have been issued to and how it made its way back to Canada! I have posted several photos of this particular rifle the Kar98k collector forum last fall, and have been told it is likely a Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) soldier "bring back" given its original, matching condition. I of course can't vouch for that either since the rifle came with no paperwork or story, but it certainly "feels" like a "been there, done that" rifle that hasn't seen cold bluing, drilling/tapping, refurbishment or post-war upgrades, sanding or sporterizing (thankfully).
French soldier with a captured Kar98az. Also likely 1917/1918 given the stock disc and finger grooves.
Given that this particular rifle, being a "z-block" was made during the early-mid part of 1917, it likely would have been issued relatively quickly. Remember that by 1917 attrition on the Western Front was a major problem and the Allied hopes that victory might be won soon collapsed with the failure of the French spring offensive in the area of the Aisne. The British, Australian and Canadian troops found themselves heavily bogged down in the Ypres Salient during the Flanders Campaign.
The Canadian effort on the Western Front, where the Canadian 1st Division arrived in February 1915, is often associated with the offensive on Vimy Ridge in April 1917 and more generally with the mud in the Third Battle of Ypres, known more commonly as the Battle of Passchendaele in the Ypres salient of Belgium, or the "Hundred Days" of 1918. Given that this particular rifle likely was "too late" to have been used at Vimy Ridge, it is quite possible that this rifle was used by a German fighting unit and captured by Canadian soldiers in the area of Ypres or during the "Hundred Days" of 1918. Again I have no way of knowing where this rifle came from, but I am going to reference the history of The Battle of Passchedaele a bit to contextualize the potential history behind this rifle, and more importantly the struggle of Canadian (and all) soldiers during this notably brutal period of Canadian history - which certainly brings credence to the phrase "Lest we Forget".
The Third Battle of Ypres (July-November 1917) was to become notorious for the particularly appalling conditions with which it was fought. In the first main offensive, launched on July 31st, some small gains were made over three days before heavy rain brought operations to a halt. The offensive was renewed on August 10th, and again on the 16th, but little progress was made. At this time the rains returned to Flanders. In August, daily rain, combined with the smashing of the local draining system by British operations, had created a marsh. As the rains began to fall again heavily in October, the area of Ypres had turned into liquid mud.
Area of Ypres
Canadians in the area of Passchedaele
Despite all this, and despite a considerable rise in desertion and sickness that was evidence of a decline in morale among British troops, General Haig was determined to proceed with attacks due to be launched on October 9th and 12th. Thus began what was without a doubt the worst and most futile part of the Third Battle of Ypres.
British soldiers in the Ypres area
The attack on October 9th at Poelcapelle made virtually no gains while the mud smothered both men and guns. New Zealand troops suffered partilcarly badly. On October 12th, in the first of the "Battles of Passchedaele", Australian and New Zealand troops were sacrificed in an Advance of just 100 yards toward the village.
General Haig was determined to carry on despite the depletion of his armies and the sacrifice of his soldiers. In October, he turned to the Canadians.
In come the Canadians.
General Douglas Haig ordered Lieutenant General Arthur Currie, the Canadian Corps’ new commander, to bring his four divisions to Belgium and take up the fight around the village of Passchendaele. Currie objected to what he considered a reckless attack, arguing it would cost about 16,000 Canadian casualties for no great strategic gain. Ultimately, however, Currie had little choice. After lodging his protest, he made careful plans for the Canadians’ assault.
The four divisions of the Canadian Corps moved into the Ypres salient, occupying sections of the front that Canadian troops had earlier defended in 1915. As at Vimy, the four divisions of the Canadian Corps would see action. However, the ubiquitous mud, flat terrain, and relative lack of preparation time and artillery support would make Passchendaele a far different battlefield than the one the Canadians had encountered at Vimy Ridge.Two years later, the ground had been subject to so much fighting and continuous artillery fire that it still contained the rotting, unburied bodies of dead soldiers and horses from both sides. “Battlefield looks bad,” wrote Currie in his diary. “No salvaging has been done and very few of the dead buried.”
The Canadian Crops in this area consisted of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Canadian Divisions, with the 1st and 2nd Divisions being forward deployed.
Over the next two weeks, Currie ordered the removal of the dead, and the building and repair of roads and tramlines to help in the movement of men, armaments and other supplies on the battlefield. Even so, transporting troops to the front lines from which they would launch their attack was a treacherous business. The battlefield was a vast expanse of mud, riddled with water-filled shell craters. Soldiers and pack animals had to pick their way across narrow “duck walk” tracks that wound among the craters. Slipping off the tracks carried the risk of drowning in craters big enough to swallow a house. Amid these conditions, troops and officers were given time to position themselves and prepare for the attack, which opened on 26 October.
Canadian machine gunners. Passchendaele area.
For the next two weeks, all four divisions of the Canadian Corps took turns assaulting Passchendaele ridge in four separate attacks. During the first two — on 26 and 30 October — Canadian gains measured only a few hundred metres each day, despite heavy losses. So fierce was the fighting that one battalion, the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, lost almost all its junior officers only an hour into the assault on 30 October.
Under almost continuous rain and shellfire, conditions for the soldiers were horrifying. Troops huddled in shell holes, or became lost on the blasted mud-scape, not knowing where the front line was that separated Canadian from German positions.
“Our feet were in water, over the tops of our boots, all the time,” wrote Arthur Turner, an infantryman from Alberta. “We were given whale oil to rub on our feet . . . this was to prevent trench-feet. To solve it I took off my boots once, and poured half the oil into each foot, then slid my feet into it. It was a gummy mess, but I did not get trench-feet.”
The mud gummed up rifle barrels and breeches, making them difficult to fire. It swallowed up soldiers as they slept. It slowed stretcher-bearers — wading waist-deep as they tried to carry wounded away from the fighting — to a crawl. Ironically, the mud also saved lives, cushioning many of the shells that landed, preventing their explosion.
“The Battle for the Passchendaele Ridge,” wrote Turner, “was without doubt one of the Muddy-est, Bloody-est, of the whole war.”
Wrote Private John Sudbury: “The enemy and ourselves were in the selfsame muck, degradation and horror to such a point nobody cared any more about anything, only getting out of this, and the only way out was by death or wounding and we all of us welcomed either.”
German Stormtroopers. Unknown date/location.
On 6 November, the Canadians launched their third attack on the ridge. The task of actually capturing the “infamous” village fell to the 27th (City of Winnipeg) Battalion and they took it that day. After weathering fierce enemy counterattacks, the last phase of the battle saw the Canadians attack on November 10 and clear the Germans from the eastern edge of Passchendaele Ridge before the campaign finally ground to a halt. Canadian soldiers had succeeded in the face of almost unbelievable challenges They succeeded in capturing it and the ruins of Passchendaele village from the exhausted German defenders. Elements of the A fourth assault, which secured the remaining areas of high ground east of the Ypres salient, was carried out on 10 November — the final day of the more than four-month battle.
Tank in the mud. Passchendaele area.
Nine Victoria Crosses, the British Empire’s highest award for military valour, were awarded to Canadians after the fighting. Among the recipients was Winnipeg’s Robert Shankland who on 26 October had led his platoon in capturing a series of German gun emplacements — and holding them against repeated enemy counterattacks — on a critical piece of high ground called the Bellevue Spur.
More than 4,000 Canadians were killed and another 12,000 wounded — almost exactly the casualties predicted by Arthur Currie. These were among the 275,000 casualties (including 70,000 killed) lost overall to the armies under British command at Passchendaele. The Germans suffered another 220,000 killed and wounded. At the end, the point of it all was unclear. In 1918, all the ground gained there by the Allies was evacuated in the face of a looming German assault.
Ruins of Passchendale. November 1917.
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I was able to locate an original, 1915 produced British military map of the Ypres area, which includes the area of Poelcapelle, Zonnebeke, Langemarke and the area of Passchendaele. I also was a fortunate enough to locate a CEF cap badge made in 1916, two "collar dogs" made in 1915 and a 27th Bn (CEF) cap badge that I turned into a display.
Whether this rifle had its stock broken in combat , or from falling out of a tree stand in a 1950's hunting trip, I will never know. Whether this rifle was taken from an overrun German trench position during the Battle of Passchendaele, or picked up from a pile of scrap from someone and traded for cigarettes or whisky, I'll never know. Though I will almost certainly never know this rifles story, or how it came to be here in Canada in my collection, it serves as an amazing piece of both German and Canadian military history, and contextualizes the struggles and sacrifices made by Canadian veterans.
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