1915 | First World War

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A dirty race (21 April 1915)

By Caterina Katzer • On April 21, 1915 • In 1915, German Newspapers, Timeline

The Frenchman Gustave Herve got angry, when people of his nation berated Germany and the Germans as a “dirty race”. He gave examples of Germans who did their best to help the French people during the war. One German recruit for example cared for his French neighbour in the next bed and gave him his food although he only had one leg left. Another German saved the life of seven French soldiers who otherwise would have drowned. Gustave Herve said that the Germans had a different sense of freedom than the French had, but that they still had lots of good characteristics such as bravery, patriotism, tenacity and a wonderful talent for organisation which made German industry a world leader. After that he mentioned the suffering and bloodshed the French nation brought upon Europe just a century ago through the revolution and Napoleon Bonaparte, without being called a “dirty race”.

(„Der Franzose, Gustave Herve…“, Berliner Journal, 21 April 1915)

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British expectations when the war started (21 April 1915)

By Caterina Katzer • On April 21, 1915 • In 1915, German Newspapers, Timeline

The Manchester “Guardian” wrote about the expectations the British people had when the war started in August 1914. They thought the Russians would beat the Germans in a few months. Another expectation was that the British could starve the Germans because of their great navy and financial power. After eight months of war, however, one could say that no Russian soldier was at the moment on German ground. Surprisingly, the Germans could always find resources to keep the war going and the German trade and industry was even being relieved through the war. There were no signs of an upcoming catastrophe.

(„Der Manchester ‚Guardian‘…“, Berliner Journal, 21 April 1915)

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Allied Bombardment of the Dardanelles (21 April 1915)

By Michael Etienne • On April 21, 1915 • In 1915, War

Throughout March and April, the Canadian Press Service regularly reported on the progress of the Allied fleet through the Dardanelles, the strait which leads from the Mediterranean Sea to Turkey’s capital, Constantinople.
The fleet of British warships systematically bombarded the Turkish forts in the strait. The forts were unable to slow their advance because of the inferior range of their guns. The only thing that slowed the fleet’s advancement was mines in the water. Meanwhile, the Russian fleet was applying pressure in the Black Sea to the north of Constantinople.
The Entente optimistically assumed they would “hammer” their way through the Dardanelles by Easter (April 4). Although they did not meet this objective, by April 21, 20 000 British and French troops landed in Turkey, and by the end of the month the Entente were reportedly capturing entire battalions of Ottoman forces. Their successes bolstered the confidence of the Entente.

(“Pounding at the Forts,” Ayr News, 11 March 1915.; “Turks in Terror,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 6 March 1915.; “Allies Will Hammer Way Through the Dardanelles by Easter,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 13 March 1915.; “British and French Troops in Turkey,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 21 April 1915. “Entire Turkish Battalion Captured by Allies,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 29 April 1915.
Visual: “Turks Batteries Reduced.” Ayr News, 18 March 1915.; “Scene of History Making Bombardment by the Allied Fleets in Turkish Waters,” Waterloo Chronicle, 18 March 1915.)

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The Second Battle of Ypres (19-26 April 1915)

By Michael Etienne • On April 26, 1915 • In 1915, War

The Second Battle of Ypres, a town in Belgium, was the first major battle in which Canadians fought. As the week went on, the dispatches from London reported the important contributions of Canadians including the recapture of four 4.7-inch guns and the capture of a large number of German prisoners. A number of British officials and Prime Minister sent their congratulations and appreciation to the Canadian officers at the front for their valour and gallantry.
This was also the first battle in which the Germans used chlorine gas that in many cases caused acute bronchitis and resulted in death by asphyxiation. By the end of the week, the British government was responding to an outcry from the public to supply the troops with gas masks.
By the time the battle was over, Canada suffered 6000 casualties. This amounted to one third of their effective strength in April 1915. This would contribute to the call for increased strength in the coming months.

(James Wood, Militia Myths: Ideas of the Canadian Citizen Soldier, 1896-1921, (Toronto: UBC Press, 2010): 224-225.; “British Troops Score Big Triumph in Ypres District,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 20 April 1915.; “Canadians Saved the Line,” Ayr News, 29 April 1915.; “Canadians Praised,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 26 April 1915.; “Die of Acute Bronchitis,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 29 April 1915.; “Request for Respirators Was Prompt,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 29 April 1915.
Visual: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/38/The_Second_Battle_of_Ypres.jpg)

“The Second Battle of Ypres” by Richard Jack

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Rumors about Berlin changing its name (28 April 1915)

By Caterina Katzer • On April 28, 1915 • In 1915, German Newspapers, Timeline

A German newspaper spread the following rumour about Berlin changing its name: The name of the Canadian town Berlin was to be changed to Kitchener because the English population did not like the current name any more. The false story also said that police officers would go through the streets searching for German people and arresting them and that the Canadians were afraid of German attacks and therefore were guarding all public buildings. The article feared that German newspapers would be forbidden soon and then the German Canadians would only hear about the war from a British perspective.

(„So schlimm ist es dann doch nicht“, Berliner Journal, 28 April 1915)

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The struggle about Heligoland (28 April 1915)

By Caterina Katzer • On April 28, 1915 • In 1915, German Newspapers, Timeline

A few years ago a British reporter complained about the assignment of Heligoland to Germany. He wondered why the Germans put so much effort into obtaining the island and against whom Germany braced itself. Now the British nation knew why Germany switched Zanzibar for Heligoland in 1890 because it was using it in the First World War as an observation point.

(„Das Gibraltar der Nordsee“, Berliner Journal, 28 April 1915)

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Prussian Militarism, Not German People Criticized in Waterloo Region Press and in Public Gathering (28 January 1915)

By Stephen Collins • On April 28, 1915 • In 1915, German-Canadian Identity

A handful of editorials throughout January criticized German militarism and tyranny. German belligerence was frequently juxtaposed against the democracy and freedom of the British Empire. Yet, while supportive of the war, the articles differentiate between the majority of Germans on one hand and the militarized, German elite on the other. Indeed, the fight against “Prussian Militarism” was presented by the war’s proponents as the primary reason for continuing the fight against Germany.

Similar opinions were being propagated in the Waterloo Region itself. In late January, The Waterloo County Canadian Club hosted a luncheon with guest speaker S. J Robins at Waterloo’s Mason Hall. Members of the Canadian Club were said to have thought well of his opinions on the current war and the state of the German nation, which Robins saw as divided between the majority of Germans and a powerful minority of militarized elites.

(“Great Britain and Her Allies at War to End War Altogether,” Waterloo Chronicle-Telegraph, 28 January 1915; “It is a War to Free World,” Elmira Signet, 14 January 1915; “It is a War to Free World,” Ayr News, 21 January 1915; “Germany Found Wanting,” Elmira Signet, 7 January 1915.)

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The War Hits Home (29 April 1915)

By Michael Etienne • On April 29, 1915 • In 1915, Home Front

The heavy casualties of the Second Battle of Ypres suddenly made Canadians more aware of their vulnerability. It also inspired involvement, particularly in areas like Toronto and Ottawa, because an especially high number of casualties originated from these areas.
At the end of April, there was still widespread confidence in the Allies and the war effort. Nonetheless, the rising Canadian casualty count was beginning to cause concern over the sustainability of the Canadian war effort.
A report from Ottawa indicated that over 300 Canadian soldiers had died up to that point and the total casualties were over 1000. This led to concerns that Canada and the Entente might not be able to recruit and train more men in time to replace the mounting casualties.
Reports of high casualties stressed the importance of patriotism and perseverance. By late 1915, these ideas would contribute to a heavy and aggressive push for recruitment in all parts of the country, and not least of all in Waterloo.

(James Wood, Militia Myths: Ideas of the Canadian Citizen Soldier, 1896-1921, (Toronto: UBC Press, 2010): 225.; “Canadians’ Death Roll Totals over 300,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 22 April 1915.; “The War is Coming Home to Canadians,” Elmira Signet, 29 April 1915.)

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Casualties from April 22 to 30 (5 May 1915)

By Kelly Mackenzie • On May 5, 1915 • In 1915, Timeline, War

While this article does not give graphic details of the war, it does give a glimpse into how quickly battles could cost lives. Ottawa released the numbers of dead, wounded, and missing for the Battle of Ypres from April 22 to 30: 705 dead, 2,162 wounded, and 2,530 missing.

“Official Statement Given Out at Ottawa says Canadian Casualties from April 22 to 30 are nearly 6,000,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, May 5, 1915.

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War Pensions (8 May 1915)

By Ben Toews • On May 8, 1915 • In 1915, Politics

In May of 1915, Canadian troops had been in action overseas for roughly two months and casualties were already beginning to filter back to Canada. It was understood that the state should take responsibility for helping those affected by the loss of a family member. However, the amount to be provided and to whom it should be given was a topic of rigorous debate during the war and for many years after. Here the Berlin Daily Telegraph printed an initial draft of the compensation plan for the families of dead and disabled soldiers.

Berlin Daily Telegraph, May 8, 1915.