For King and Empire - Season 1, Episode 01: Baptism of Fire: The Canadians at Ypres - 1915

When England declared war on Germany in August 1914, Canada immediately pledged 20,000 troops. Army enrollments were high and the troops set off after basic training acting like they were going on holiday. Immediately on arrival, the troops were sent to hold the line at Ypres and came under heavy German artillery fire. The Germans were also to introduce their latest weapon - chlorine gas. The men were unprepared for this type of weapon - they had no gas masks - and may took to urinating in a handkerchief and placing it over their nose and mouth. In 4 days, there were over 2000 casualties. In the end, the German's were stopped but at a great price.