Technological and Scientific developments in weaponry in Canada from 1914 to 1929 Timeline
By jaylaen
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Machine Gun
Raymond Brutinel organized the automobile Machine Gun In 1914. Late 1914 he had built the Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade with the help of Sir Clifford Sifton in 1914. When the brigade was used it was a heavy defense action when the Germans were attacking. Late 1918 Canadians built the 2nd Motor Machine Gun Brigade. The 2 Brigades, Calvary, Cyclists, trench motors, created the Canadian Independent Force, they played a significant part in the Battle of Amiens in August 1918. -
Artillery
Artillery played a large part in world war 1 when it was used properly, the Artillery was very destructive towards the trenches and it would destroy artillery batteries and communication lines. Canadian Artillery was operated according to the British doctrine. -
Communications
Communications services were always provided for all armies During WW1. When the 1st Canadian division arrived in France they were equipped with only eight wireless headsets. The Canadian wireless communication with improvements arrived in early 1917 with a greater range and smaller antennas. -
Infantry Rifles
British soldiers went to war with a short magazine weapon. The ross was prone to jamming. During the battle of the Ypres, soldiers started to lose confidence in the ross. From the orders of the British headquarters they took the ross rifle away from the Canadian division in June 1915. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th divisions continued to use the ross rifle until August-September 1916. Specialists for infantry rifles like snipers and scouts continued to use it during the war. -
Gas Warfare
In the second battle of the Ypres in April 1915 the Canadian division was heavily gassed. Germans filled the grenades with a toxic gas (chlorine gas). Shortly after soldiers were provided with respiration masks to travel through the chlorine gas. Gas was transported to the frontline in compressed air tanks and released through hoses. Canadians formed the Canadian Corps Gas Services in May 1916. -
Grenades
In 1917 the Canadian infantry had specialists for hand grenade throwers and rifle grenadiers. In the summer of 1918, the Canadian infantry took experimental anti-tank rifle grenades to the second world war. -
Armored Warfare
The Canadians operated with British amour. The impact of tanks operated by Canadians was much greater in the Battle of Amiens, but they were never decisive. The best tanks in 1917 to 1918 were mechanically unreliable and vulnerable to German fire. In 1918 the Canadian government got 2 tank battalions.
