General Sir Arthur Currie Essay -- essays research papers

LIEUTENANT--GENERAL SIR ARTHUR CURRIE (A brief account of the battle of Passchendaele)Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Currie was the most capable pass that Canada has produced. Certainly, he did not look like the great soldier he had become. A very tall man, at six-foot-four, he was also passably overweight. Through his successes as the Commander of the Canadian Corps, he knew how to delegate authorisation and theme by the decisions of his subordinates.Currie, however, was not a professional soldier. He was natural in Strathroy, Ontario, on December 5, 1875 and raised, he had moved to Canadas western United States coast in his late teens. As an adult, he movedto Victoria, British Columbia, he had become a schoolteacher, and insurance salesman, and, a real-estate speculator, an occupation thatmade him one of Victorias leading citizens. Like all goodCanadian businessmen at the time, he joined the Canadian Militia. In 1897, he had enlisted as a lowly gunner in the 5th Regiment, Ca nadian Garrison gun for hire by 1909, he was the lieutenant-colonel overshadowing the regiment. In late 1913, Currie accepted the challenge of training andtraining an infantry unit, the 50th Regiment, Gordon Highlanders of Canada.When the war broke out in August 1914, the highly regarded Currie was commanded of an infantry brigade. Currie fought with exceptional composure at first battle of Ypres in 1915 where his 2nd Brigade made a remarkable stand against the poison gas. Having impressed his superiors, Currie was promoted to command the crack 1st CanadianDivision. He led the Red Patch at Mount Sorrel, through the annoyance of the Somme in 1916 and at Vimy Ridge, Arleux, and Fresnoy in the spring of 1917. In June, Currie had been knighted and named commander of the Canadian Corps, now four divisions gruelling. One of Curries most impressive and central achievements had come during the winter or 1919-17, while he was still a divisional commander. By analyzing the fighting he h ad witnessed on the Western Front, Currie had worn up what proved to be a blueprint for tactical success. In a paper, Currie synthesized the best of British and French concepts, and with many of his throw beliefs base on personal experience. Under Sir Arthur Currie, the Canadian Corps emerged as an bang-up formation on the ... ...m not only was he a uncorrupted colonial, he was a non professional to boot, and he was much younger that th earmy commanders who would have reported to him. Far fromdemonstating his carelessness over casualtiles, Passchendaele proved Curries concern for he preservation fo the lives of the men under his command indeed, Curries actons throughout th war stand as strong evidence of his desire, and ability, to win battles only at the least possible cost. A lot of Canadians, veterans and conscripts alike, had little regard for General Currie. Passchendaele convinced many of them that conquest was his old consideration. Charges of this nature dogged Currie for the rest of his life. Political enemies, took up the proclaim as the war wound down. He was being accused as a Canadian commander of deliberatley sacrificing the lives of his men in the pursuit of his own personal glory. His death five years later, in 1933 at the be on of fifty-seven, may be attributed, at least indirectly, to the lawsuit. His funeral was a major example in Montreal and thousands lined the streets to honour the Great Leader of the Canadian Corps. He is buried in Mount Royal Cemetery, Montreal.