Vimy Ridge

 Arthur Currie’s ingenuity and success did more than highlight the abilities of Canadians; it also demonstrated the ineptitude of some Entente officers. Some historians have argued that World War I was a case of “lions being led by donkeys,” meaning that the bravery and courage of the fighting men was often undermined by incompetent leadership. They also suggest that high-ranking officers were rarely in danger while their own troops suffered through horrific conditions. Other historians have argued that while some officers were clearly better than others, high-ranking officers were capable leaders, and eventually learned how to minimize losses in trench warfare. Considering the battles discussed to date –Ypres, Somme, Passchendaele, and Vimy Ridge– QUESTION: do you think that soldiers’ lives were needlessly wasted? Use the following sub-questions to guide your response:: • Should officers trained in traditional tactics be held accountable for being unable to create effective strategies in response to trench warfare? • Arthur Currie’s pioneering techniques were eventually adopted by both sides. Do such changes in strategy compensate for the heavy losses suffered in battles like the Somme? • How morally and ethically obligated are leaders to protect the best interest of their followers? Does this obligation extend to disobeying questionable orders?