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Arthur CurrieOutstanding Canadian military figure, General
Date of Birth: 12.05.1875
Country:  Canada |
Content:
- Early Life and Civil Career
- Military Career
- World War I: Brigade and Division
- Currie's Tactical Innovations
- World War I: Canadian Corps
- Post-War Career
Early Life and Civil Career
Arthur William Currie, a distinguished Canadian military leader, was born in 1875 in Napperton, Ontario. After completing his education, he moved to Sydney, British Columbia, in 1894 and became a teacher. He later secured a teaching position in Victoria and taught for three and a half years. Subsequently, he ventured into the insurance business and later in real estate (a venture that left him penniless and heavily indebted when the real estate market collapsed in 1914).
Military Career
Currie's military service began in 1897 as a private in the 5th Regiment Garrison Artillery, Non-Permanent Active Militia. He rose through the ranks, becoming a Lieutenant Colonel in September 1909. He also served as Vice-President of the Canadian Artillery Association. In November 1913, he was entrusted with the formation of the 50th Infantry Regiment, Canadian Gordon Highlanders.
World War I: Brigade and Division
With the outbreak of World War I, Currie volunteered for active service in Europe. He was placed in command of an infantry brigade and was soon promoted to Colonel in January and Brigadier-General in March 1915. His brigade played a significant role in the Second Battle of Ypres. For his actions in holding the line amidst a German gas attack, Currie was awarded a Companion of the Order of the Bath and Commander of the Order of the Legion of Honor. He continued to command the brigade until September, when he took over as divisional commander from General Alderson, a position he held until June 1917.
During this period, Currie played a pivotal role in several battles, including the Battle of Mont Sorrel (June 1916), the Battle of the Somme (September-October), the Battle of Vimy Ridge, and the Battle of Arras (April-May 1917).
Currie's Tactical Innovations
In early January 1917, Currie visited Verdun with other British officers to assess the situation. This visit prompted him to write an analytical memorandum that he submitted to Corps headquarters. In this document, he proposed several innovations to optimize the tactics of British forces:
Priority of Artillery: Currie emphasized the need for artillery to perform tasks beyond preparation, support, and counter-battery fire. He advocated its use for creating smoke screens and conducting interdictive fire.
Importance of Maneuver: Currie rejected the British practice of "wave attacks" and instead recommended the deployment of smaller units (platoons and companies) and the use of specific objectives.
Significance of Engineers: He stressed the necessity of engineering preparations before offensives to enhance troop mobility on the battlefield.
Value of Maps: Currie advocated for equipping troops with accurate maps and ensured that every commander, down to the sergeant level, had access to them.
Importance of Terrain: He emphasized targeting dominant natural features instead of arbitrary trench lines.
Many of Currie's ideas found practical expression in the operational plan developed by Lieutenant-General Byng, commander of the Canadian Corps, for the Battle of Vimy Ridge in February 1917. The Canadians made rapid progress of 2½ miles, capturing numerous guns, mortars, machine guns, and over four thousand prisoners. Currie's division performed exceptionally well, fully executing the plan.
World War I: Canadian Corps
On June 6, 1917, Currie was appointed commander of the Canadian Corps at the young age of 41. He became the youngest Lieutenant-General in the British Army and the first non-Regular officer to attain this rank.
His first major assignment was to capture Passchendaele Ridge near the village of the same name. Despite previous futile attempts by the British Expeditionary Force under Field Marshal Douglas Haig, Currie agreed to execute the order but with certain conditions, primarily time for preparation. After meticulous planning, his units, divided into four mobile groups, attacked on October 26 with intense artillery support. They captured the objective on November 10 after fierce fighting, resulting in over 15,000 British casualties.
Later, British high command proposed downsizing its divisions to nine battalions from twelve to cope with manpower shortages. However, Currie, fearing a reduction in combat effectiveness due to a lack of experienced officers for two corps, adamantly refused. He opted to remain as corps commander, provided that each of his battalions be reinforced by 100 men.
Under Currie's leadership, the Canadian Corps conducted several significant operations, including the Amiens Offensive, the Hindenburg Line breakthrough at Arras, and the Battle of Cambrai. During the Amiens Offensive alone, the Canadian Corps captured over 5,000 German prisoners and 150 guns and advanced 13 kilometers on the first day.
Currie's corps played a crucial role in the capture of Dury-Cambrai. His unexpected night attack took the Germans by surprise, breaking two defensive lines in one day. By the end of August, all three assaulting divisions of the Canadian Corps had captured the Dury-Cambrai line.
In the Battle of Cambrai, Currie's forces executed a daring and risky maneuver that involved crossing a canal south of the main axis and swinging back to encircle Cambrai. This bold move was met with initial resistance from senior commanders but was ultimately carried out successfully. For four days, the Canadians held off German counterattacks until the arrival of the Third British Army. Following the capture of Cambrai, the Canadian Corps continued its advance towards Valenciennes and Mons, which was taken just before the end of the war. From Amiens to Mons, the Canadian Corps covered 130 kilometers in a 96-day offensive, engaging dozens of German divisions that, according to Currie's estimates, represented almost a quarter of the German army on the Western Front.
For his exceptional service, Currie was honored with various awards: Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (June 1917), Grand Officer of the Belgian Order of the Crown (November), and Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (March 1918).
Post-War Career
After the conclusion of the war, Currie commanded Canadian occupation forces in Germany. Upon his return to Canada, he was promoted to General and appointed General Officer Commanding of the Canadian Military Forces (then the highest position in the Canadian Army) and Chief Military Adviser to the Canadian government.
Currie became embroiled in a controversy sparked by former Militia Minister Sam Hughes, who accused him of callously disregarding the lives of soldiers. Prime Minister Robert Borden publicly defended him, but he later had to pursue a costly and stressful libel suit against The Evening Guide. Although he won, it took a toll on his well-being and finances.
On July 31, 1920, Currie resigned from his military posts and became the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of McGill University in Quebec, a position he held for the remainder of his life. He also served as Chairman of the Conference of Canadian Universities (1925-27), held various administrative roles in the Bank of Montreal, and was involved with the Hôpital Général de Montréal.
Arthur Currie passed away in Montreal in 1933 and was laid to rest in Notre Dame des Neiges Cemetery. His legacy as a military commander, educator, and public servant continues to be honored in Canada, and his exceptional contributions are remembered with reverence.
