1918 Montreal Star World War I Map of France and Belgium (Western Front)

Canadian WWI military achievement!

This is a striking c. 1918 Montreal Star commemorative map of the Western Front, celebrating the extraordinary contribution of Canadian forces to the First World War (1914 - 1918). Published for a domestic Canadian audience, it identifies the battlefields where Canadian troops distinguished themselves while surrounding the theater of war with regimental insignia, battle honors, and the highest decorations awarded for military valor. More than a record of Canadian participation in the war, the map reflects a pivotal moment in the formation of Canadian national identity, when the shared sacrifice and battlefield reputation of the Canadian Corps - particularly at Ypres, the Somme, Vimy Ridge, and Passchendaele - helped transform Canada from a British dominion into an increasingly self-conscious nation.

A Closer Look

Coverage of the Western Front embraces from the English Channel to Germany and from Antwerp to Central France. Battle sites from Ypres in western Belgium south to Coucy in France are highlighted. The insignia of 40 Canadian units compose the border. Illustrations of the highest military honors awarded to Canadian soldiers, including the Victoria Cross and the Distinguished Service Order, occupy the corners. Banners bearing the names of the Canadian Corps' most arduous battles separate the unit insignia on the left and right. An elaborate cartouche featuring an armorial crest and maple leaves occupies the center along the bottom border.

Canada at War

As part of hte British Empire, Canada played a major role in the First World War, entering the conflict in August 1914. More than 620,000 Canadians served during the war - an extraordinary mobilization for a country of only about eight million people - and over 60,000 were killed. Canadian troops earned a formidable reputation on the Western Front, particularly at the Second Battle of Ypres, the Somme, Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele, and during the 1918 Hundred Days Offensive. The war accelerated Canada's emergence as a nation distinct from Britain: Canadian forces increasingly fought together under Canadian command, the country signed the Treaty of Versailles separately, and it gained its own seat in the League of Nations. At home, however, the enormous demands of the war produced deep political and social divisions, most notably the Conscription Crisis of 1917, which sharply divided English- and French-speaking Canadians.

Publication History and Census

This map was created and published by Montreal Star Publishing for the Montreal Daily Star and the Family Herald and Weekly Star. We note four examples cataloged in OCLC: Library and Archives Canada, McMaster University, the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, and the University of Toronto. This piece is scarce on the private market.

Condition

Good. Verso repairs to fold separations and at fold intersections. Light toning. Accompanied by original binder, which is in good condition.

References

OCLC 1016191449; 225430661.