The battles of World War I have all been signified by the intense bloodshed and brutal fighting which took place. The Battle of the Somme had become notorious for the heavy death toll on both sides, and the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) for how the commanding officers paid no attention to the lives of their men. However, the most suitable battle for opting out is the Second Battle of Ypres, for the mental effects of the first German use of chemical weapons, the exposed positions of units placed in Ypres, and most importantly, the complete lack of prior Canadian participation in the war on such large scales.
During the opening days of the battle, the German Army tested out their new weapon, Chlorine Gas, on the opposing side. The lethal gas formed hydrochloric acid with water from the airways of its victims, causing intense burning and eventually death due to its corrosive properties to living tissue. If a person survives the initial attack, they are susceptible to long-term complications caused by acute lung damage, especially in those who smoke. Compared to the other battles given, Second Ypres was unique in its use of chemical weapons. However, even if the soldier in question (SOL-X for short), had prior knowledge of the attack and brought precautionary measures, his mates in the trenches did not, and after the attack, the high levels of suffering would damage SOL-X’s mental health for years after the war.
A second reason for SOL-X to opt out of this battle is the exposed position of Allied troops in Ypres. The battle took place in a huge salient that was surrounded by German forces from three sides, and, noting the fate of the defenders in Soviet salients during Operation Barbarossa, wasn’t a safe position for the allies. The bulge was surrounded on all sides by the Germans, except on the west. As a result, they were at constant risk of encirclement, and a breach in the front could lead to the liquidation of all allied corps in the area. This will create immense psychological pressure on SOL-X, and will likely result in severe trauma on SOL-X.
The third and most important reason is the utter and complete inexperience of the Canadian troops at the Second Battle of Ypres. It was the first battle the Canadians fought in on such a large scale, and casualties during the battle were high. Most men weren’t prepared for the horrors of the trenches and the intensity of enemy attacks. As a result, many lives were claimed by the landmines and enemy snipers. If we assume that SOL-X has prior knowledge of the positions of enemy sniper posts and mines, and the next operations by the German High Command, the Allied commanders do not. As a result, SOL-X will have a high chance of death during the ‘human-wave’ attacks, from enemy bullets or even friendly fire. Also, his trench mates would be inexperienced against the assaulting enemies, and that adds even more to the already significant probability of SOL-X not surviving the war.
To sum up the previous three paragraphs, the soldier in question should opt out from the Second Battle of Ypres, despite the horrors brought on by the Battle of the Somme and Third Ypres, due to the gas attacks, exposed Allied positions, and the inexperience of the Canadian troops. I think SOL-X would make the same choice with his 100% perfect calculation chip 9000’s.
