16.4.4

The Story of Mike Mountain Horse

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The Story of Mike Mountain Horse

Mike Mountain Horse and his brothers fought in France during WW1. Mike was celebrated as a war hero both amongst his tribe and in Canada.

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Stalemate

  • The Stalemate on the Western front continued into Spring 1917.
  • Both sides had experienced huge loss of life and the soldiers were fatigued from fighting in the trenches and poor conditions.
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Canada

  • Canada was a British Colony, and as with other colonies they sent soldiers to fight on the Western Front.
    • The majority of these were of British descendancy.
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Mike Mountain Horse

  • Mike Mountain Horse was a member of the native First Nations Kainai Blood Tribe who had warrior traditions.
    • They had initially been told to revoke these traditions when the British first colonised Canada.
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Mike's older brother, Albert

  • Albert Mountain Horse, Mike's older brother had fought at the Second Battle of Ypres (see the Story of the Algerian Troops).
  • He was gassed three times during the fighting.
    • As a result of the gas attacks, Alberts lungs were severely damaged and he was sent home.
    • He died in November 1915 just a day after arriving back in Canada.
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Vengeance for Albert

  • Following the death of Albert and his funeral, Mike and his brother Joe signed up to fight.
    • They wanted to avenge the death of their brother and also show they still possessed the warrior tradition the Blood tribe were famous for.
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France in 1917

  • In 1917, Mike and Joe arrived in France. They fought in the battle of Vimy Ridge and Cambrai.
  • The Battle of Cambrai was a British offensive and the first time tanks were used in a Battle.
  • On 20th November 1917, the British attacked the German lines and captures 7500 prisoners.
  • Despite the initial advance by 5 December the British had been pushed back to near their original position.
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Mike Mountain was injured

  • Mike Mountain fought in the battle and was buried under rubble for four days at Cambrai.
    • He was later evacuated to England to recover from his injuries.
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Mike Mountain's legacy

  • Mike returned to Canada in 1919 and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal
    • He was a celebrated war hero amongst his tribe.
  • Mike Mountain recorded his experiences of the First World War on a buffalo hide, a traditional war robe created by the Blood Tribe.

Jump to other topics

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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