In Episode 11 of The Rum Ration, we dive into the Canadians’ baptism by fire at the Second Battle of Ypres. This is Part 1 of a special three-part series unpacking one of the most terrifying chapters of the First World War. Rejoy and Colin explore how a quiet stretch of Belgian countryside became a living hell in April 1915.

The episode sets the scene: muddy trenches, exposed flanks, and the high-stakes importance of the Ypres Salient. With vivid storytelling, they chart the arrival of the fresh-faced First Canadian Division and explain why the Germans chose this place to unleash a horrifying new weapon — chlorine gas.

From the broader strategic picture to the haunting last days before the green cloud rolled in, this episode is both sobering and gripping. It's the beginning of a story about courage, chaos, and Canada’s emergence on the world stage.