Scholastic Canada: I Am Canada

Discussion Guide: I Am Canada: Sniper Fire

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  1. During the Second World War, the Canadian government rounded up and imprisoned Canadian citizens whose parents or ancestors came from Italy, Germany, Japan or Austria. In many cases the Canadian government took away their businesses and possessions. Was this the right thing to do? How would you feel if, like Paul, your father was interned?
  2. Which would you choose if you were going to join the army: infantry, artillery, armour (tanks), the engineering corps or the medical corps? Why?
  3. Should Paul and Doug have risked their lives to take care of Teresa’s wounded sister? Why or why not?
  4. Jimmy Philpott suffered from what was known as battle fatigue. How do you think he was able to overcome his terror of battle?
  5. Why were Paul and the others less fearful than Jimmy?
  6. Proper training and good leadership are important to a soldier’s success in battle. What role, if any, do friendship and respect for your comrades play?
  7. The Battle of Ortona was fought within the town’s limits. How would it have been different to fight in a town than in open country?
  8. Why were Canadian losses so high in Ortona? Could the Canadians have won the town by following a different strategy?
  9. What was mouse-holing? What was the problem the Canadians faced that mouse-holing helped to solve?
  10. Why do you think Paul and his buddies were so angry when the Germans blew up the building on Via Matteotti that had been occupied by another Canadian platoon? Was the action Paul’s platoon took in getting their revenge the right thing to do? ?

  11. Further Research
  12. Search for regimental websites. Why do you think veterans go to so much trouble to build and maintain these websites?

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