What was the battle of Vimy Ridge

[CoolB]

What Was The Battle Of Vimy Ridge?

 

 

The Battle of Vimy Ridge is widely considered to be a defining moment in Canadian history, a point when our nation ceased to be merely a fragment of the British Empire, instead emerging as an independent nation capable of international greatness.

 

Vimy Ridge also earned the Canadian military and its soldiers great respect around the world, though it came at a considerable cost of human life with more than 10,000 killed and wounded.

 

Vimy Ridge itself is an elevated seven-kilometre stretch in the north of France that offered the German forces a brilliant view of the allied forces as a strategic stronghold during the late stages of the First World War. French and British forces tried for years to push the Germans back, and the French lost 150,000 men in attempts to claim the Ridge during 1915 alone though it was only defended by a few thousand Germans.

 

In April of 1917 fresh but well-proven Canadian troops were handed the unenviable task, and the offensive marked the first time that all four Canadian Corps were brought together.

 

The Canadian forces had prepared diligently, training in mock trenches in the weeks leading up to the planned attack, one that was scheduled to the second and executed brilliantly behind a massive week-long wall of artillery fire, the largest in history to that point featuring more than one million artillery shells. The bombardment took a physical, but more importantly mental, toll on the German forces, and they came to know it as "The Week of Suffering." The attack was so loud it could be heard in England.

 

And then came that fateful day. On April 9, Easter Monday 1917, Canada went over, storming the front with more than 15,000 men around 5:30am just as the dawn broke.

 

Against unprecedented amounts of enemy fire, the infantry bravely pressed on even as its officers fell. The result was that even as Canadian troops were slaughtered, others pushed on through the barbed wire and eventually forced the surrender of German troops in protective dugouts. Eventually, the Ridge's most important spot, Hill 145, was seized by the Canadians in a frontal bayonet charge. Three days later the victory was final. It was the first Allied victory in more than a year and a half.

 

It's on Hill 145 where the famous Vimy Monument now stands and the Ridge, as well as the surrounding area was ceded to Canada in perpetuity in 1936 and since it now stands on Canadian soil, the monument is tended to by Veterans Affairs Canada.

 

In total, 3,598 Canadians were killed and over 7,000 injured.

 

link: citynews

 

This is why no matter who is in govt I will always support our canadian troops.

[douG]

Thanks, Aaron. That was a great read.

[Bernie]

Coolb. Thank you for that. It is an interesting read.

[Cowman]

I thought that was going to be a serious question

 

but anyways, the grade 11's from my school that are on the Europe trip are at the Vimy Ridge rememberance cememony along with like 3 other schools here.

[setomonkey]

Thanks for the post on an important event in Canadian history.

 

Mike

[Rob]

I heard on 680 News that only56% of Candadians know what Vimy Ridge was. Pretty sad seeing how much of an impact it had on our Country. Thanks for that CoolB our country needs that right now!

 

Rob C

[Pigeontroller]

Thanks for that history lesson! Been meaning to do some research and refresh the memory...I'm sure I learned that in school, but its sooo hard to remember stuff from those years...Other than how to roll one.

[blaque]

Funny you mention that, we (myself and the family) were watching the leafs/habs game saturday down here in the states.......and Don Cherry did a little segment on "vimy". We alll looked at each other like "does anyone know what hes talking about"? "whats vimy"? . I can forward this info to everyone from that night and let them know now what he was referring to.

[Eddyk]

It wouldnt hurt the parents on this board to run this history lesson by their kids tonght around the supper table. Thanks Coolb

[Headhunter]

Pierre Berton's book Vimy is a very interesting read and really talks about how Vimmy Ridge established Canada as a country.

HH

[easton13th]

THANK A VET!! It is amazing how we go 365 days a year and there are only a few days set aside that we honor these men and woman who granted us our freedom. Thanks to all who participated and continue to contribute to our freedom.....

 

Easton.

[Rich Clemens]

Appreciate you posting this CoolB. I visited the site back in 1997, but didn't have the luxury of a guide to tell me more of the story of what happened there. Thanks again for posting.

[holdfast]

Just to add some other Canadian Ingenuity that soldiers use today. Creeping Barrage. Invented by a Canadian and used that was successful. You follow the Artillery as it pounds forward. Of course watches were so important as well as maps for that battle.

 

Other battles that forged this Country

 

The Boer War- First Time Canadian soldiers went overseas to fight a Battle.

Scheldt Estuary- Canadian General Crier controlled the largest Canadian forces ever. He even had a corps of British and Polish forces under him. The only time in history. He had to be stopped by the Americans because he was close to the border of Germany after liberating Holland single handed. Maybe the worst and most Gruelling fighting ever.

 

As Rommel put it. His Idea of the greatest Army ever. German Officers, American Equipment, and Canadian Soldiers.

[BFSC Kevin]

very cool. thanks for the info. i used to be part of the cadets, for 7 years. went to rank of sgt and retired.

[Loonietoon]

Great report and info of all to read I salute all of our Veterans... They are what we are today.. And PLEASE..... REMEMBER THEM.... LEST WE FORGET EVERYDAY