Apr 07, 2017 soldiers letters from battle of vimy ridge front lines found in north york basement. It was on easter monday, april 9th 1917, and not any other date, that canada became a nation said d. The canadian national vimy memorial is a war memorial site in france dedicated to the memory of canadian expeditionary force members killed during the first world war. Jul 20, 2006 the battle of vimy ridge, 912 april 1917a brief overview of the military tactics that helped canadian infantry win the battle of vimy ridge. This was a less a result of the battles importance than of vimy s extraordinary geographic location a high vantage point with a. The first two actions of the first phase, the simultaneous battles at vimy ridge to the north of arras and astride the river scarpe in the centre, took place between april 9 and 14. How canadians won the battle of vimy ridge on easter monday 1917, canadian forces, fighting for the first time together, would capture most of the german positions by the afternoon. The battle of vimy ridge was not the biggest victory of the first world war, but it marked a seminal moment in canadian history, experts agree. The major battles of spring and autumn 1915 is described as is the twelve month period from late autumn 1915 when british forces occupied the lines on the western ridge.
Arras is only a 10 minute drive from the vimy memorial. The battle of vimy ridge is the most famous canadian military victory. The allied war council decided that the first step in their plan for 1917 was a canadian assault on vimy ridge. As canada approaches its 150th anniversary, and the battle its 100th, it is an. But the tactical focus means the book is found wanting in the area of historiography, and. Mar 31, 2017 the directorate of history and heritage at the department of national defence dnd and the canadian armed forces caf have released a free e book edition of canada and the battle of vimy ridge, 912 april 1917, a 149page resource about the historic battle and those who fought in it. On a snowy easter monday in 1917, the four divisions of the canadian corps fought together for the first and only time. In april 1917, allied guns pounded german positions near arras with almost three million shells.
Learn about the innocent heroes the animals in war. Canadian troops also earned a reputation as formidable, effective troops because of the stunning success. The battle of vimy ridge fast facts canadian national vimy. Vimy ridge photos and facts of the battlefield big. The battle of vimy ridge helped shape our nation canada was not quite 50 years old when the battle was fought. At the outset of the first world war the canadian expeditionary force was by and large formed out of newly created units in addition to the regular forces and reserve units permanent forces and the militia in 1914 terminology. Tim cook many historians and writers consider the canadian victory at vimy a defining moment for canada, when the country emerged from under the shadow of britain and felt capable of greatness. The main combatants were the four divisions of the canadian corps in the first army, against three divisions of the german 6th army. Vimy ridge was one of the most important geographic features on the entire western front in world war i. The best book on this battle remains geoffrey hayes, andrew iarocci and mike bechthold eds. April 9 12 marks the 103nd anniversary of the battle of vimy ridge, part of the battle of arras. Hi, i am currently researching the battle of vimy ridge for an essay.
Aug 14, 2011 vimy ridge is one of the most famous battles of world war i and a canadian general, arthur currie, was the key of this victory. Of course, the courage and sacrifice of those who fought and died there were the essence of the victory, assisted by novel battle tactics and preparations. Monday monuments and memorials vimy ridge grave markers. Soldiers letters from battle of vimy ridge front lines found. The fourday battle of vimy ridge in northern france saw the deaths of 3,598 canadian forces under. Vimy ridge in north france is owned by the government of canada. A corps appraisal estimated that the ridge was protected by 34,000 metres of fire trenches, 15,000 metres of communication trenches, and over 9,000 metres of barbed wire entanglements. Vimy ridge were a 475 meter tall fortification, which had an unobstructed view for several kilometers vimy ridge radessays. Believed to be the strongest defensive position the german army held on the western front, vimy ridge was the objective for the canadian corps in april 1917.
The idea that canadas national identity and nationhood were born out of the battle of vimy ridge is an opinion that is widely repeated in military and general histories of canada. Truly amazing in its telling about the contribution animals make, we. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The battle at vimy ridge is often referenced by canadians as the birthplace of our. A german sergeantmajor taken prisoner said to the fellows, camerads, you take vimy ridge, you win the war. Training and tactics won the ridge, but at the cost of about 3,600 canadian lives. It gives the reader a clear picture of what happened in 1917. The battle of vimy ridge was part of the battle of arras, in the nordpasdecalais region of france, during the first world war. During the early stages of the succeeding offensive, british and canadian troops achieved unprecedented advances, capturing a huge swathe of enemy territory, including the famous vimy ridge. Oct 21, 2014 the battle of vimy ridge in 1917 is considered to be a pivotal moment in canadas history.
The taking of vimy ridge was a great military accomplishment. Apr 06, 2017 as canadians mark the 100th anniversary of the battle of vimy ridge, its worth asking. The vimy memorial is managed by veterans affairs canada. At vimy ridge, canadian soldiers achieved what more experienced soldiers from britain and france could not taking the strategic position of vimy ridge from the germans. Statistically speaking, vimy ridge was something of an aberration and therefore difficult to use as a case study. This is a theme requiring analysis of the construction of post war memory in englishspeaking canada rather than the actual events. Among canadas defining events, the battle of vimy ridge in the first world war ranks high. New artillery tactics would also be used at vimy in advance of the main assault, including a nearly unlimited supply of shells, and. They captured vimy ridge using the creeping barrage tactic, which was something that many other. Buy products related to vimy ridge products and see what customers say.
A canadian reassessment is the most complete and well presented treatise on a ww 1 battle i have yet read. Vimy ridge and arras book surrey libraries bibliocommons. Training and tactics won the ridge, but at the cost of about 3,600 canadian. Far from home canada and the great war the battle of vimy ridge. A superbly written account of not just the battle for vimy ridge, but of the. It also serves as the place of commemoration for canadian soldiers of the first world war killed or presumed dead in. The ridge was located near the french town of arras. The battle of vimy ridge the western front great war forum. April 2017 marks the 100th anniversary of vimy ridge which was the seminal battle during world war i for the canadian forces fighting in europe.
Learn more about vimy ridge battle in 1917 through books and music. The great war, later dubbed the first world war, was a mixture of old traditional war tactics and evolving technology. Vimy ridge was one of the most important geographic features on the entire western front in world war i 19141918. Apr 28, 2015 among canadas defining events, the battle of vimy ridge in the first world war ranks high. In one of the most spectacular operational attacks of the war, they seized almost the entire ridge in a single day. Vimy ridge was proven to be essential to the foundation of canada as it signified the birth of a new nation and it was considered to be the greatest battle fought, in world war one. Canadian historians have also been drawn to the battle for vimy ridge when seeking to advance the idea that the corps was a particularly effective component. The battle of vimy ridge part x the battle joined and won. April 9, 2007 marks the 90th anniversary of the pivotal world war i battle one that many historians view as the battle that defined canada as a nation. Vimy ridge to passchendaele 1917 combat book 25 kindle edition by bull, stephen, hook, adam. Canada was trying to take over the german controlled ridge, which ran from northwest to southwest between lens and arras, france. The canadian national vimy memorial site has considerable sociocultural significance for canada.
Therefore, the search for the canadian identity needs to go no further than the memorial at vimy ridge. It was a triumph a major victory for the allied side after a long, bloody stalemate and a tragedy. How imporntant of the vimy ridge battle to the triple. It was a fierce battle between germans and canadians. Canadas gleaming white, towering memorial to its dead of world war i is the stunning feature of vimy today. The battle of vimy ridge a fifteen kilometer long barrier that has been the centre of war from the time of the romans until to april 1917. In many ways, this first world war battle was the birth of canada as a nation independent of britain. Royals commemorate defining ww1 battle prince charles has paid tribute to the soldiers who paid the unbearably high cost of victory at one of the fiercest battles of world war one. Apr 06, 2017 the arras offensive of 1917 was divided into ten distinct actions comprising sizable battles along with flanking and subsidiary attacks. Earlier battles during the war had shown that in the heat of action it was very difficult for officers to effectively command more than a platoon consisting of anywhere from 35 to 60 men and organized in four rifle sections. Jul 05, 2007 it was now the canadians turn to brave a maelstrom of razoredged barbed wire, kneedeep mud, and withering machinegun fire. The battle of vimy ridge and its effect on canada bartleby. Download pdf vimy ridge and arras free online new books. To take a virtual tour of the memorial, please click here to view a digital representation of what vimy ridge was like in april 1917, please click here to research the registry of information about the graves and memorials of more than 118,000 canadians and newfoundlanders who served valiantly and gave their.
What i intend to show in my essay is that vimy ridge was evidence that the first world war was a changing war, and that vimy ridge showed the progression of tactics and planning. With the possible exception of tim cooks two volumes dealing with world war 1, vimy ridge. The battle of vimy ridgepreparations library and archives. It was now the canadians turn to brave a maelstrom of razoredged barbed wire, kneedeep mud, and withering machinegun fire. Four days and 10,000 casualties later, the canadians stun the world. The battle of vimy ridge was an epic victory, where men from each corner of canada joined together for the first time in a victorious campaign against their sworn enemy. Buy the battle for vimy ridge 1917 first edition by jack sheldon, nigel cave isbn. Strategy the man in charge of the canadian assault on vimy ridge was lieutenantgeneral sir julian byng, above right, leading to the.
The battle of vimy ridge was unlike the protracted stalemates that came to define the first world war. One of the most important battles in canadian history is that of vimy ridge. Vimy ridge was thought to be the best military position for the german against the british france forces due to the highland advantages. Animals in war and the battle of vimy ridge, we get an upclose view of both the tragedies and accomplishments of war and the bonds cemented between both animals and soldiers and soldiers and their fellow mates. Nov 03, 2017 vimy ridge is both a lesson in history and a lesson in remembrance. Personally, i think it is much better to stay in arras to visit the vimy area and perhaps take the 45 minute drive to view the newfoundlanders battlefield at beaumonthamel. The battle of vimy ridge was a great tactical success, and it signified, for many, canadas coming of age as a nation. Apr 03, 2017 the battle of vimy ridge was not the biggest victory of the first world war, but it marked a seminal moment in canadian history, experts agree. There were only 25 meters between the canadian and german trenches of war at vimy ridge. Jan 26, 2009 hi, i am currently researching the battle of vimy ridge for an essay. The battle of vimy ridge was one of the major, and most critical, battles of world war i.
The battle took place from 9 to 12 april 1917 at the beginning of the battle of arras, the first attack of the nivelle offensive, which. Cleverly weaving between fact and fiction in innocent heroes. They accomplished this by employing novel tactics, new technology and extensive. This is a thread dedicated to the world war i battle of vimy ridge. This world war i skirmish in 1917 marked the first time that the allies four canadian divisions attacked together as the canadian corps. Monday monuments and memorials canadian national vimy. While opinions differ on the importance of the battle itself, most would agree that vimy ridge is an important site of canadian remembrance. Vimy, was many things, a great breakthough battle, the beginning of the end of the war, the proof of many new and different tactics and above all for canadians, a landmark in the development of canada as a nation. The taking of vimy ridge was a great military accomplishment canadians had succeeded where others had failed. Vimy ridge on april 19th, 1917, the battle of vimy ridge took place at the north eastern france.
The newfoundland regiment part ix the battle joined and won. Beyond all expectations, canada was able to do what others couldnt. The corps launched their offensive at vimy on easter sunday, and within three days had eradicated the german defenses. Free ebook edition of canada and the battle of vimy ridge. Loreena mckennitt dantes prayer live at vimy ridge.
The epic war winning battle youve never heard of in the final days of the first world war, up to one quarter of the german army was running from canadians. Vimy ridge and arras the spring 1917 offensive in panoramas book. While vimy ridge might unify the two in one immaculate feat of human creation, they are not synonymous. April 9th, 1917, easter monday, four canadian military divisions attacked vimy ridge in northern france during the first world war. Each and every canadian will surely remember what happened on that horrible battlefield. April 9, 1917 world war i arthur currie leads all four divisions of the canadian corps, capturing most of vimy ridge by nightfall. It sits on the highest point of vimy ridge, was designed by canadian walter seymour allward, and it. In 1922, hill 145 at vimy ridge was chosen by ottawa as the site for a major national memorial to the countrys first world war dead.
As i await the arrival of the first proof of the forthcoming vimy ridge book, i am assembling everything i need to write about cambrai, which is my writing project for 2008. After that i shall be ready to switch from 1917, but i have not yet decided whether to go forwards or backwards in time. The canadian national vimy memorial honours all canadians who died in the war. Resources and tools learn more about this historic battle. How canadians won the battle of vimy ridge national post. Vimy ridge had defied previous attacks by the allies, but in early 1917 its capture formed part of a larger battle, supporting a british attack at arras, which itself assisted a major french. This site has been encouraged and supported in its. Vimy is located approximately 90 minutes from ieper. The memorial on vimy ridge does more than mark the site of the great canadian victory of the first world war.
Celebrated at the time and since, it has been seen as a major achievement for the canadian military and canada as a nation. In early 1917 it was considered practically impregnable, but on 9 april the canadian army corps, under the command of the british lieutenant general sir julian byng, assaulted it. Vimy ridge to passchendaele 1917 combat book 25 by stephen bull and adam hook. The canadians were brave fighters in the cause of world. Why the battle of vimy ridge was a defining moment for.
This canadian history for kids exclusive, looks at the battle of vimy ridge. The generals believed the ridge was impregnable, but they devised a strategy that made history. It was the first battle that the majority of the force was consisted of the canadians attacked together, led by a canadian general, and achieved a magnificent victory. The battle of vimy ridge part viii the battle joined and won. It was the first time that all four canadian divisions of the canadian expeditionary force fought together in the first world war and is seen by some as the time that canadians started to see themselves as an independent nation and not a colony of great britain. In early 1917 it was considered practically impregnable, but on 9 april the canadian army corps, under the command of the british lieutenant general sir julian byng, assaulted it as part of the arras offensive. Vimy ridge is one of the most famous battles of world war i and a canadian general, arthur currie, was the key of this victory. It stands as a tribute to all who served their country in battle and risked or gave their lives in that fouryear struggle. The battle of vimy ridge fast facts canadian national. Furthermore, the amount of mistakes made by the german commanders at vimy ridge seem to be beyond the norm for that army in the first world war. Why does canada keep commemorating that moment in history.
Why the battle of vimy ridge was a defining moment for canada. Vimy, was many things, a great breakthough battle, the beginning of the end of the war, the proof of many new and different tactics and above all for canadians, a landmark in the development of canada. New artillery tactics would also be used at vimy in advance of the main assault, including a nearly unlimited supply of shells. Visiting the canadian battlefields of vimy ridge and flanders. In october 1916, the canadian corps consisted of three canadian infantry divisions. Vimy ridge, not a soaring height, was taken and entrenched by german soldiers in the first month of world war i august, 1914. In one of the most spectacular operational attacks of the war, they seized. The german army on vimy ridge 19141917 books and book. Vimy is a symbol of canadian ingenuity, skill, and daring.
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