Coordinates: 50.379° N 2.774° E Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ...

Battle of Vimy Ridge
Part of the Western Front of World War I
The Battle of Vimy Ridge after a painting by Richard Jack. Canadian War Museum.
Date April 9 to April 12, 1917 Location Vimy, Pas-de-Calais, France Result Decisive Allied Victory
Belligerents
Canada United Kingdom	German Empire
Commanders
Julian Byng	Ludwig von Falkenhausen
Strength
5 Divisions	3 Divisions
Casualties and losses
3,598 dead, 7,004 wounded[1]	20,000 dead or wounded, 4,000 captured

The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a military offensive of World War I by the Canadian Corps against the German Sixth Army along the Western Front in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France, from 9 April 1917 to 12 April 1917. Combatants Belgium British Empire Australia[1] Canada[2] India[3] Newfoundland[4] New Zealand[5] South Africa[6] United Kingdom France and French Overseas Empire Portugal[7] United States Germany Commanders No unified command until 1918, then Ferdinand Foch Moltke → Falkenhayn → Hindenburg and Ludendorff → Hindenburg and Groener Casualties ~4,800... “The Great War ” redirects here. ... Image File history File links The_Battle_of_Vimy_Ridge. ... The Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, Ontario. ... Vimy is city in northern France, in the Pas-de-Calais département. ... Pas-de-Calais is a département in northern France named after the strait which it borders. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Canada-1868-Red. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_German_Empire. ... For German colonial territories, see German Colonial Empire. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... Julian Hedworth George Byng, 1st Viscount Byng of Vimy (September 11, 1862 - June 6, 1935) was commander of the Canadian army in World War I, and later became Governor General of Canada. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_German_Empire. ... General Ludwig von Falkenhausen led the German Sixth Army in the Battle of Vimy Ridge at the Hindenburg Line in World War I against Lord Julian Byng and General Sir Arthur Currie. ... Combatants Belgium British Empire Australia[1] Canada[2] India[3] Newfoundland[4] New Zealand[5] South Africa[6] United Kingdom France and French Overseas Empire Portugal[7] United States Germany Commanders No unified command until 1918, then Ferdinand Foch Moltke → Falkenhayn → Hindenburg and Ludendorff → Hindenburg and Groener Casualties ~4,800... Belligerents France United Kingdom German Empire Commanders Joseph Joffre, Sir John French Helmuth von Moltke Strength France: 1,200,000 Britain: 70,000 1,300,000 The Battle of the Frontiers was a series of battles fought along the eastern frontier of France and in southern Belgium shortly after the... The Battle of Liège was the opening battle of the German invasion into Belgium, and the first battle of World War I. The siege of the city lasted from August 5 until the 16th when the final fort surrendered. ... This article or section is incomplete and may require expansion and/or cleanup. ... The Great Retreat covers the slow retreat by the Allies to the River Marne after their defeat by the Germans at Battle of Mons on 23 August. ... Course of the Race to the Sea showing dates of encounters and highlighting the significant battles. ... The Battles of Neuve Chapelle and Artois was a battle in the First World War. ... Combatants Belgium  Canada France Colonial forces United Kingdom British India  German Empire Commanders Horace Smith-Dorrien[1] Henri Gabriel Putz[2] A.-L.-T. de Ceuninck[3] Albrecht of Württemberg[4] Strength 8 infantry divisions[5] 7 infantry divisions Casualties 70,000 dead, wounded, or missing 35,000 dead... Combatants France United Kingdom German Empire Commanders Joseph Joffre Unknown Strength 9 French & British divisions (initial) Unknown Casualties 100,000 French 11,000 British 75,000 A battle on the Western Front of World War I, the First Battle of Artois was fought at the same time as the Second... The Battle of Hill 70 took place took place near the French city of Lens on 15 August and 16 August 1917 and was fought between the Canadian Corps under the command of Gen. ... Combatants France United Kingdom German Empire Commanders Auguste Dubail John French Crown Prince Rupprecht Strength French Tenth Army 6 British Divisions German Sixth Army Casualties 48,000 French 50,000 British 20,000 German A battle on the Western Front of World War I, the Second Battle of Artois is... The Battle of Loos was one of the major British offensives mounted on the Western Front in 1915 during World War I. The battle was the British component of the combined Anglo-French offensive known as the Second Battle of Artois. ... Belligerents France German Empire Commanders Philippe Pétain Robert Nivelle Erich von Falkenhayn Crown Prince Wilhelm Strength About 30,000 on 21 February 1916 About 150,000 on 21 February 1916 Casualties and losses 378,000; of whom 163,000 died 330,000; of whom 143,000 died Verdun was... The Battle of Hulluch was a conflict in World War One, April 27-29, 1916, involving the 16th Division of the British Armys 19th Corps. ... Combatants British Empire Australia Canada New Zealand Newfoundland South Africa United Kingdom France German Empire Commanders Douglas Haig Joseph Joffre Max von Gallwitz Fritz von Below Strength 13 British & 11 French divisions (initial) 51 British and 48 French divisions (final) 10. ... The Battle of Arras took place from 9 April to 16 May 1917. ... Combatants France German Empire Commanders Robert Nivelle Charles Mangin François Anthoine Mazel von Boehm Fritz von Below Strength 1. ... The Battle of Messines was launched on June 7, 1917 by British General Herbert Plumers second army, which included the 16th (Irish) Division and the 36th (Ulster) Division, near the villages of Mesen (in French Messines, as it was on most maps at that time) and Wytschaete. ... Passchendaele village, before and after the Battle of Passchendaele The Battle of Passchendaele, otherwise known as the Third Battle of Ypres, was one of the major battles of World War I, fought by British, ANZAC, and Canadian soldiers against the German army near Ypres ( Ieper in Flemish) in West Flanders... -1... This article is about the First World War. ... British and Portuguese captured by German forces in the Flanders region (1918) British 55th (West Lancashire) Division troops blinded by tear gas during the battle, 10 April 1918. ... The Third Battle of the Aisne was a German offensive during World War I that focused on capturing the Chemin des Dames Ridge before the American Expeditionary Force could arrive in France. ... Combatants United States France British Empire German Empire Commanders John J. Pershing James Harbord Crown Prince Wilhelm Strength 2 U.S. divisions French 6th Army (elements) British IX Corps (elements) 5 German divisions (elements) Casualties 9,777 unknown The Battle of Belleau Wood was a battle of the first World... Combatants  France  United Kingdom  United States  German Empire Casualties 168,000 The Second Battle of the Marne, or Battle of Reims, was a major World War I battle fought from July 15 to August 5, 1918, near the Marne River. ... The Battle of Chateau Thierry was fought on July 18, 1918. ... Combatants Australia  United States German Empire Commanders John Monash Casualties 976 KIA, 338 WIA 2000 KIA, 1600 POW The Battle of Hamel (4 July 1918) was a planned attack launched by the Australian Corps of the Australian Imperial Force against German positions in the town of Hamel in northern France... Combatants Belgium British Empire France United States of America German Empire Commanders King Albert I Ferdinand Foch Douglas Haig Philippe Petain John Pershing Erich Ludendorff Casualties 411,636 British 531,000 French 127,000+ American 785,733 The Hundred Days Offensive was the final offensive in World War I by... “The Great War ” redirects here. ... The Canadian Corps was a World War I Canadas soldiers in September of 1915 after the arrival of the 2nd Canadian Division in France. ... The 6. ... For most of World War I, Allied Forces, predominantly those of France and the United Kingdom, were stalled at trenches on the Western Front. ... Capital Lille Area 12,414 km² Regional President Daniel Percheron ( PS) (since 2001) Population   - 2004 estimate   - 1999 census   - Density (Ranked 4th) 4,026,000 3,996,588 324/km² (2004) Arrondissements 13 Cantons 156 Communes 1,546 Départements Nord Pas-de-Calais The administrative region of Nord-Pas-de... is the 99th day of the year (100th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar (see: 1917 Julian calendar). ... is the 102nd day of the year (103rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar (see: 1917 Julian calendar). ...

The attack on Vimy Ridge was part of the opening phase in the wider scaled Battle of Arras, which served as a diversionary attack for the Nivelle Offensive.^[2] The immediate objective of the Canadian Corps was to take control of the German-held high ground that dominated the Plains of Douai to permit the southern flank of the Arras offensive to advance without being fired upon in enfilade.^[3] The Battle of Arras took place from 9 April to 16 May 1917. ... The Nivelle Offensive was a 1917 Allied attack on the Western Front in World War I. The offensive was a costly failure. ... The Canadian Corps was a World War I Canadas soldiers in September of 1915 after the arrival of the 2nd Canadian Division in France. ... Enfilade and defilade are military tactical concepts used to describe a fighting units exposure to enemy fire. ...

The success of the Canadian Corps in capturing the ridge and surrounding area is largely attributed to a mixture of technical and tactical innovations, powerful artillery preparation and meticulous planning. Noted as the first occasion on which all four divisions of the Canadian Corps attacked as a composite formation, the battle quickly became a nationalistic symbol of achievement and sacrifice. The former battleground is now home to the Canadian National Vimy Memorial. Vimy Memorial face The Canadian National Vimy Memorial is one of Canadas most important overseas war memorials to those Canadians who gave their lives in the First World War. ...

Background

Vimy Ridge had fallen under German control in October 1914, during the First Battle of Artois. Situated 8 km northeast of Arras, the ridge is approximately 7 km in length and culminates at an elevation of 145 m, providing a natural unobstructed view for tens of kilometers. The German Sixth Army had heavily fortified the ridge with tunnels, three rows of trenches behind barbed wire, artillery and numerous machine gun nests to more effectively protect the Lens coal mines, which were essential to their war efforts. During the Second Battle of Artois, The French 1st Moroccan Division managed to take possession of the ridge, after an astonishing 4 km advance, but was unable to maintain it due to a lack of reinforcements, and consequently suffered heavy losses. The French suffered approximately 150,000 casualties in their attempts to gain control of Vimy Ridge and surrounding territory.^[4] Following the Third Battle of Artois the Vimy sector became calmer, with both sides taking a live and let live approach. Arras (Dutch: ) is a town and commune in northern France, préfecture (capital) of the Pas-de-Calais département. ... The 6. ... Typical modern agricultural barbed wire. ... For other uses, see Artillery (disambiguation). ... A machine gun is a fully-automatic firearm that is capable of firing bullets in rapid succession. ... Lens is commune in northern France, in the Pas-de-Calais département. ... Combatants France United Kingdom German Empire Commanders Joseph Joffre Unknown Strength 9 French & British divisions (initial) Unknown Casualties 100,000 French 11,000 British 75,000 A battle on the Western Front of World War I, the First Battle of Artois was fought at the same time as the Second... Combatants France United Kingdom German Empire Commanders Auguste Dubail John French Crown Prince Rupprecht Strength French Tenth Army 6 British Divisions German Sixth Army Casualties 48,000 French 50,000 British 20,000 German A battle on the Western Front of World War I, the Second Battle of Artois is...

The British XVII Corps, commanded coincidentally by Lieutenant-General Sir Julian Byng, relieved the French Tenth Army from the sector in February 1916, permitting the French to expand their operations at Verdun.^[5] It was quickly discovered that German tunnelling companies had taken advantage of the relative calm on the surface to push aggressive tunnelling and deep mining activity against French positions, taking full control of the underground in the Vimy sector. Royal Engineer Tunnelling Companies were immediately deployed along the front to combat the German mining nuisance. This underground clash developed into a fierce struggle, with both sides blowing mines to destroy enemy infantry positions, and camouflet charges to destroy the opposition's mining activity. Please see Lieutenant General for other countries which use this rank Lieutenant-General (Lt Gen) is a senior rank in the British Army and the Royal Marines. ... Julian Hedworth George Byng, 1st Viscount Byng of Vimy (September 11, 1862 - June 6, 1935) was commander of the Canadian army in World War I, and later became Governor General of Canada. ... The Tenth Army (French: ) was a Field army of the French Army during World War I. It took part in the Battle of the Somme in 1916. ... Capital Verdun Government Republic Historical era Middle Ages  - Established Uncertain  - Three Bishoprics     annexed by France   1552  - Treaty of Westphalia     recognises annexation   1648 For other uses see Verdun (disambiguation) Verdun (medieval German: Wirten, official name before 1970 Verdun-sur-Meuse) is a city and commune in the Lorraine région, northeast... Tunnel warfare is a type of warfare that occurs in tunnels. ... The Corps of Royal Engineers (RE), commonly known as the Sappers, is one of the corps of the British Army. ... A Camouflet is military science term to describe an artificial cavern created by an explosion to undermine a structure. ...

In response to increased British mining aggression, German artillery and trench mortar fire intensified in early May 1916. On 21 May 1916, after shelling both forward trenches and divisional artillery positions from no less than 80 out-of-sight batteries on the reverse slope of the ridge, the German infantry attacked the British lines along a 2000-yard front in an effort to repulse them from positions along the ridge.^[6] US soldier loading a M224 60-mm mortar. ... is the 141st day of the year (142nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1916 (MCMXVI) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Friday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

The German advance, having captured their objective of the British mine craters, halted, and entrenched their position. Small counterattacks by units of 140th and 141st Brigades took place on 22 May, but did not manage to change the situation.^[6] The newly-formed Canadian Corps relieved the British IV Corps stationed along the western slopes of Vimy Ridge in October 1916.

Assault preparations

Formal discussions of a spring offensive near Arras began following a conference of corps commanders held at First Army Headquarters on 21 November 1916.^[3] It was not until 5 January 1917 however that Lieutenant-General Sir Julian Byng, having taken command of the Canadian Corps from Lieutenant-General Sir E.A.H. Alderson in May 1916, was formally presented with orders outlining Vimy Ridge as the corps' objective for the Arras offensive.^[7] Heavily drawing on briefings of staff officers sent to learn from the French Army's experience during the Battle of Verdun, a formal assault plan was devised, approved and adopted by early March 1917. ^[7] For the first time, all four Canadian divisions were to be assembled to operate in combat as a corps. The four Canadian divisions were joined by the British 5th Infantry Division, and reinforced by artillery, engineer and labour units. This brought the Canadian Corps nominal strength up to about 170,000 all ranks, of whom 97,184 were Canadians.<=Nicholson 229">Nicholson 229</ref> Arras (Dutch: ) is a town and commune in northern France, préfecture (capital) of the Pas-de-Calais département. ... The First Army was a field army of the British Army that existed during the First and Second World Wars. ... is the 325th day of the year (326th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1916 (MCMXVI) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Friday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... is the 5th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar (see: 1917 Julian calendar). ... Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Julian Hedworth George Byng Field Marshal Julian Hedworth George Byng, 1st Viscount Byng of Vimy, GCB, GCMG, MVO (11 September 1862–6 June 1935) was a career British Army officer who served with distinction during World War I with the British Expeditionary Force in France, in the Battle of Gallipoli... The Canadian Corps was a World War I Canadas soldiers in September of 1915 after the arrival of the 2nd Canadian Division in France. ... Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Sir Edwin Alfred Hervey Alderson (8 April 1859 – 14 December 1927) was an English officer who served in the British Army during the Boer War, and later commanded elements of the Canadian Expeditionary Force during World War I. External links Biography at the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online Categories: 1859... The Battle of Arras took place from 9 April to 16 May 1917. ... Belligerents France German Empire Commanders Philippe Pétain Robert Nivelle Erich von Falkenhayn Crown Prince Wilhelm Strength About 30,000 on 21 February 1916 About 150,000 on 21 February 1916 Casualties and losses 378,000; of whom 163,000 died 330,000; of whom 143,000 died Verdun was... The British 5th Infantry Division was established in 1906 and has been active for most of the period since, including World War I and World War II. // The 5th Division was a permanently established Regular Army division that was amongst the first to be sent to France at the outbreak...

Tactical plan

The Canadian Corps plan of attack outlining the four coloured objective lines - Black, Red, Blue and Brown

In January of 1917, a large contingent of British and Dominion officers, amongst them three Canadian Corps officers, were nominated to attend a series of lectures hosted by the French Army regarding their experiences during the Battle of Verdun.^[7] One of the limited allied successes of 1916 had been the French counter-offensive devised by General Robert Nivelle. Following extensive rehearsal, eight French divisions, assaulting in two waves on a 6 miles (9.7 km) front, with exceedingly strong artillery support, recovered lost ground and inflicted heavy casualties on five German divisions.^[8] The Canadian Corps was a World War I Canadas soldiers in September of 1915 after the arrival of the 2nd Canadian Division in France. ... The Canadian Corps was a World War I Canadas soldiers in September of 1915 after the arrival of the 2nd Canadian Division in France. ... The French Army, officially the Armée de Terre (Army of the land), is the land-based component of the French Armed Forces and the largest. ... Belligerents France German Empire Commanders Philippe Pétain Robert Nivelle Erich von Falkenhayn Crown Prince Wilhelm Strength About 30,000 on 21 February 1916 About 150,000 on 21 February 1916 Casualties and losses 378,000; of whom 163,000 died 330,000; of whom 143,000 died Verdun was... Robert Georges Nivelle (October 15, 1857 - March 22, 1924) was a French military commander during World War I. Born in Tulle, France, to a French father and English mother, Nivelle graduated from the École Polytechnique in 1878 and served in Indochina, Algeria, and China as an artillery officer. ...

Upon their return, the Canadian Corps staff officers produced a tactical analysis of the Verdun battles and delivered a series of corps and divisional level lectures primarily espousing the primacy of artillery but also noting the importance of harassing fire and company and platoon flexibility. ^[8] Correspondingly, the Canadian Corps assault plan for Vimy Ridge, which was submitted to First Army commander General Henry Horne for approval on 5 March 1917, drew heavily on the experiences and tactical analysis of the three corps officers who had attended the Verdun subjected lectures.^[7] The Canadian Corps was a World War I Canadas soldiers in September of 1915 after the arrival of the 2nd Canadian Division in France. ... The First Army was a field army of the British Army that existed during the First and Second World Wars. ... General is a military rank, in most nations the highest rank, although some nations have the higher rank of Field Marshal. ... A map of the first day of the Battle of the Somme. ...

The plan submitted divided the Canadian Corps advance into four coloured objective lines. The Black Line, the first objective, involved the seizure of the German forward defense line.^[9] The Red Line, the final objective of the norther flank, involved the taking of the highest point on the ridge, the fortified knoll known as "the Pimple", the La Folie Farm, the Zwischen-Stellung dugout and the hamlet of Les Tilleuls. On the southern flank, two additional objectives were planned.^[9] The Blue Line, encompassing the town of Thélus and the woods outside the town of Vimy, and the Brown Line which consisted the Zwolfer-Graben dugout and the German second line.^[9][10] The infantry would proceed close behind a creeping barrage, placed down by light field guns, which would advance in timed 100 yards (91 m) increments.^[9] The medium and heavy howitzers would establish a series of standing barrages further ahead of the infantry, against known defensive systems.^[11] To maintain momentum during the attack, the plan arranged for units to leap frog over one another as the advance progressed. The first units were to reach the Black Line and push forward to the Red Line. After a pause to enable reserve units to move up, the barrage would recommence to allow the reserve units to push beyond the Red Line and reach the Blue Line. Once the Blue Line was secured the plan would be repeated for the capture of the Brown Line. Conducted properly, the German forces would have little time to exit the security of their deep dugouts and defend their positions before being overwhelmed by the infantry advance. ^[12] The Canadian Corps was a World War I Canadas soldiers in September of 1915 after the arrival of the 2nd Canadian Division in France. ... Vimy is city in northern France, in the Pas-de-Calais département. ... German barrage on Allied trenches at Ypres. ...

Artillery

Map showing rolling artillery barrage for advance

Twenty-four brigade artillery groups consisting of 480 eighteen-pounders, 138 4.5-inch howitzers, 96 2-inch trench mortars, 24 9.45-inch mortars, supported by 245 corps level siege guns and heavy mortars, were made available to the Canadian Corps.^{[13] [14]} This firepower gave a density of one heavy gun for every 20 yards (18 m) and one field gun for every 10 yards (9.1 m) of Canadian Corps frontage,^[13] representing a considerable average increase, including three times the heavy guns, over the distribution of artillery at the Battle of the Somme a year earlier.^[15] To logistically manage three times the artillery normally allocated to a corps, Royal Artillery staff officer Major Alan Brooke developed coordinated communication and transport plans to work in conjunction with his complex barrage plans.^[16] QF 18 pounder (Mark IV) Type field gun Nationality UK Era WW 1 Target History Date of design 1916 Production period Number built Service duration 1918 - 1942 Operators British Empire War service WW1 Specifications Carriage wheeled, fixed trail Calibre 3. ... The Ordnance QF 4. ... British troops playing cards on a dump of 2 inch mortar bombs (Toffee Apples), Somme, 1916. ... The 9. ... For other battles known as Battle of the Somme, see Battle of the Somme (disambiguation). ... Statue of Field Marshal The Viscount Alanbrooke, MoD Building, Whitehall, London Field Marshal Alan Francis Brooke, 1st Viscount Alanbrooke, KG, GCB, OM, GCVO, DSO (July 23, 1883 - June 17, 1963) was a British Field Marshal during World War II. He also served as Lord High Constable during the coronation of...

The artillery along the Canadian Corps front remained extremely active largely due to their 1.6 million shell allotment.^[14] The higher quality of the shells, in comparison to earlier points in the war, also ensured fewer duds.^[17] The effectiveness of the artillery was further aided by the introduction of the instantaneous No. 106 fuse. This fuse reliably burst with the slightest of contact, unlike past fuses which were timed, making it especially effective at cutting barbed wire before the advance.^[14] To ensure that men at observation points could communicate, in particular with the artillery, over 1400km of cable was laid at a depth of 7 feet (2.1 m) for telegraph and field telephones.^[18] To aid artillery operations during the battle, coordinated counter-battery initiatives before the battle were also conducted. Utilizing flash spotting, sound ranging and aerial reconnaissance from No. 16 Squadron and No. 1 & 2 Balloon Company of the Royal Flying Corps in the week before the battle, the counter-battery artillery under command of Lt-Col Andrew McNaughton fired 125,900 shells, harassing an estimated 83% of the enemy gun positions.^[19] Sound Ranging (also known as sound location) is a collection of techniques for generating a position estimate of a source of sound. ... No. ... The Royal Flying Corps (RFC) was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of World War I. // Formed by Royal Warrant on 13 May 1912, the RFC superseded the Air Battalion of the Royal Engineers. ... Andrew George Latta McNaughton, PC (February 25, 1887 - July 11, 1966) was a Canadian army officer, politician and diplomat. ...

Training

Large scale-model of German trench lines

In February 1917, the British General Staff released a training pamphlet entitled SS 143 Instructions for the Training of Platoons for Offensive Action, espousing the return of fire and movement tactics in which the platoon was considered a self contained tactical unit.^[20] The Canadian Corps instilled the tactical change with vigor. Prior to the attack, assaulting infantry battalions utilized hilled areas behind the lines as full scale model representations of the battlefield.^[18] Infantry were trained in platoon-level tactics, taped lines were utilized to represent enemy trench lines and officers on horseback carried flags to represent the advancing front of the artillery barrage.^[8] The Canadian Corps was a World War I Canadas soldiers in September of 1915 after the arrival of the 2nd Canadian Division in France. ... Platoon of the German Bundeswehr. ...

Recognizing that the men in leadership positions would be wounded or killed, soldiers were meant to learn the jobs of those beside and above them. At the First Army headquarters, a large-scale plasticine model of the Vimy sector was constructed and utilized to show officers and senior non-commissioned officers the topographical features of the battlefield and details of the German trench system.^[18]. In addition, upwards of 40,000 topographical trench maps were printed and distributed to ensure that even platoon sergeants and section commanders possessed a wider awareness of the battlefield. The objective was to give each platoon a complete picture of the battle plan and a specific task within it, with the intent of reducing the command and control problems that plagued World War I combat.^{[21] [22]} The military of a number of countries have a First Army: Australian First Army Austro-Hungarian First Army British First Army Bulgarian First Army Canadian First Army French First Army German First Army Greek First Army Hungarian First Army Italian First Army Polish First Army Romanian First Army Russian First...

Underground operations

British dug fighting tunnel in Vimy sector

The Arras-Vimy sector was conducive to tunnel excavation owing to the soft, porous yet extremely stable nature of the chalk underground. As a result, pronounced underground warfare had been an active feature of the Vimy sector since 1915, with no less than 19 distinct mine crater groups existing along the Canadian front by 1917.^[23] Since their arrival in 1916, British Royal Engineer tunnelling companies had been actively engaged in offensive mining against German miners with 5 tunnelling companies stationed along the Vimy front at the height of subterranean operations.^[24] For other uses, see Chalk (disambiguation). ...

There in preparation for the assault, British tunnelling companies, with the assistance of Canadian engineers and infantry, created extensive underground networks and fortifications. Twelve subways, up to 1.2 km in length, were excavated at a depth of 10 metres and utilized to connect reserve lines to front lines, permitting soldiers to advance to the front quickly, securely and unseen. Concealed light rail lines, hospitals, command posts, water reservoirs, ammunition stores, mortar and machine gun posts, and communication centres were also often incorporated into the subways.^[25] Many subways were also lit by electricity provided by generators.

Thirteen multi-thousand pound mines were also laid under German positions, particularly near the Pimple and Broadmarsh crater, with the intention of destroying fortified points prior to the assault.^[26] Also laid were eight Wombat mine charges designed to open up the end of subway into an elongated trench-depth crater across no man's land, protecting advancing troops from enfilade machine gun fire. Of the explosive charges laid, three mines were fired prior to the assault, and three mines and two Wombat charges fired in support of the assault.^[24]

Trench raiding

For more details on this topic, see Trench raiding Trench raiding was an often brutal feature of trench warfare that came into being in World War I, and was the practice of making small scale surprise attacks on enemy positions. ...

The practice of making small scale surprise attacks on enemy positions, in the dead of night without the intention of consolidation, became common practice for the Canadian Corps by late 1916. Trench raiding was often utilized to build the experience of men, gain intelligence and diminish the morale of opposing troops.^[27] What had originally largely been a strategy to harass the enemy, by capturing prisoners or destroying their trenches, soon developed into a training and leadership building mechanism. The four months prior to the April attack saw the Canadian Corps execute no less than 55 separate trench raids.^[27] A sense of competition between units even developed with units competing for the honour of greatest number of prisoners captured or most destruction wrought.^[28] The Canadian Corps was a World War I Canadas soldiers in September of 1915 after the arrival of the 2nd Canadian Division in France. ... Trench raiding was an often brutal feature of trench warfare that came into being in World War I, and was the practice of making small scale surprise attacks on enemy positions. ...

The policy of aggressive trench raiding was not however without its cost. On March 1, 1917, a month before the assault, an ambitious brigade-sized trench raid by the 4th Canadian Division, backed by poison gas deployment, failed horrifically resulting in 637 casualties including two battalion commanders and a number of company commanders killed.^[29] This invariably decreased the fighting capacity of the affected units, a significant loss given its proximity to the April advance. This experience did not, however lessen the extent to which trench raiding was employed: These raids continued up until the night before the attack.^[30] The Canadian Corps - 4th Canadian Division – World War I The 4th Canadian Division was formed in Britain in April of 1916 from existing units or others scheduled to arrive shortly thereafter. ... A poison gas attack using gas cylinders in World War I. The use of poison gas in World War I was a major military innovation. ...

Battle in the air

In support of the spring offensive, the Royal Flying Corps launched a determined effort to gain air superiority over the battlefield. It was considered essential that activities such as artillery spotting and photography of opposing trench systems, troop movements and gun emplacements continue unimpeded.^[31] The Royal Flying Corps deployed 25 squadrons totaling 365 aircraft along the Arras sector, outnumbering the enemy by no less than 2-to-1.^[31] Byng was given use of No. 2 Squadron, No. 8 (Naval) Squadron, No. 25 Squadron, No. 40 Squadron and No. 43 Squadron, with No. 16 Squadron permanently attached to the Canadian Corps and employed exclusively for observation and artillery support.^[32] Conducting aerial reconnaissance was often a hazardous task as aircraft were forced to fly at slower speeds and at lower altitudes. The task was made all the more dangerous with the arrival of additional German flying squadrons, including Manfred von Richthofen's highly experienced and well equipped Jasta 11, which led to sharp increase in Royal Flying Corps casualties. Although significantly outnumbering the enemy, the Royal Flying Corps lost 131 aircraft during the first week of April alone.^[32] Despite the losses suffered by the Royal Flying Corps, the Imperial German Army Air Service failed to prevent the Royal Flying Corps from carrying out its prime objective, the continued support of the army throughout the Arras offensive with up-to-date aerial photographs and reconnaissance information. The Royal Flying Corps (RFC) was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of World War I. // Formed by Royal Warrant on 13 May 1912, the RFC superseded the Air Battalion of the Royal Engineers. ... The Royal Flying Corps (RFC) was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of World War I. // Formed by Royal Warrant on 13 May 1912, the RFC superseded the Air Battalion of the Royal Engineers. ... No. ... No 208(R) Squadron is a unit of the Royal Air Force based at RAF Valley, Anglesey, Wales. ... No. ... No. ... No. ... No. ... The Canadian Corps was a World War I Canadas soldiers in September of 1915 after the arrival of the 2nd Canadian Division in France. ... Red Baron redirects here. ... The Jagd-Staffel 11 (Pursuit-Squadron 11), also known as the Richthofen Squadron was founded in September 1916 ,as part of the German Air forces expansion programme, forming permanent specialised air fighting squadrons or Jastas. Its first commander was Oberleutnant Rudolf Lang, although Jasta 11s first months of... The Royal Flying Corps (RFC) was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of World War I. // Formed by Royal Warrant on 13 May 1912, the RFC superseded the Air Battalion of the Royal Engineers. ...

Equipment

The Ross Rifle. Abandoned in favour of the Lee-Enfield by the end of 1916.

Insisting on the utilization of Canadian manufactured equipment, Canadian Minister of Militia and Defence Sir Samuel Hughes presided over the deployment of equipment that was often inappropriate for the Western Front, or of dubious quality. Previous to 1917, this had negatively affected the operational performance of the Canadian Expeditionary Force.^[33] The Ross rifle, MacAdam Shield Shovel, boots and webbing (developed for use in the South African War), and the Colt machine gun were all Canadian items which were eventually replaced or abandoned due to quality or severe functionality issues. The management of spending for supplies was eventually taken away for Hughes and assigned to the newly formed War Purchasing Commission in 1915.^[34] However, it was not until Hughes' resignation in November 1916 that the Ross Rifle was fully abandoned in favour of the British standard Lee-Enfield rifle. When training began for the spring offensive of 1917 the Canadian Corps was better outfitted with generally higher quality standard issue equipment than at any point previous during the war. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1950x402, 200 KB) Canadian Ross Rifle, displayed at the Royal Canadian Regiment Military Museum in London, Ontario. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1950x402, 200 KB) Canadian Ross Rifle, displayed at the Royal Canadian Regiment Military Museum in London, Ontario. ... Ross rifle in Royal Canadian Regiment Military Museum in London, Ontario Ross rifle in Royal Canadian Regiment Military Museum in London, Ontario Mechanism comparison between Ross Mk III (1910) and Mk II** (1907) The Ross rifle was a straight-pull bolt-action . ... Lee-Enfield No4 Mk1 with bayonet, scabbard attached The Lee-Enfield was the British armys standard bolt action, magazine-fed, repeating rifle from 1895 until 1956. ... E.P. Taché ~1855-1860 John A. Macdonald 1860-1867 George-Étienne Cartier 1867-1873 Hector Louis Langevin 1873 Hugh McDonald 1873 William Ross 1873-1874 William Vail 1874-1878 Alfred Jones 1878 Louis Mason 1878-1880 Alexander Cambell 1880 Adolphe-Philippe Caron 1880-1892 Sir Mackenzie Bowell 1892 James... The Honourable Sir Sam Hughes This article is about the Canadian Minister of Militia and Defence. ... Western Front was a term used during the First and Second World Wars to describe the contested armed frontier between lands controlled by Germany to the East and the Allies to the West. ... 26th Battalion of the Second Canadian Expeditionary Force, 1915 The Canadian Expeditionary Force was the group of Canadian military units formed for service overseas in the First World War. ... Ross rifle in Royal Canadian Regiment Military Museum in London, Ontario Ross rifle in Royal Canadian Regiment Military Museum in London, Ontario Mechanism comparison between Ross Mk III (1910) and Mk II** (1907) The Ross rifle was a straight-pull bolt-action . ... Boer guerrillas during the Second Boer War There were two Boer wars, one in 1880-81 and the second from October 11, 1899-1902 both between the British and the settlers of Dutch origin (called Boere, Afrikaners or Voortrekkers) in South Africa that put an end to the two independent... Polish soldiers with the M1895/M1914 The Colt-Browning M1895 was one of the first successful gas operated machine guns designed by John Moses Browning. ... Ross rifle in Royal Canadian Regiment Military Museum in London, Ontario Ross rifle in Royal Canadian Regiment Military Museum in London, Ontario Mechanism comparison between Ross Mk III (1910) and Mk II** (1907) The Ross rifle was a straight-pull bolt-action . ... Lee-Enfield No4 Mk1 with bayonet, scabbard attached The Lee-Enfield was the British armys standard bolt action, magazine-fed, repeating rifle from 1895 until 1956. ... The Canadian Corps was a World War I Canadas soldiers in September of 1915 after the arrival of the 2nd Canadian Division in France. ...

Staffing

Canadian staff officers possessed an extremely limited level of experience and competence at the start of the war, having been discouraged from passing through the British Staff College for many years prior to the war.^[35] Compounding the issue was Sir Samuel Hughes' regular attempts to promote and appoint officers based upon patronage and Canadian nativism instead of ability, an act which not only created tension and jealousy between units but ultimately negatively affected the operating performance of the Canadian Expeditionary Force as well.^[35] Byng eventually became so incensed with the continuous interference on the part of Hughes that he threatened to resign. Criticism from Field Marshal Douglas Haig, King George V and from within his own party gradually forced Canadian Prime Minister Sir Robert Laird Borden to tighten control over Hughes.^[36] However, it was not until Hughes' political isolation, with the creation of the Ministry of the Overseas Military Forces of Canada and subsequent forced resignation in November 1916, that the CEF was able to concentrate on the task of the spring offensive without persistent staffing interference.^[37] Decreased political involvement in staffing eventually permitted Byng to develop an organizational climate which principally rewarded military merit. This allowed the true quality of senior commanders and staff to emerge well prior to the battle^[38]. Staff College, Camberley, Surrey, is a training college for the British army. ... The Honourable Sir Sam Hughes This article is about the Canadian Minister of Militia and Defence. ... 26th Battalion of the Second Canadian Expeditionary Force, 1915 The Canadian Expeditionary Force was the group of Canadian military units formed for service overseas in the First World War. ... Note: This article is about the military usage of the word marshal. For other usages, see the end of this article. ... Field Marshal Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig (June 19, 1861 - January 28, 1928) was a British soldier and senior commander during World War I. He had independent wealth: his family manufactured Haig & Haig whisky. ... George V (George Frederick Ernest Albert; 3 June 1865 – 20 January 1936) was the first British monarch belonging to the House of Windsor, which he created from the British branch of the German House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. ... Sir Robert Laird Borden (June 26, 1854–June 10, 1937) was the eighth Prime Minister of Canada from October 10, 1911 to July 10, 1920. ...

Battle

By March 1917, the German forces were aware that a major attack was imminent.^[39]

Defending forces

German general Ludwig von Falkenhausen's Sixth Army had twenty line divisions (plus reserves) responsible for the Cambrai to Lille sector.^[40] Vimy Ridge itself was principally defended by the ad hoc Gruppe Vimy, formation based under I Bavarian Corps commander General Karl von Fasbender.^[41] However, a division of Gruppe Souchez, under VIII Reserve Corps General Georg Karl Wichura, was also involved in the front-like defence along the northernmost portion of the ridge.^[42] General Ludwig von Falkenhausen led the German Sixth Army in the Battle of Vimy Ridge at the Hindenburg Line in World War I against Lord Julian Byng and General Sir Arthur Currie. ...

The location and position of the defending and attacking forces before the battle

The defending elements of the German Sixth Army were;

• the 16th Bavarian Infantry Division under the command of General Arnold Ritter von Möhl. Located opposite the town of Souchez and responsible for the defence of the northernmost section of the ridge, the 16th Bavarian Infantry Division had been created in January 1917 from existing Bavarian formations and had so far only opposed the Canadian Corps.^[40]
• the 79th Reserve Division under the command of General Von Bachmeister, responsible for the defense of vast central section including the highest point of the ridge, Hill 145.^[43] The 79th Reserve Division had fought for two years on the Eastern Front, transfered at the end of 1916, and appeared in the Vimy sector at the end of February 1917.^[40]
• the 1st Bavarian Reserve Division under General Freiherr von Bechmann, which had been in the Arras area since October 1914, were holding Thélus, Bailleul and the southern slope of the ridge.^[40]

Souchez is a commune of northern France, in the départment of Pas-de-Calais. ... The Canadian Corps was a World War I Canadas soldiers in September of 1915 after the arrival of the 2nd Canadian Division in France. ... Eastern Front may refer to one of the following. ...

Attacking forces

Canadian Corps commander Lieutenant-General Sir Julian Byng had four attacking divisions, one division of reserves and numerous support units under his command. He was supported to the north by the 24th British Division of I Corps which advanced north of the Souchez river and by the advancing XVII Corps to the south. The Canadian Corps was a World War I Canadas soldiers in September of 1915 after the arrival of the 2nd Canadian Division in France. ... Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Julian Hedworth George Byng, 1st Viscount Byng of Vimy (September 11, 1862 - June 6, 1935) was commander of the Canadian army in World War I, and later became Governor General of Canada. ... The British I Corps is a military formation. ... Souchez is a commune of northern France, in the départment of Pas-de-Calais. ...

The attacking elements of the Canadian Corps consisted of;

• the 10th, 11th and 12th Canadian Infantry Brigades of the 4th Canadian Division under Major-General Sir David Watson. Watson's command was responsible for the capture of the highest point of the ridge, Hill 145, followed by the heavily defended knoll known as the "Pimple" just north of the town of Givenchy-en-Gohelle.
• the 7th and 8th Canadian Infantry Brigades of the 3rd Canadian Division under Major-General Louis J. Lipsett. Lipsett's command was responsible for the narrow central section of the ridge, including the capture of La Folie Farm.
• the 4th, 5th and 6th Canadian Infantry Brigades of 2nd Canadian Division, and later also the 13th British Brigade of 5th British Division, under Major-General Sir Henry Edward Burstall. Burstall's command was directly south of 3rd Canadian Division and entrusted with the capture of the town of Thélus.
• the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Canadian Infantry Brigades of 1st Canadian Division under Major-General Sir Arthur Currie at the broad southernly sector of the corps advance.

Byng also planned for a healthy reserve for contingencies that included the relief of forward troops, help consolidating positions and aiding the 4th Canadian Division with the capture of the "Pimple". The reserve forces of the Canadian Corps consisted of; The Canadian Corps - 4th Canadian Division – World War I The 4th Canadian Division was formed in Britain in April of 1916 from existing units or others scheduled to arrive shortly thereafter. ... Major General or Major-General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Givenchy-en-Gohelle is a commune of northern France. ... The 3rd Canadian Division was a formation of the Canadian Corps during the First World War. ... Major General or Major-General is a military rank used in many countries. ... The Canadian Corps - 2nd Canadian Division – World War I The formation of the 2nd Canadian Division began in May of 1915 in France in September of 1915. ... The British 5th Infantry Division was established in 1906 and has been active for most of the period since, including World War I and World War II. // The 5th Division was a permanently established Regular Army division that was amongst the first to be sent to France at the outbreak... Major General or Major-General is a military rank used in many countries. ... The 3rd Canadian Division was a formation of the Canadian Corps during the First World War. ... The Canadian Corps - 1st Canadian Division – World War I Formed in August of 1914, the 1st Canadian Division was initially made up from Provisional Battalions that were named after their Province of origin but these Provisional titles were dropped before the Division arrived in Britain on October 14, 1914. ... Major General or Major-General is a military rank used in many countries. ... General Sir Arthur William Currie, GCMG, KCB (December 5, 1875 – November 30, 1933) was the first Canadian commander of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (a corps of four divisions) on the Western Front during World War I. Currie was among the most successful generals of the war; he is still considered... The Canadian Corps - 4th Canadian Division – World War I The 4th Canadian Division was formed in Britain in April of 1916 from existing units or others scheduled to arrive shortly thereafter. ... The Canadian Corps was a World War I Canadas soldiers in September of 1915 after the arrival of the 2nd Canadian Division in France. ...

• the 9th Canadian Brigade of the 3rd Canadian Division.
• the 15th British Brigade of the 5th British Division.
• the 95th British Brigade of the 5th British Division.

The 3rd Canadian Division was a formation of the Canadian Corps during the First World War. ... The British 5th Infantry Division was established in 1906 and has been active for most of the period since, including World War I and World War II. // The 5th Division was a permanently established Regular Army division that was amongst the first to be sent to France at the outbreak... The British 5th Infantry Division was established in 1906 and has been active for most of the period since, including World War I and World War II. // The 5th Division was a permanently established Regular Army division that was amongst the first to be sent to France at the outbreak...

Preliminary barrage

Naval gun firing over Vimy Ridge behind Canadian lines at night

To support the efforts of the infantry, a 35 page multi-phased fire support plan called Canadian Corps Artillery Instruction No. 1 for the Capture of Vimy Ridge was developed, and subsequent issued by Brigadier General Edward Morrison.^[44] The preliminary phase of the plan, which lasted two weeks, began on 20 March 1917 with the systematic bombardment of German batteries, trenches and strongpoints.^[45] Particular attention was paid to eliminating enemy barbed wire, a task made easier with the introduction of the instantaneous No. 106 fuse which reliably burst with the slightest of contact.^{[14] [45]} In addition, only half of the available artillery was committed at any one point in time with the intensity of the barrage expressly varied as to confuse the enemy and preserve some level of secrecy.^[45] Phase two began 2 April 1917, lasted an entire week, and employed the entire artillery arsenal at the disposal of the Canadian Corps, the equivalent of one heavy gun for every 20 yards (18 m) and one field gun for every 10 yards (9.1 m).^[13] The German soldier aptly named the week before the attack “the week of suffering”.^[46] In many cases, the German trenches were completely demolished and morale suffered from the stress of remaining at the ready for eleven straight days. German difficulties were compounded by the inability of ration parties to bring food supplies to the front lines.^[45] A Brigadier General, or one-star general, is the lowest rank of general officer in the United States and some other countries, ranking just above Colonel and just below Major General. ... Sir Edward Whipple Bancroft Morrison, KCMG (6 July 1867 – 28 May 1925) was a Canadian journalist and general. ... German barrage on Allied trenches at Ypres. ... The Canadian Corps was a World War I Canadas soldiers in September of 1915 after the arrival of the 2nd Canadian Division in France. ...

Main assault

After a cold night the mud had hardened underfoot by dawn on 9th April, Easter Monday. At dawn the assault divisions of the Canadian Corps attacked. The mines were fired, a blanket of shells from the barrage crept towards the German front line, and the first wave of the Canadian Corps walked closely behind it. As insurance, heavy machine fire, calibrated to four hundred feet to their front, arced over their heads towards the German lines. The first wave of about 15,000 Canadian troops attacked positions defended by roughly 5,000 Germans, followed by the second wave of 12,000 Canadians to meet 3,000 German reserves. Over 1,100 cannons of various descriptions, from British heavy naval guns mounted on railway cars miles behind the battlefield, to portable field artillery pieces dragged into place by horses, mules, or soldiers just behind the Canadian lines, fired continuously. Nearly 100,000 men in total were to take and hold the ridge.^[47] The first wave advanced behind a creeping barrage, known specifically for the battle as the Vimy Glide. This tactic had been used earlier at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle and the Battle of the Somme but required fine tuning in the absence of voice control. This article is about the Christian festival. ... Rolling barrage is a military tactic in which massed artillery support an infantry advance by firing continuously at positions just in front of the advancing troops. ... The Battles of Neuve Chapelle and Artois was a battle in the First World War. ... For other battles known as Battle of the Somme, see Battle of the Somme (disambiguation). ...

Canadian soldiers advance behind a tank

After less than two hours, three of the four Canadian divisions had taken their objectives; the 4th Division, however, was held up by machine gun nests on the highest point of the ridge, known as Hill 145. The 87th Battalion suffered 50% casualties. The 85th Nova Scotia Highlanders, who had been intended to function in a supply and construction role, were sent in as reinforcements and the hill was captured by the end of the day. The fight to take Vimy Ridge cost the Canadian Corps dearly, but it would become clear that they won this battle because they made sure that they knew every part of land they were fighting on and prepared very well for what was to come.^{[citation needed]} Additionally, the massed British and Australian divisions attacking along a 24-mile (39 km) front on the Canadian Corps' north and south flanks achieved their preliminary objectives. Image File history File linksMetadata Canadian_tank_and_soldiers_Vimy_1917. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Canadian_tank_and_soldiers_Vimy_1917. ... The 87th (Canadian Grenadier Guards) Battalion, CEF was a unit in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War. ... The 85th Canadian Infantry Battalion, C.E.F. (Nova Scotia Highlanders) was a unit of the First World War Canadian Expeditionary Force. ...

Canadian machine gun squad on the plateau above the ridge.

Image File history File links Download high resolution version (590x855, 73 KB) Summary This image is titled, On Vimy Ridge, where Canada won Laurels. The caption reads: The Canadians took the important position of Vimy Ridge on Easter Monday, April 9, 1917. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (590x855, 73 KB) Summary This image is titled, On Vimy Ridge, where Canada won Laurels. The caption reads: The Canadians took the important position of Vimy Ridge on Easter Monday, April 9, 1917. ...

Results

By April 12, the Canadians controlled the entire ridge, at a cost of 10,602 casualties (3,598 killed and 7,004 wounded).^[48] The German Sixth Army, under General Ludwig von Falkenhausen, suffered an unknown number of casualties, and lost approximately 4,000 as prisoners of war.^[49] The loss of the ridge forced the Germans to retreat to the lower Douai plain that was far more difficult to defend.^[50] It also seriously undermined German morale, as they had long recognized the ridge as one of their most impregnable strongpoints.^[49] Allied domination of the ridge also denied the Germans the rich coalfields of the plain. The Hundred Days Offensive counter-attack to the German Spring Offensive would ultimately lead to victory over Germany by November 1918.^[51] The 6. ... General Ludwig von Falkenhausen led the German Sixth Army in the Battle of Vimy Ridge at the Hindenburg Line in World War I against Lord Julian Byng and General Sir Arthur Currie. ... Geneva Convention definition A prisoner of war (POW) is a soldier, sailor, airman, or marine who is imprisoned by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict. ... Combatants Belgium British Empire France United States of America German Empire Commanders King Albert I Ferdinand Foch Douglas Haig Philippe Petain John Pershing Erich Ludendorff Casualties 411,636 British 531,000 French 127,000+ American 785,733 The Hundred Days Offensive was the final offensive in World War I by... This article is about the First World War. ...

Enduring legacy

The Battle of Vimy Ridge remains historically significant for Canada. It was the first time in the nation's history a corps-sized formation fought as a unit. The success of the attack which had resulted from detailed planning and a variety of innovative tactics, stood in stark contrast to what had happened at the Somme only months earlier, and sealed the reputation of the Canadians as among the finest troops on the Western Front.^[52] "In those few minutes I witnessed the birth of a nation" said Brigadier-General A.E. Ross afterwards.^[53]

Troops at Vimy Ridge in 1917 by photographer Jack Turner.

Some have suggested that Canadian unity was fostered—all nine provinces were represented in the order of battle of the Canadian Corps.^[54] As Pierre Berton points out in Vimy, the taking of the ridge achieved iconic status in Canada very quickly, and with it attendant myths grew. Image File history File links Vimy_Ridge. ... Image File history File links Vimy_Ridge. ... Brenton Harold Turner, aka Jack Turner, (September 24, 1889 to October 6, 1989) from Prince Edward Island, Canada. ... Pierre Francis Berton, CC, O.Ont, BA, D.Litt (July 12, 1920 – November 30, 2004) was a noted Canadian author of non-fiction, especially Canadiana and Canadian history, and was a well-known television personality and journalist. ...

Previously, in battle after battle, thousands had died for gains measured in yards. The breakthrough had tremendous tactical significance: it relieved the city of Arras from the immediate threat of attack and proved that the front lines could be moved forward once again. In all the battles at Vimy Ridge in World War I, there was a staggering cost in dead and wounded on both sides. Across 16 kilometres of ridge, approximately 200,000 men perished: French, British, Canadian, and German. Considering that typically there were three wounded to every man killed, the total casualties at Vimy during the War can be estimated at 800,000.^[55]

Four Victoria Crosses (VC) were awarded to members of the Canadian Corps for this battle: Private William Johnstone Milne (16 Bn CEF); Lance-Sergeant Ellis Welwood Sifton (18 Bn CEF); Private John George Pattison (50 Bn CEF); and Captain Thain Wendell MacDowell (38 Bn CEF). William Johnstone Milne was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. ... Ellis Welwood Sifton (11 October 1891 – 9 April 1917) was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. ... Photo by Terry Macdonald John George Pattison was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. ... Photo by Terry Macdonald Thain Wendell MacDowell, VC , DSO (September 16, 1890, Lachute, Quebec -March 27, 1960, Nassau, Bahamas), was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. ...

Commemoration

Vimy Memorial

Main article: Canadian National Vimy Memorial

The restored Vimy Ridge monument in 2007.

View to Arras

Set on the highest point of Vimy Ridge is the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, the largest of Canada's war monuments. In 1922, use of the land, for the battlefield park which contains the memorial was granted, in perpetuity, for all time by the French nation to the people of Canada in recognition of Canada's war efforts. 250 hectares of the former Vimy Ridge battlefield is preserved as part of the memorial park which surrounds the monument. The grounds of the site are still honeycombed with wartime tunnels, trenches and craters, closed off for public safety. Vimy Memorial face The Canadian National Vimy Memorial is one of Canadas most important overseas war memorials to those Canadians who gave their lives in the First World War. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1536 × 2048 pixel, file size: 796 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) I took this image I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1536 × 2048 pixel, file size: 796 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) I took this image I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Vimy Memorial face The Canadian National Vimy Memorial is one of Canadas most important overseas war memorials to those Canadians who gave their lives in the First World War. ...

The memorial took eleven years and $1.5 million to build and was unveiled on 26 July 1936 by King Edward VIII (prior to his abdication), in the presence of President Albert Lebrun of France and 50,000 or more Canadian and French veterans and their families. is the 207th day of the year (208th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1936 (MCMXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... King Edward VIII King of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, King of Ireland Emperor of India His Majesty King Edward VIII, (Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David), later His Royal Highness The Duke of Windsor (23 June 1894 – 28 May 1972) was the second British monarch of the House... Albert Lebrun (August 29, 1871 - March 6, 1950) was a French politician, President of France from 1932 to 1940, and as such was the last president of the Third Republic. ...

The memorial site is tended by Veterans Affairs Canada. Prevalent image on VAC posters during 2005, the Year of the Veteran. ...

Vimy Cross

The Vimy Cross at The Citadelle in Quebec City

. View of the fortifications of the Citadel, with the Parliament Building behind The Citadel - the French name is used both in English and French - is a military installation and official residence located atop Cap Diamant, adjoining the Plains of Abraham in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. ... Nickname: Motto: Don de Dieu feray valoir (I shall put Gods gift to good use; the Don de Dieu was Champlains ship) Coordinates: , Country Canada Province Quebec Agglomeration Quebec City Statute of the city Capitale-Nationale Administrative Region Capitale-Nationale Founded 1608 by Samuel de Champlain Constitution date...

After the battle a number of memorials were erecting along Vimy Ridge, including a wooden cross by the Canadian 2nd Division in memory of the soldiers killed during the battle. Before the Canadian National Vimy Memorial was constructed, the responsibility of this Cross was given to the Royal 22^e Régiment and moved to the Citadelle of Quebec between 1923 and 1924. The cross underwent restoration in 1947 and again in 1978 and is still used today during commemoration ceremonies of the battle.^[56]. Vimy Memorial face The Canadian National Vimy Memorial is one of Canadas most important overseas war memorials to those Canadians who gave their lives in the First World War. ... Badge of Le Royal 22e Régiment The Royal 22e Régiment is an infantry regiment and the most famous francophone organization of the Canadian Forces. ... View of the fortifications of the Citadel, with the Parliament Building behind The Citadel - the French name is used both in English and French - is a military installation and official residence located atop Cap Diamant, adjoining the Plains of Abraham in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. ...

90th anniversary of the battle

Though memorial ceremonies have taken place on the anniversary date for many years, a confluence of events brought the 90th anniversary into sharp focus and attracted considerable attention. Simplest is the fact that it was the 90th, but the anniversary fell on an Easter Monday, as had the battle itself in 1917, which seemed to give it even more symbolic importance. The anniversary was also built up in a groundswell of nationalistic nostalgia that has swept through the formal and informal community of Canadian historians and history educators in recent years.

The 90th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge was celebrated on April 9, 2007, in many locations across Canada, and in formal ceremonies in the cities of Toronto (at Queen's Park), Ottawa, and at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial atop Hill 145 on Vimy Ridge in France. is the 99th day of the year (100th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... Aerial view of Queens Park in winter, facing north. ... -1... Vimy Memorial face The Canadian National Vimy Memorial is one of Canadas most important overseas war memorials to those Canadians who gave their lives in the First World War. ...

At the Vimy Memorial over 25,000 people, primarily Canadians, attended a ceremony that commemorated the 90th anniversary of the battle and rededicated the memorial itself upon the completion a multi-year restoration program. The 'pilgrims' to the commemoration and rededication ceremony included over 5,000 Canadian students from across Canada, many of whom were involved in a program that saw them representing a Canadian soldier who died in the battle at Vimy Ridge. The presiding platform party included Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, who formally rededicated the restored memorial, French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who delivered speeches.^{[57][verification needed]} Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor; born 21 April 1926) is Queen of sixteen sovereign states, holding each crown and title equally. ... Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, wearing the Sovereigns insignia of the Order of Canada and the Order of Military Merit The style of the Canadian Sovereign has varied over the years. ... Categories: French government | France-related stubs | Prime ministers of France ... Dominique de Villepin (born Dominique Marie François René Galouzeau de Villepin (IPA: —  ) on 14 November 1953 in Rabat, Morocco) served as the Prime Minister of France from May 31, 2005 to May 17, 2007. ... Regions Political culture Foreign relations Other countries Atlas  Politics Portal      The Prime Minister of Canada (French: Premier ministre du Canada), is the Minister of the Crown who is head of the Government of Canada. ... Stephen Joseph Harper (born April 30, 1959) is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. ...

current flag display

Leading up to the 90th anniversary, a movement was initiated by the Royal Canadian Legion to have an historic Canadian Red Ensign flown at the memorial alongside the current Canadian 'Maple Leaf' and French flags. The Legion reasoned it was appropriate as the Canadians who had fought in 1917 had done so under the Ensign. According to a poll conducted by Ipsos Reid, 79 per cent^{[citation needed]} of respondents supported the idea of flying both at the monument during the April 9 ceremony in Vimy, France. Initial government press releases seemed to dismiss the Legion's request, citing government protocol that dictated only the current Canadian flag adorn federal monuments. However, on March 30, 2007, it was announced that a version of the Canadian Ensign would be flown at the memorial on April 9, 2007, and that an ensign of some type would be flown year-round in addition to the current Canadian and French flags.^[58] The Legion donated a Red Ensign from the 1868–1870 period (i.e., a four-province flag) and this continues to fly at the Vimy site. Some commentators, including Robert Watt, then the Chief Herald of Canada, noted that it might be more correct to fly the nine-province flag that was flown in Canada and abroad between 1905 and 1921, since the Dominion of that period was made up of nine provinces.^[59] Alternatively, it is most historically accurate to note that the Canadian soldiers of the First World War fought for the British Expeditionary Force, and therefore under the Union Jack, rather than any Canadian flag. Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... -1... The Canadian Red Ensign. ... Flag Ratio: 1:2 (1965-Present) The National Flag of Canada (), popularly known as the Maple Leaf Flag (French: lUnifoli the one-leaved), is a base red flag with a white square in its centre, featuring a red stylized 11-pointed maple leaf. ... Flag Ratio: 2:3 The national flag of France (known in French as le drapeau tricolore, le drapeau bleu-blanc-rouge, le drapeau de la France, rarely, le tricolore and, colloquially, les couleurs) is a tricolour featuring three vertical bands coloured blue (hoist side), white, and red. ... Ipsos-Reid is a research company founded in 1975 by Didier Truchot, a Paris-based communications specialist. ... is the 89th day of the year (90th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 99th day of the year (100th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... Robert Watt is the current Chief Herald of Canada. ... The coat of arms of office of the Chief Herald of Canada Chief Herald of Canada is the title held by the head of the Canadian Heraldic Authority. ...

Notes

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Category:Battle of Vimy Ridge

2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 12th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 101st day of the year (102nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar (see: 1917 Julian calendar). ... is the 99th day of the year (100th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday[1] of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... April 7 is the 97th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (98th in leap years). ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 99th day of the year (100th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ...

References

• Ashworth, Tony. 2000. Trench warfare 1914–1918. London: Pan Books. ISBN 0330480685

• Barris, Ted. 2007. Victory at Vimy: Canada Comes of Age, April 9–12, 1917. Toronto: Thomas Allen Publishers. ISBN 0887622534

• Boire, Michael (Spring 1992). "The Underground War: Military Mining Operations in support of the attack on Vimy Ridge, 9 April 1917". Canadian Military History 1 (1–2): 15–24. Laurier Centre for Military Strategic and Disarmament Studies. 

• Brennan, Patrick (2007), “Julian Byng and Leadership in the Canadian Corps”, in Hayes, Geoffrey; Iarocci, Andrew & Bechthold, Mike, Vimy Ridge: A Canadian Reassessment, Waterloo: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, pp. 87–104, ISBN 0889205086 

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Professor Jack Lawrence Granatstein, OC , Ph. ... is the 364th day of the year (365th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 364th day of the year (365th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... Dr Gary Sheffield is a British academic and military historian. ... John Terraine is the name of the editor who edited General Jacks Diaries. ...

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