BATTLE OF VIMY RIDGEApril 9, 1917

Background

• Vimy Ridge was the high ground in the Arras region of northern France.

• On one side of the ridge were the industrial towns of Vimy, Givenchy-en-Gohelle and Farbus and on the other was the Douai Plain.

• The Germans had controlled the ridge, and the towns behind it for 3 years.

Background

• For three years the French and the British attempted to take this area, but the German position only became stronger.

• In early 1917 the Canadians were given the task of trying to take the ridge once again

• Although Julian Byng was in command of the corps, the responsibility of planning and commanding this battle would go to Arthur Currie, Byng’s second-in-command.

The Preparations

• Currie insisted on massive preparations• Rehearsed their movements and tactics• Officers were given maps of the battlefield• All the men were told the plan• New technology was employed• “sonar”• new gun mechanisms• subways

• New tactics were developed• Rolling barrage • Squadrons

The Plan• In the week prior to the attack, the Canadians shelled the

German lines 24/7 (the week of suffering)

• On Easter Monday, April 9 the Canadian assault began.

• The new rolling barrage was employed

• Subways allowed thousands of men to cross no-man’s land in greater safety

• Squadrons (now sections) were first used

• Vimy Glide

• By the time the Germans knew what was happening, the Canadians were upon them.

• Fierce hand-to hand combat

• Within three hours the Canadians held main ridge.

• Capture of the Pimple

• Capture of Hill 145

• The Canadians held the whole region within a few days

The Cost

• 10,500 casualties; 3,598 dead Canadians

The Outcome

• After this it was no longer enough to call ourselves British subjects. From this point forward we were Canadians.