Canada's Forgotten Battle: The Battle of Vimy Ridge

The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a significant Canadian victory in the First World War, and is often referred to as Canada's coming of age as a nation. The battle took place on April 9-12, 1917, and saw the Canadian Corps capture the strategically important Vimy Ridge from the Germans. The victory was a major turning point in the war, and helped to establish Canada's reputation as a formidable military force.

Capturing Hill 70: Canada’s Forgotten Battle of the First World War (Studies in Canadian Military History)

by Ed Bird

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	25436 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	306 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

The Importance of Vimy Ridge

Vimy Ridge was a strategically important position for the Germans. It overlooked the Douai-Arras road, and was a key part of the Hindenburg Line, a series of heavily fortified defenses that the Germans had built along the Western Front. The capture of Vimy Ridge would allow the Allies to break through the Hindenburg Line and advance towards Germany.

The Canadian Corps

The Canadian Corps was a composite formation of four Canadian divisions. It was commanded by Lieutenant-General Arthur Currie, a Canadian who had previously served as commander of the 1st Canadian Division. The Canadian Corps was one of the most experienced and effective formations in the British Army, and was known for its discipline, tenacity, and fighting spirit.

The Battle

The Battle of Vimy Ridge began on April 9, 1917, with a massive artillery bombardment. The Canadian Corps then went over the top and attacked the German positions. The fighting was intense, and the Canadians faced heavy resistance from the Germans. However, the Canadians were able to slowly but surely advance, and by the end of the day they had captured most of the ridge.

The following day, the Canadians continued their attack and captured the remaining German positions on Vimy Ridge. The victory was a significant achievement for the Canadian Corps, and it was a major turning point in the war.

The Aftermath

The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a costly victory for the Canadians. They lost over 10,000 men killed or wounded. However, the victory was a major morale boost for the Canadians, and it helped to establish their reputation as a formidable military force.

The Battle of Vimy Ridge is often referred to as Canada's coming of age as a nation. It was the first time that the Canadians had fought as a unified force, and their victory showed that they were capable of great things. The battle also helped to forge a strong sense of national identity among Canadians, and it is still remembered as one of the most important events in Canadian history.

Legacy

The Battle of Vimy Ridge is still remembered today as one of the most important battles in Canadian history. It is commemorated by a memorial on Vimy Ridge, which was unveiled in 1936. The memorial is a tribute to the sacrifices made by the Canadians who fought in the battle, and it is a reminder of the importance of the Canadian Corps in the First World War.

The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a significant Canadian victory in the First World War, and it is often referred to as Canada's coming of age as a nation. The battle was a major turning point in the war, and it helped to establish Canada's reputation as a formidable military force. The victory was a costly one, but it was a major morale boost for the Canadians, and it helped to forge a strong sense of national identity among them. The Battle of Vimy Ridge is still remembered today as one of the most important events in Canadian history, and it is commemorated by a memorial on Vimy Ridge that is a tribute to the sacrifices made by the Canadians who fought in the battle.

Capturing Hill 70: Canada’s Forgotten Battle of the First World War (Studies in Canadian Military History)

by Ed Bird

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	25436 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	306 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE