CANADA HISTORY - Places-Events

Vimy_Ridge

The Battle of Vimy Ridge, fought from April 9 to 12, 1917, during the First World War, holds a place of deep reverence in Canadian history. It is often considered the moment when Canada truly emerged as a nation on the global stage. The battle was part of the larger Arras Offensive, in which the Allies sought to break through the German defenses that had long held Vimy Ridge, a strategic high point overlooking the Douai Plain in northern France. For many, the Canadian victory at Vimy Ridge marked not only a significant military achievement but also a defining moment in the development of Canadian identity.

Origins of the Battle and Political Situation

By 1917, the First World War had already dragged on for nearly three years, with millions of lives lost and no decisive end in sight. The Western Front, stretching from the North Sea to the Swiss border, had become a symbol of the war’s horrific stalemate, with opposing armies entrenched along a series of defensive lines. Vimy Ridge, located near the town of Arras in northern France, had been held by German forces since 1914. Its elevated position gave the Germans a significant advantage, as they could see for miles around and easily defend the ridge with artillery and machine guns.

For the Allies, taking Vimy Ridge was seen as crucial to breaking the German defensive line and gaining a foothold in the strategically important coal-rich areas of northern France. Previous attempts by the French and British armies to capture the ridge had failed, resulting in heavy casualties. The French, in particular, had suffered enormously during the Second Battle of Artois in 1915, which led to widespread disillusionment with the war effort.

By early 1917, political and military pressure on the Allies had intensified. Russia, wracked by internal revolution, was on the verge of exiting the war, and the German army was able to transfer more troops to the Western Front. The British and French needed a decisive victory to lift morale and keep the war effort alive. It was in this context that the Canadian Corps, under the overall command of the British, was tasked with taking Vimy Ridge as part of the larger Arras Offensive.

Major Events Leading to the Battle

The Canadian Corps, commanded by British General Sir Julian Byng and comprised of four Canadian divisions, began extensive preparations for the assault on Vimy Ridge. These preparations set the stage for what would become a hallmark of the Canadian war effort: meticulous planning, coordination, and innovation.

Unlike previous attempts to take the ridge, the Canadians employed new tactics, combining thorough reconnaissance, detailed mapping of enemy positions, and extensive artillery barrages. One of the most important innovations was the use of the “creeping barrage,” where artillery fire would advance in stages just ahead of the infantry, providing cover as they moved forward. The Canadian troops were also given specific and detailed objectives, with every soldier fully aware of the overall plan. This level of preparation and communication was crucial to the success of the assault.

The Canadians also took great care in building underground tunnels to shelter their troops and move them closer to the front lines without being exposed to enemy fire. These tunnels, which stretched for miles beneath the battlefield, allowed the soldiers to move into position in relative safety before the attack began.

The Battle of Vimy Ridge

The assault on Vimy Ridge began at dawn on April 9, 1917—Easter Monday—when 100,000 Canadian soldiers surged out of their trenches behind a devastating artillery barrage. The Germans, caught off guard by the precision and intensity of the attack, were initially unable to respond effectively. Over the next few days, the Canadians advanced steadily up the slopes of the ridge, capturing key objectives in a series of well-coordinated attacks.

The four Canadian divisions fought together as a single unit for the first time, demonstrating exceptional discipline and bravery under fire. The battle was hard-fought, with the Canadians facing fierce German resistance, particularly on the northern section of the ridge, where Hill 145—later the site of the Vimy Memorial—proved to be a particularly tough objective. However, by April 12, the Canadians had captured the entire ridge, securing a significant and symbolic victory.

The cost of victory was high: over 10,600 Canadian soldiers were killed or wounded during the battle. Despite these heavy losses, the success at Vimy Ridge was a defining moment for Canada. It was the first time that all four divisions of the Canadian Corps had fought together, and their achievement earned them a reputation as an elite fighting force. General Byng, impressed by the performance of the Canadian soldiers, described them as "the finest troops in the world."

Main Players

The two key military leaders during the Battle of Vimy Ridge were General Sir Julian Byng and German General Ludwig von Falkenhausen, both of whom played pivotal roles in the conflict.

General Sir Julian Byng: A British officer, Byng was known for his thoughtful and innovative approach to warfare. He took great care to prepare the Canadian Corps for the assault, fostering a spirit of unity and professionalism within the ranks. After Vimy, Byng continued to lead the Canadian Corps until his promotion to command the British Third Army later in the war. He was later made Baron Byng of Vimy in recognition of his leadership during the battle.

General Arthur Currie: One of Byng’s top commanders, Arthur Currie, a Canadian officer, emerged as a key figure during the battle. Currie’s attention to detail and insistence on careful planning helped ensure the Canadian success at Vimy. Currie would go on to command the Canadian Corps for the remainder of the war, becoming the first Canadian to lead the force.

German General Ludwig von Falkenhausen: In charge of defending Vimy Ridge, von Falkenhausen’s forces were overwhelmed by the precision and intensity of the Canadian attack. Despite being well-fortified, the German defenses were unable to withstand the combined artillery and infantry assault, and Vimy Ridge was lost. After the war, von Falkenhausen remained a notable military figure in Germany.

The Vimy Memorial and Its Importance Today

The Canadian victory at Vimy Ridge became a symbol of Canada’s emergence as a distinct and capable nation on the world stage. After the war, the importance of commemorating the sacrifice of Canadian soldiers led to the creation of the Vimy Memorial, one of the most significant war memorials in the world. Designed by Canadian sculptor Walter Allward, the memorial towers over the ridge where so many Canadians fought and died. It was unveiled in 1936 by King Edward VIII and remains one of the most visited sites of remembrance for Canadians.

The Vimy Memorial not only honors the soldiers who fought in the battle but also serves as a tribute to all Canadians who served during the First World War. Inscribed on the monument are the names of over 11,000 Canadian soldiers who died in France and have no known grave. The memorial's striking design, featuring figures of sorrow, sacrifice, and peace, stands as a powerful reminder of the costs of war.

In addition to the memorial, the site at Vimy Ridge includes several preserved cemeteries, where many of the fallen Canadian soldiers are buried. The trench networks used by both the Canadian and German forces have also been preserved, allowing visitors to walk through the remnants of the battlefield and gain a sense of the conditions under which the soldiers fought.

The site remains a gathering place for veterans, schoolchildren, and relatives of those who died in the battle. It holds particular significance for Canadians, as the victory at Vimy Ridge is often seen as a defining moment in the nation's history—a moment when Canada earned its place on the world stage as a capable and united force.

The Battle of Vimy Ridge remains one of the most significant moments in Canadian history. It was not just a military victory but a defining moment for the nation, a time when Canada came together to achieve something that many other Allied forces had failed to do. The Vimy Memorial stands as a lasting tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought and died on that ridge, preserving their memory for future generations. For Canadians, Vimy Ridge is hallowed ground, a place where history, sacrifice, and national identity are deeply intertwined.