Vimy Ridge Canada at War – A Defining Moment Pictures of the Canadian Corps at the Battle of Vimy...

Vimy RidgeVimy Ridge

Canada at War – A Defining Canada at War – A Defining MomentMoment

Pictures of the Canadian Corps at Pictures of the Canadian Corps at the Battle of Vimy Ridgethe Battle of Vimy Ridge

These pictures of the Battle of Vimy Ridge These pictures of the Battle of Vimy Ridge show the realities for the Canadians who show the realities for the Canadians who fought in World War I.fought in World War I.

The photos show a world of muddy The photos show a world of muddy trenches, barbed wire, exploding shells, trenches, barbed wire, exploding shells, crude dugouts, and filth, misery and death.crude dugouts, and filth, misery and death.

A Defining EventA Defining Event

The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a defining The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a defining event for Canada. It was the first time all event for Canada. It was the first time all four divisions of the Canadian Corps four divisions of the Canadian Corps fought together as a unit, and they fought together as a unit, and they acquitted themselves with distinction. It acquitted themselves with distinction. It was part of the change in Canada from a was part of the change in Canada from a subservient colony to a country which had subservient colony to a country which had paid for its nationhood.paid for its nationhood.

The CostThe Cost

The cost of the Battle of Vimy Ridge was The cost of the Battle of Vimy Ridge was high.high.

More than 10,600 Canadians were More than 10,600 Canadians were wounded; nearly 3600 Canadians died.wounded; nearly 3600 Canadians died.

The German forces suffered 20,000 The German forces suffered 20,000 casualties.casualties.

Lieutenant-General Sir Julian ByngLieutenant-General Sir Julian Byng

A British professional soldier, Sir Julian A British professional soldier, Sir Julian Byng was Commander of the Canadian Byng was Commander of the Canadian Corps at the Battle of Vimy RidgeCorps at the Battle of Vimy Ridge

Lieutenant-General Sir Julian Byng, Lieutenant-General Sir Julian Byng, Commander of the Canadian Corps Commander of the Canadian Corps

at Vimy Ridgeat Vimy RidgeByng was an unassuming man and was Byng was an unassuming man and was

well liked. A talented field commander, well liked. A talented field commander, Byng had a casual attitude about things Byng had a casual attitude about things like uniforms and salutes, but he was like uniforms and salutes, but he was meticulous about planning, training and meticulous about planning, training and discipline. His men called themselves "the discipline. His men called themselves "the Byng Boys" after a music hall review "The Byng Boys" after a music hall review "The Bing Boys are Here," which was playing in Bing Boys are Here," which was playing in London in 1916. Byng later became London in 1916. Byng later became Governor General of Canada.Governor General of Canada.

Major General Arthur CurrieMajor General Arthur Currie

Arthur Currie, Commander of the 1st Arthur Currie, Commander of the 1st Canadian Division, was a key strategist in Canadian Division, was a key strategist in the planning and execution of the the planning and execution of the successful assault on Vimy Ridge.successful assault on Vimy Ridge.

Arthur Currie, Commander of 1st Canadian Arthur Currie, Commander of 1st Canadian Division at the Battle of Vimy RidgeDivision at the Battle of Vimy Ridge

Kite Balloon for Aerial Kite Balloon for Aerial ReconnaissanceReconnaissance

Preparing for the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the Preparing for the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the Canadians used kite balloons for aerial Canadians used kite balloons for aerial reconnaissance to get information on reconnaissance to get information on enemy fortifications and movements.enemy fortifications and movements.

Kite Balloons Were Used for Aerial Kite Balloons Were Used for Aerial Reconnaissance Before the Battle of Vimy Reconnaissance Before the Battle of Vimy RidgeRidge

Kite Balloons Were Used in Preparation for Kite Balloons Were Used in Preparation for the Battle of Vimy Ridgethe Battle of Vimy Ridge

Pack Horses Carrying Ammunition Pack Horses Carrying Ammunition at the Battle of Vimy Ridgeat the Battle of Vimy Ridge

Canadian Field Artillery personnel brought Canadian Field Artillery personnel brought live shells to the front lines at the Battle of live shells to the front lines at the Battle of Vimy Ridge using pack horses. A Vimy Ridge using pack horses. A saddlebag could carry eight shells.saddlebag could carry eight shells.

These pack horses were taking These pack horses were taking ammunition to guns of the 20th Battery at ammunition to guns of the 20th Battery at the Battle of Vimy Ridgethe Battle of Vimy Ridge

Soldiers Lead Pack Horses With Soldiers Lead Pack Horses With Ammunition for the Canadian Field ArtilleryAmmunition for the Canadian Field Artillery

Mule Team Drawing Ammunition at Mule Team Drawing Ammunition at Vimy RidgeVimy Ridge

This picture shows a mule team pulling a This picture shows a mule team pulling a light railroad truck loaded with ammunition light railroad truck loaded with ammunition on a light railroad track near Vimy Ridge at on a light railroad track near Vimy Ridge at the Battle of Vimy Ridge.the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

A Mule Team Pulls a Light Railroad A Mule Team Pulls a Light Railroad Truck Loaded With AmmunitionTruck Loaded With Ammunition

Tent Under Water at the Battle of Tent Under Water at the Battle of Vimy RidgeVimy Ridge

A Canadian finds his tent and home under A Canadian finds his tent and home under water at the Battle of Vimy Ridge.water at the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

Tent Under Water at the Battle of Tent Under Water at the Battle of Vimy RidgeVimy Ridge

Truck Stuck at Vimy RidgeTruck Stuck at Vimy Ridge

This picture shows Canadians pushing a This picture shows Canadians pushing a truck out of the mud on a shell-battered truck out of the mud on a shell-battered road at the Battle of Vimy Ridge.road at the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

Canadians Push a Truck out of the Canadians Push a Truck out of the Mud at the Battle of Vimy RidgeMud at the Battle of Vimy Ridge

Canadians on Muddy Road at Vimy Canadians on Muddy Road at Vimy RidgeRidge

Canadians Make Their Way Down a Canadians Make Their Way Down a Muddy Road at the Battle of Vimy RidgeMuddy Road at the Battle of Vimy Ridge

The rain and mud, and sometimes sleet The rain and mud, and sometimes sleet and snow, were an added hazard for the and snow, were an added hazard for the Canadians at the Battle of Vimy Ridge.Canadians at the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

Canadians Make Their Way Down a Muddy Canadians Make Their Way Down a Muddy Road at the Battle of Vimy RidgeRoad at the Battle of Vimy Ridge

Canadians in a Fox Hole at Battle Canadians in a Fox Hole at Battle of Vimy Ridgeof Vimy Ridge

Canadians Taking Shelter at the Battle of Canadians Taking Shelter at the Battle of Vimy RidgeVimy Ridge

These Canadians are relaxing in a These Canadians are relaxing in a foxhole. A foxhole was a small shelter dug foxhole. A foxhole was a small shelter dug in the ground usually in the side of a hill or in the ground usually in the side of a hill or embankment away from the enemy.embankment away from the enemy.

Canadians in a Fox Hole at Battle Canadians in a Fox Hole at Battle of Vimy Ridgeof Vimy Ridge

Canadians Playing Cards at Vimy Canadians Playing Cards at Vimy RidgeRidge

Canadians Relaxing at Vimy RidgeCanadians Relaxing at Vimy RidgeThese Canadians are playing a game of These Canadians are playing a game of

cards in a shell hole at Vimy Ridge.cards in a shell hole at Vimy Ridge.

Canadians Playing Cards in Shell Canadians Playing Cards in Shell Hole at Vimy RidgeHole at Vimy Ridge

Canadian Light Horse at the Battle Canadian Light Horse at the Battle of Vimy Ridgeof Vimy Ridge

The Canadian Light Horse, an Alberta unit, The Canadian Light Horse, an Alberta unit, heads into action at the Battle of Vimy heads into action at the Battle of Vimy Ridge.Ridge.

Canadian Light Horse Going Into Canadian Light Horse Going Into Action at the Battle of Vimy RidgeAction at the Battle of Vimy Ridge

Digging in at the Battle of Vimy Digging in at the Battle of Vimy RidgeRidge

Canadian advanced reserves dig Canadian advanced reserves dig themselves in under shell fire during the themselves in under shell fire during the Battle of Vimy Ridge.Battle of Vimy Ridge.

Canadians Digging in at the Battle Canadians Digging in at the Battle of Vimy Ridgeof Vimy Ridge

Signalling Headquarters at the Signalling Headquarters at the Battle of Vimy RidgeBattle of Vimy Ridge

These Canadians are establishing These Canadians are establishing signalling headquarters at Vimy Ridge.signalling headquarters at Vimy Ridge.

Signallers were responsible for Signallers were responsible for communication equipment and relaying communication equipment and relaying messages.messages.

Establishing Signalling Headquarters at the Establishing Signalling Headquarters at the Battle of Vimy RidgeBattle of Vimy Ridge

Officer Directs Fire at the Battle of Officer Directs Fire at the Battle of Vimy RidgeVimy Ridge

A Canadian officer directs the fire of a A Canadian officer directs the fire of a captured German gun at Vimy Ridge.captured German gun at Vimy Ridge.

Canadians captured 54 guns, 104 trench Canadians captured 54 guns, 104 trench mortars and 124 machine guns at the mortars and 124 machine guns at the Battle of Vimy Ridge.Battle of Vimy Ridge.

Officer Directs Fire at the Battle of Officer Directs Fire at the Battle of Vimy RidgeVimy Ridge

Smashing Barbed Wire at the Smashing Barbed Wire at the Battle of Vimy RidgeBattle of Vimy Ridge

Trench Mortar Shells Are Used to Smash Trench Mortar Shells Are Used to Smash Barbed Wire at the Battle of Vimy RidgeBarbed Wire at the Battle of Vimy Ridge

Barbed wire in WWI was heavy, often Barbed wire in WWI was heavy, often high, deep and tangled, and it was difficult high, deep and tangled, and it was difficult to destroy. In this photo barbed wire is to destroy. In this photo barbed wire is smashed with trench mortar shells.smashed with trench mortar shells.

Smashing Barbed Wire at the Smashing Barbed Wire at the Battle of Vimy RidgeBattle of Vimy Ridge

Tank and Infantry at the Battle of Tank and Infantry at the Battle of Vimy RidgeVimy Ridge

This picture shows infantry advancing This picture shows infantry advancing behind a tank at the Battle of Vimy Ridge.behind a tank at the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

Tank and Infantry at the Battle of Tank and Infantry at the Battle of Vimy RidgeVimy Ridge

Troops Move Howitzer Into Position Troops Move Howitzer Into Position at Vimy Ridgeat Vimy Ridge

Troops move a howitzer into position Troops move a howitzer into position behind a damaged rail embankment at behind a damaged rail embankment at Vimy Ridge.Vimy Ridge.

A howitzer is a short-barrelled cannon A howitzer is a short-barrelled cannon used to hit hidden fixed targets.used to hit hidden fixed targets.

Troops Move Howitzer Into Position Troops Move Howitzer Into Position at Vimy Ridgeat Vimy Ridge

Naval Gun at Vimy RidgeNaval Gun at Vimy Ridge

In this picture troops are shown firing a In this picture troops are shown firing a naval gun behind Canadian lines at the naval gun behind Canadian lines at the Battle of Vimy Ridge.Battle of Vimy Ridge.

Firing a Naval Gun Behind Firing a Naval Gun Behind Canadian Lines at the Battle of Canadian Lines at the Battle of

Vimy RidgeVimy Ridge

Naval Gun Firing at Night at the Naval Gun Firing at Night at the Battle of Vimy RidgeBattle of Vimy Ridge

This picture shows a naval gun firing This picture shows a naval gun firing behind Canadian lines at night at the behind Canadian lines at night at the Battle of Vimy Ridge.Battle of Vimy Ridge.

Naval Gun Firing at Night at the Naval Gun Firing at Night at the Battle of Vimy RidgeBattle of Vimy Ridge

Canadian Machine Gunners at the Canadian Machine Gunners at the Battle of Vimy RidgeBattle of Vimy Ridge

Canadian machine gunners are dug in Canadian machine gunners are dug in shell holes in the advance at the Battle of shell holes in the advance at the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Vimy Ridge.

Canadian Machine Gunners at the Canadian Machine Gunners at the Battle of Vimy RidgeBattle of Vimy Ridge

No Man's Land at the Battle of No Man's Land at the Battle of Vimy RidgeVimy Ridge

Canadians Advancing Over No Man's Canadians Advancing Over No Man's Land at the Battle of Vimy RidgeLand at the Battle of Vimy Ridge

The 29th Infantry Batallion advance over The 29th Infantry Batallion advance over No Man's Land between the Canadian and No Man's Land between the Canadian and German trenches at the Battle of Vimy German trenches at the Battle of Vimy Ridge.Ridge.

Advancing Over No Man's Land at Advancing Over No Man's Land at the Battle of Vimy Ridgethe Battle of Vimy Ridge

Canadians Fire on Retreating Canadians Fire on Retreating GermansGermans

Canadians use a captured gun to fire on Canadians use a captured gun to fire on retreating Germans at the Battle of Vimy retreating Germans at the Battle of Vimy Ridge.Ridge.

Canadians Fire on Retreating Germans at Canadians Fire on Retreating Germans at the Battle of Vimy Ridgethe Battle of Vimy Ridge

Canadians Search German Trenches at the Canadians Search German Trenches at the Battle of Vimy RidgeBattle of Vimy Ridge

In this picture Canadians search trenches In this picture Canadians search trenches for hiding Germans.for hiding Germans.

The Canadians captured 4,000 prisoners The Canadians captured 4,000 prisoners at the Battle of Vimy Ridge.at the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

Canadians Search German Trenches at the Canadians Search German Trenches at the Battle of Vimy RidgeBattle of Vimy Ridge

Captured German Machine Gun Captured German Machine Gun EmplacementEmplacement

Canadians in a machine gun emplacement Canadians in a machine gun emplacement captured at the Battle of Vimy Ridge.captured at the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

Canadians captured 54 guns, 104 trench Canadians captured 54 guns, 104 trench mortars and 124 machine guns in the mortars and 124 machine guns in the battle.battle.

Captured Machine Gun Emplacement at the Captured Machine Gun Emplacement at the Battle of Vimy RidgeBattle of Vimy Ridge

Tending a Wounded German at the Tending a Wounded German at the Battle of Vimy RidgeBattle of Vimy Ridge

Canadian soldiers tend a wounded Canadian soldiers tend a wounded German on the battlefield at the Battle of German on the battlefield at the Battle of Vimy Ridge.Vimy Ridge.

Tending a Wounded German at the Tending a Wounded German at the Battle of Vimy RidgeBattle of Vimy Ridge

Canadian Wounded at the Battle of Canadian Wounded at the Battle of Vimy RidgeVimy Ridge

Wounded Canadian soldiers are carried in Wounded Canadian soldiers are carried in from the battlefield at the Battle of Vimy from the battlefield at the Battle of Vimy Ridge.Ridge.

Over 10,000 Canadians were wounded in Over 10,000 Canadians were wounded in the battle; 3600 died.the battle; 3600 died.

Canadian Wounded at the Battle of Canadian Wounded at the Battle of Vimy RidgeVimy Ridge

Stretcher Bearers at the Battle of Stretcher Bearers at the Battle of Vimy RidgeVimy Ridge

Canadian stretcher bearers and German Canadian stretcher bearers and German prisoners bring in wounded at the Battle of prisoners bring in wounded at the Battle of Vimy Ridge.Vimy Ridge.

Over 10,000 Canadians were wounded in Over 10,000 Canadians were wounded in the battle; 3600 died. the battle; 3600 died.

Stretcher Bearers Bringing in Wounded at Stretcher Bearers Bringing in Wounded at the Battle of Vimy Ridgethe Battle of Vimy Ridge

Stretcher Cases at Vimy RidgeStretcher Cases at Vimy Ridge

Wounded stretcher cases wait to be Wounded stretcher cases wait to be loaded on light railway cars at the Battle of loaded on light railway cars at the Battle of Vimy Ridge.Vimy Ridge.

Over 10,000 Canadians were wounded in Over 10,000 Canadians were wounded in the battle; 3600 died.the battle; 3600 died.

Stretcher Cases at the Battle of Stretcher Cases at the Battle of Vimy RidgeVimy Ridge

Sending Wounded on Light Railway Sending Wounded on Light Railway at the Battle of Vimy Ridgeat the Battle of Vimy Ridge

Wounded Are Sent out from the Battle of Wounded Are Sent out from the Battle of Vimy Ridge by Light RailwayVimy Ridge by Light Railway

The Canadian Red Cross and German The Canadian Red Cross and German prisoners help send the wounded out on a prisoners help send the wounded out on a light railway from the Battle of Vimy Ridge.light railway from the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

Wounded Are Sent out from the Battle of Wounded Are Sent out from the Battle of Vimy Ridge by Light RailwayVimy Ridge by Light Railway

Shell Explosion in the Village of Shell Explosion in the Village of VimyVimy

A shell explodes in what's left of the village A shell explodes in what's left of the village of Vimy, France.of Vimy, France.

Shell Explosion in the Village of Shell Explosion in the Village of VimyVimy

Happy Canadians After the Battle Happy Canadians After the Battle of Vimy Ridgeof Vimy Ridge

This picture shows happy Canadian This picture shows happy Canadian soldiers going to their billets for a well-soldiers going to their billets for a well-deserved rest after victory at the Battle of deserved rest after victory at the Battle of Vimy Ridge.Vimy Ridge.

Happy Canadians Returning to Rest Billets Happy Canadians Returning to Rest Billets After Battle of Vimy RidgeAfter Battle of Vimy Ridge

View of Vimy VillageView of Vimy Village

A view of the village of Vimy looking over A view of the village of Vimy looking over the crest of Vimy Ridge.the crest of Vimy Ridge.

View of Village of Vimy Looking View of Village of Vimy Looking Over the Crest of Vimy RidgeOver the Crest of Vimy Ridge

Canadians on Main Street VimyCanadians on Main Street Vimy

This picture shows Canadians walking This picture shows Canadians walking down the main street of the remnants of down the main street of the remnants of the village of Vimy.the village of Vimy.

Canadians on Main Street VimyCanadians on Main Street Vimy

A Canadian Grave Near Vimy in A Canadian Grave Near Vimy in 19171917

A Canadian grave near Vimy in June A Canadian grave near Vimy in June 1917.1917.

Nearly 3600 Canadians died in the Battle Nearly 3600 Canadians died in the Battle of Vimy Ridge that spring.of Vimy Ridge that spring.

A Canadian Grave Near Vimy in A Canadian Grave Near Vimy in June 1917June 1917

Memorial to the 2nd Canadian Memorial to the 2nd Canadian DivisionDivision

This picture from July 1918 shows a This picture from July 1918 shows a memorial to the men of the 2nd Canadian memorial to the men of the 2nd Canadian Division who were killed at the Battle of Division who were killed at the Battle of Vimy Ridge in France.Vimy Ridge in France.

Memorial to Men of the 2nd Canadian Memorial to Men of the 2nd Canadian Division Killed at Vimy RidgeDivision Killed at Vimy Ridge

Memorial to Canadian Grenadier Memorial to Canadian Grenadier GuardsGuards

This picture shows a memorial to the men This picture shows a memorial to the men of the Canadian Grenadier Guards who of the Canadian Grenadier Guards who were killed at Vimy Ridge in France.were killed at Vimy Ridge in France.

Memorial to Men of the Canadian Grenadier Memorial to Men of the Canadian Grenadier Guards Killed at Vimy RidgeGuards Killed at Vimy Ridge

BibliographyBibliography

The images and text in this presentation The images and text in this presentation were taken from the About.com web site were taken from the About.com web site on Vimy Ridge. The text was modified on Vimy Ridge. The text was modified only slightly from the original.only slightly from the original.

The sound effects are in the public The sound effects are in the public domain.domain.

The EndThe End