VIMY RIDGE – THE MAKING OF CANADA

Vimy’s History prior to 1917• The German fortifications at Vimy:– three layers of trenches– barbed wire– deep tunnels.

• The hill provided little cover for attacking Allied troops. • French attempts throughout 1915 resulted in approximately

150,000 French casualties. • The British army in 1916 were driven back before they could

plan a major attack.• Vimy Ridge important as the Allies needed to break through

the impenetrable German lines.

Vimy

• One of the greatest battles in Canadian history was the battle at Vimy Ridge, which began on 9 April 1917. Canadian bravery and valour led to the tremendous victory for the entire Allied Force and was considered the turning point of WWI.

Artillery Barrage

• In the week leading up to the battle, Canadian and British artillery pounded the enemy positions on the ridge, killing and tormenting defenders.

• The Canadian infantry would be well supported when it went into battle with over 1,000 artillery pieces laying down withering, supportive fire.

Julian Byng: Commander Canadian Corps

• Byng changed the course of the Canadian Corp in WWI.

• He believed that soldiers needed to be prepared to fight in a battle.– He made the soldiers run drills.– He gave them maps.– He fought for complete

support for the Canadian troops

Byng’s Comments

• “It is a sight: the dead are rather ghastly but a feat of arms that will stand for ever. Poor old Prussian Guard. WHAT a mouthful to swallow being beaten to hell by what they called ‘untrained Colonial levies’”

Tim Cook – Shock Troops (139)

Canada’s Vimy Ridge• For the first time in World War I, all four Canadian

divisions fought on the same battlefield. • They were led by Sir Arthur William Currie, who was the

first Canadian-appointed commander of the Canadian Corps. Currie determinedly kept the Canadian divisions together rather than having them mixed in with various British units.

• It was the first time the Canadians fought together, and they achieved a magnificent victory, sweeping the Germans off the ridge.

Arthur Currie – 1st Canadian Commander Canadian Corps

• Arthur Currie lead the 1st division of Canadians against the Germans at Vimy.

• He was trained by Byng and took over for him shortly after Vimy Ridge due to his performance during the battle.

First Major Allied Victory of WWI

• “It was the first major Allied victory of the war on the Western Front, in which the Canadians captured more ground, more prisoners, and more guns than any previous operation, all of which had been done against the heaviest of odds.”

Tim Cook – Shock Troops (148)

The Cost

• The victory of the battle of Vimy Ridge did not come without cost: Canadian casualties reached 10,602, of which 3,598 were killed. The opposing German force sustained a further 20,000 casualties.

Brigadier-General A.E. Ross declared after the war“In those few minutes I witnessed the birth of a nation."