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VIMY RIDGE April 9-April 12, 1917

VIMY RIDGE April 9-April 12, 1917. “They had succeeded where others had failed.”. Germans held the tactical ridge since 1914. Both French and British forces had failed since then to gain control of the ridge, accumulating nearly 130,000 casualties in the process.

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VIMY RIDGE April 9-April 12, 1917

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  1. VIMY RIDGEApril 9-April 12, 1917

  2. “They had succeeded where others had failed.” • Germans held the tactical ridge since 1914. • Both French and British forces had failed since then to gain control of the ridge, accumulating nearly 130,000 casualties in the process. • In April, it was left to four divisions of the Canadian Corps, nearly 100,000 men.

  3. Important Objective • Key position of the German line in France • If taken the German position would be de-stabililized • The ridge gave Germans a clear an uninterrupted sight of all allied advances • If it stayed in German hands it would ensure failure on the front and cost countless more lives

  4. Leadership • The attack was based on the planning and leadership of Major-General Arthur Currie and Lieutenant-General Sir Julian Byng • They developed a “Canadian” Offensive strategy.

  5. Creeping Barrage • The Canadian plan called for artillery to keep exact pace in front of the Canadian troops moving across no-man’s land…100 yards every 3 minutes.

  6. Results: Canadians achieved all of their objectives • Over a three day period, the Canadian Corps was able to take the ridge…something neither the French or British could do in 3 years. • The price was heavy: 10,500 casualties, including 3,598 dead. • Canada established themselves as an elite fighting force. • It is often said that Canada’s sons left their home as young colonials but returned as Canadians.

  7. “The seeds of Canadian nationhood were planted at Vimy, watered with the blood of 10,000 dead and wounded.”

  8. Vimy Ridge VIDEO (30 min)

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