The Vimy Monument
Anyone living in Canada around Remembrance Day will notice that Vimy Ridge is mentioned multiple times. When I first arrived, I was unable to understand why Vimy Ridge was such an important achievement for the Canadian Army. After all, everything the rest of the world learns about the First World War centres largely on the US, UK, France and Germany. As I’ve mentioned before, Canada is rarely mentioned. After several months working at the Royal Canadian Military Institute I have begun to understand the significance behind Canada’s victory at the Battle of Vimy Ridge. The victory did not have any significant impact on the outcome of the war, but it had an enormous impact on Canada’s nationhood.
Why Vimy?
French General Robert Nivelle believed the key to the war on the Western Front lay in an area called Chemin das Dames. His plan called for the British (and Canadians) to strike at Arras, while the French attacked the southern end of the salient in unison to force the Germans on the backfoot. The key to Arras lay at Vimy Ridge, a stretch of high ground overlooking the area. It was a strategic position that had already been fought over multiple times since the start of the war. British generals turned to the Canadian Corp, their most efficient divisions to take Vimy.
Preparations
The Canadian Battle Plan
Showing the increasing need to modernize their tactics, the British deployed their Air Force to reconnoitre the ridge and note enemy positions. Having achieved this, for one week preceding the attack, British Artillery constantly bombarded the ridge to subdue the German 6th Army which stood in opposition. The artillery had also improved with new high explosive shells that exploded on impact and damaged barbed wire and other obstacles. Canadian officers were taught lessons learned from the French Battle at Verdun and their objectives were made clear. Soldiers underwent extensive training in the weeks leading up to the attack. Supply and communication lines were increased and ensured to be functional.
The Battle
Canadian Troops advance at Vimy
At 5:30 AM on the 9th of April 1917, the entire Canadian Corp unleashed a furious barrage upon the Germans. Every single gun available to the Canadians opened fire in a creeping barrage with the infantry following closely behind. Gas shells kept the Germans pinned. The Canadians advanced up the ridge facing heavy resistance. Countless incidents of bravery and sacrifice in those days have been recorded. By the 12th of April, the ridge had been taken. 3600 Canadians lay dead with approximately another 7000 wounded.
The Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross
The soldier’s heroism is evident in the fact that four Canadians won the Victoria Cross, the Empires highest military honour, at Vimy for exceptional bravery and gallantry. Three of the four who received it died either at Vimy or during the war. Only one survived the war.
Canada Emerges
Canadian Troops return from Vimy
The overall Entente plan failed, but the Canadian success at Vimy was a spectacular victory for the nation. For the first and only time in the war, all four divisions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force had fought together. Men from all over the country had fought side by side and achieved victory. The battle had established the CEF as the elite shock troops of the Entente Army. It had raised their morale and more importantly it had allowed Canada to emerge from the shadow of the British Empire.
The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a significant moment for the nation of Canada, one that is not discussed much and falls in the shadow of Verdun, Somme and Ypres. The Americans have Yorktown, the USSR had Stalingrad and Canada has Vimy.
While the rest of the world may not remember Vimy, it is imperative that we do. We must remember the sacrifice of the men on that ridge. We must remember why they gave their lives. As Brigadier-General A.E. Ross aptly surmised,
“In those few minutes I witnessed the birth of a nation.”
By: Hammad Junejo
Citations
Neiberg, Michael S. Fighting the Great War: A Global History. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2005.
"The Battle of Vimy Ridge." Canadian War Museum. Accessed February 03, 2019. https://www.warmuseum.ca/the-battle-of-vimy-ridge/.
"Victoria Cross Recipients." The Vimy Foundation. Accessed February 03, 2019. https://www.vimyfoundation.ca/victoria-cross-recipients/.