A Brief Note On The Battle Of Vimy Ridge

Erik Sears

Mr. Whitfield

Social Studies 9-4

Wednesday, April 3, 2018

The Battle of Vimy Ridge World War One or also known as the “Great War” was the first major conflict in the twentieth century. It was supposed to be the war to end all wars, but unfortunately it didn’t live up to that name. There were many participants in World War One such as Germany, Italy, Austria-Hungry, the Ottoman Empire, Russia, France, Britain and its empire, which included Canada. Canada, a country of less than eight million at the time, had more than 650 000 men and women serve in the war. Of these 650 0000 men and women, 170 000 were wounded and 66 000 gave their lives in service of their country ("The Battle of Vimy Ridge"). One of the most famous battles of

This united the country because men from not just one town or province, but men from all across Canada came together to complete the infamous hurtle known today as Vimy Ridge ("The Battle of Vimy Ridge"). Throughout the Battle of Vimy Ridge, Canada took pride in the fact that many Canadians committed great acts of heroism. These acts of heroism were so great that not two, not three, but four Canadians earned the Victoria Cross, the highest medal that can be awarded to a commonwealth soldier ("The Battle of Vimy Ridge"). Private William Milne, Lance-Sergeant Ellis Sifton, Captain Thain MacDowell, and Private John Pattison all were awarded the Victoria Cross for their great acts of heroism on the battlefield (“The Battle of Vimy Ridge Historical Sheets”). Canadians also take great pride in the fact that the Battle of Vimy Ridge was the most successful battle for the allies in all of World War One. During the Battle of Vimy Ridge, Canadian soldiers captured more prisoners, territory, and artillery pieces than in any other battle in the entire war (“The Battle of Vimy Ridge Historical Sheets”). Some would say that behind every great army is a great leader, and the Canadian army at Vimy Ridge is no exception. The Canadians at Vimy Ridge were led by British Lieutenant-General Sir Julian Byng and Canadian Major-General Arthur Currie.

Vimy Ridge had a bad reputation among the allies for being an infamous fortification. Previous assaults on Vimy Ridge in 1914 and 1915 had costed hundreds of thousands of casualties and had been very unsuccessful (“The Battle of Vimy Ridge Historical Sheets”). It was soon known by the allies that Vimy Ridge was the most fortified position in the Hindenburg line (“Wilson-Smith”). Vimy Ridge was saturated with tunnels and trenches that were that were manned by highly trained German soldiers with many machine guns and artillery pieces (“Wilson-Smith”). On top of Vimy Ridge being the difficult fortification to take in the Arras offensive, the Canadians had to do it in horrendous weather. The weather was so bad that the assault had to be delayed by a day. The next day the weather still was menacing. As the Canadians stormed the ridge, they encountered driving wind, snow, and sleet ("The Battle of Vimy Ridge"). These two factors came together to make the perfect storm for the Canadians. The cost for the Canadians were high. Of the 100 000 Canadians from all four divisions, there were 10 600 casualties. Of these casualties, 3 600 were fatal ("The Battle of Vimy Ridge"). Against all odds, all four Canadian divisions, men from all corners of the country, came together as a united nation to complete the