Why Is Vimy Ridge Important

The Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) was the entire overseas force fielded by Canada during the First World War. Of the 630,000 Canadians who enlisted for military service, 424,000 went overseas as part of the CEF. The Canadian Corps that fought on the Western Front was the CEF’s largest formation and its principal combat element, but not its only one. Other units in the CEF served outside the Corps, including the Canadian Cavalry Brigade, forestry and railway units, and various medical hospitals. Canada played a key role in World War One. They would join as a part of the British Empire starting in 1914. At the time Canada joined the war Great Britain was declaring war on Germany, which would later make Canada a part of the war. This would

Trench warfare was a land tactic used by the military services to help give protection from the enemy’s gunfire when using small arms. The CEF had large numbers, which is good but has its down falls. The CEF would taker be put to the task of capturing Vimy Ridge. Vimy ridge was very important, if captured it would give the controlling side a huge advantage to strategize and set up more tactical opportunities. Vimy Ridge took place on 9 April 1917, where approximately 4,000 Canadians were killed in action. It was a huge victory for not only the allied side of Britain but also the Canadians. Vimy Ridge, a turning point in World War One, high casualties and a huge impact on the war. Close to a hundred thousand Canadians poured from trenches, dugouts and tunnels, surged up a slope and conquered an enemy position considered impregnable by its German defenders and, frankly, by Canada’s allies. What really helped the Canadian troops out a lot was the tactics that were used to secure the ridge. The artillery would fire leaving a cloud of smoke so the forces could move up closer and closer. Vimy Ridge would go in the history books as one of the most important battles in Canadian History. The tactics, the platoons and the strategies would determine the failure or accomplishment of this

At ten miles long, both Germans and British and French troops had fought for it on several occasions. However, the Germans had maintained their control over the ridge and this gave them a strategic advantage over the Allies in the region. There was so much planning that went into the effort to take the ridge. Along with all the planning there would be some downfalls that would happen. Trying to figure out an attack from the front was very risky and people knew that there would be many fatalities in trying ton conquer it. The French were trying to capture it for years before Canada was put in to help. In all, the French suffered approximately 150,000 casualties in their attempts to gain control of Vimy Ridge and surrounding territory. April 9th, 1917, four divisions of Canada would all unite and fight as a unit to take their shot at the ridge. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th division would be doing the work from Canada’s side. Training for Vimy Ridge was thought out and played a huge role in the capture. Every step leading up to this was taken serious and without it the mission would have most likely turn out to be a