Battle of Vimy Ridge
The Battle of Vimy Ridge, fought from April 9 to April 12, 1917, was a significant engagement during World War I, marking a pivotal moment for Canadian military history. Located in northern France, Vimy Ridge was heavily fortified by the German army, featuring extensive trench networks, barbed wire defenses, and machine-gun emplacements. The Canadian Corps, comprised of four divisions under General Julian Byng, launched a coordinated attack in adverse weather conditions, including a snowstorm. Despite fierce resistance from German forces, the Canadians successfully captured the ridge after intense hand-to-hand combat and strategic maneuvers over several days.
The battle ultimately resulted in a total of 10,602 Canadian casualties, including 3,598 fatalities. The success at Vimy Ridge was notable, as it represented the most ground gained by any British or French offensive during the war up to that point, thereby enhancing Canada's international reputation. The victory also symbolized a sense of national pride and unity for Canada, as troops from across the country fought together, marking a significant step in the country’s development as an independent nation.
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Subject Terms
Battle of Vimy Ridge
Type of action: Ground combat in the Battle of Arras in World War I
Date: April 9-15, 1917
Location: A chalk height, between two river valleys, overlooking the Douai plain in France
Combatants: 30,000 Canadians vs. unspecified number of Germans
Principal commanders:British, General Hubert Gough (1870–1963); Canadian, Lieutenant General Julian Byng (1862–1935)
Result: Successful recapture and control of the backbone of the Germans’ new Hindenburg Line (Siegfried Line), which was linked to the main trench lines
The best-defended German bastion on the western front, Vimy Ridge had 250 miles of trench, 300 miles of barbed wire entanglements, and 200 tunneled machine-gun emplacements. At their farthest, the Canadians were 4,000 yards away; at their nearest, only 700 yards. Between the Germans and Canadians was no-man’s-land, a world of muddy holes and human bones.
During a blinding snowstorm at 4 a.m. on April 9, 1917, the four divisions of General Julian Byng’s Canadian Corps attacked. The battle’s first phase involved fierce hand-to-hand fighting and heavy opposition from German snipers and machine-gun crews. The British Fifth Army, led by Hubert Gough, assisted to the south, but with little effect. In two days, all the main parts fell to the Canadians, except the northern tip, called the Pimple (a maze of trenches, tunnels, and deep dugouts).
On April 12, another attack was launched at 5:00 a.m., in a gale of sleet and snow, and the Canadians claimed total victory three days later, at a cost of 10,602 casualties (including 3,598 dead).
Significance
Four Canadian divisions captured more ground and prisoners than any previous British or French offensive had in World War I. The battle magnified Canada’s international status.
Bibliography
Berton, Pierre. Vimy. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 1986.
Bishop, Arthur. Canada’s Glory: Battles That Forged a Nation. Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson, 1996.
Dancocks, Daniel G. Spearhead to Victory: Canada and the Great War. Edmonton: Hurtig, 1987.