The Battle of Vimy Ridge was fought during the First World War
World War I
World War I, also known as the First World War or the Great War, was a global war originating in Europe that lasted from 28 July 1914 to 11 November 1918. Contemporaneously described as, "the war to end all wars," it led to the mobilisation of more than 70 million military pers…
Western Front
The Western Front was the main theatre of war during the First World War. Following the outbreak of war in August 1914, the German Army opened the Western Front by invading Luxembourg and Belgium, then gaining military control of important industrial regions in France. The tide of the adva…
Why was the Battle of Vimy Ridge so important?
Why was the Battle of Vimy Ridge so important? Located in Northern France, Vimy Ridge was an important battle site as it stood higher than the France flatland, which allowed the Germans to control a larger portion of the France land. Vimy Ridge gave the Germans a distinct advantage for warfare and because of this the French and the English ...
How many people died in the Battle of Vimy Ridge?
The Vimy sector calmed following the offensive with both sides taking a largely live and let live approach. The French suffered approximately 150,000 casualties in their attempts to gain control of Vimy Ridge and surrounding territory.
What was the significance of Vimy Ridge Battle?
Vimy Ridge marks the day that Canada became an independent nation. The significance of the battle was not in the actual battle itself, but rather the effects that Canada would feel nationally afterwards. The objective was a ridge that ran from the northwest to the southwest between Lens and Arras, France.
Who died at Vimy Ridge?
Today, the Canadian National Vimy Memorial stands at Hill 145 on Vimy Ridge. There are more than 11,000 names inscribed on the monument — Canadians who died in France and have no known grave. TOP
Where is the Battle of Vimy Ridge?
Location of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Vimy Ridge is an escarpment 8 km (5.0 mi) northeast of Arras on the western edge of the Douai Plain. The ridge rises gradually on its western side and drops more quickly on the eastern side.
What was the Canadian Corps' goal in the Battle of Vimy Ridge?
Supported by a creeping barrage, the Canadian Corps captured most of the ridge during the first day. The village of Thélus fell during the second day, as did the crest of the ridge, once the Canadian Corps overran a salient against considerable German resistance. The final objective, a fortified knoll outside the village of Givenchy-en-Gohelle, fell to the Canadians on 12 April. The 6th Army then retreated to the Oppy – Méricourt line.
What was the village of Souchez captured by the French?
The French made another attempt during the Third Battle of Artois in September 1915 but only captured the village of Souchez at the western base of the ridge. The Vimy sector calmed following the offensive with both sides taking a largely live and let live approach.
How wide was the Vimy Ridge?
The ridge was 700 metres (2,300 ft) wide at its narrowest point, with a steep drop on the eastern side, all but eliminating the possibility of counterattacks if the ridge was captured. The Germans were apprehensive about the inherent weakness of the Vimy Ridge defences.
How many men were in the German army at Vimy Ridge?
In 1917, a full-strength German rifle company consisted of 264 men; at Vimy Ridge, each rifle company contained approximately 150 men. Each German regiment held a zone approximately 1,000 metres (1,100 yd) wide as far back as the rear area. When the Canadian Corps attacked, each German company faced two or more battalions of approximately 1,000 men each. Reserve divisions were kept about 24 kilometres (15 mi) back instead of assembling close behind the second line according to the defence-in-depth theory.
What was the name of the battle between Lys and Escaut?
Lys and Escaut. Associated articles. 1914 Christmas truce. The Battle of Vimy Ridge was part of the Battle of Arras, in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France, during the First World War. The main combatants were the four divisions of the Canadian Corps in the First Army, against three divisions of the German 6th Army.
How big is the Vimy Memorial?
A 100 ha (250-acre) portion of the former battleground serves as a memorial park and site of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial.
When did the Battle of Vimy Ridge start?
Battle of Vimy Ridge. The Battle of Vimy Ridge began at 5:30 a.m. on Easter Monday , April 9, 1917. The first wave of 15,000-20,000 Canadian soldiers, many heavily laden with equipment, attacked through the wind-driven snow and sleet into the face of deadly machine gun fire.
What was the name of the hill on Vimy Ridge?
Hill 145 , the main height on the ridge, was taken on the morning of April 10. Two days later, the Canadians took "the Pimple," as the other significant height on the ridge was nicknamed. The Germans were forced to withdraw three kilometres east and the Battle of Vimy Ridge was over.
What helped Canadians achieve a major victory on the Western Front?
Ample planning helped Canadians achieve a major victory on the Western Front.
What did Christian Curley do after he was injured?
After suffering injuries in the Battle of Vimy Ridge that left him a quadruple amputee, Christian Curley helped establish a program for disabled veterans which is still offered today.
What was life like in the trenches?
Life in the trenches. Life for soldiers in the trenches was miserable . They were often muddy and cold and had to live in the midst of pests like rats, lice and fleas. In this form of warfare, soldiers faced the enemy across a narrow strip of land between the opposing trenches.
When did the tank advance at Vimy Ridge?
A tank advancing with Infantry at Vimy Ridge. April 1917. Library and Archives Canada.
Who was awarded the Military Medal with two bars?
Francis Pegahmagabow was awarded the Military Medal with two bars, and fought for almost the whole of the First World War.
What was the Battle of Vimy Ridge?
The battle is Canada's most celebrated military victory after the four divisions of the Canadian Corps came together for the first time to capture the ridge from the German army.
How important was the Battle of Vimy Ridge to World War One?
Over recent years, scholars have questioned the iconic status of the battle - argu ing that understanding of what took place stems of a myth.
Where was Vimy Ridge?
Vimy Ridge is a seven-kilometre-long hill rising over the open countryside north of Arras.
What is the Vimy memorial?
The Canadian National Vimy Memorial is Canada's largest and principal overseas war memorial.
What is happening for the Battle of Vimy Ridge centenary?
The commemoration will take place at the memorial on April 9 to mark 100 years since the battle.
How many French soldiers were killed trying to move the Germans from the ridge?
More than 10,000 French soldiers had already been killed or wounded trying to move the Germans from the ridge so the Canadians had to attack across a corpse-littered graveyard.
Why was the high ground important to the Allies?
The high ground would give the Allies an important vantage point overlooking trenches on both sides and no man's land.
Where was the Battle of Vimy Ridge?
The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a military engagement fought primarily as part of the Battle of Arras, in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France, during the First World War. Paul Reed is a military historian, battlefield photographer, and author.
What was Vimy Ridge?
Vimy Ridge was the beginning of a budding Canadian consciousness.
How did the Canadians storm a ridge that had proved so hard to capture?
Victory at Vimy Ridge owed much to preparation. For one thing, unlike previous efforts the Canadian attack utilised tunnels. A growing appreciation of the value of artillery was also key.
Who commanded the Canadians at Vimy Ridge?
Julian Byng , the British officer who commanded the Canadians at Vimy, had learned the lessons of the previous year and knew how important artillery was. He didn’t just have his own Canadian gunners assisting him in the attack on Vimy Ridge, he also had a huge amount of British artillery loaned to him. Something like a million shells were fired.
What was the first Canadian battle?
The Battle of Vimy Ridge, fought between 9 and 12 April 1917 as part of the Battle of Arras in northern France, is widely regarded as a defining moment for Canada. Vimy Ridge was the first time the entire Canadian Corps, which was composed of at least 75,000 to 80,000 Canadian soldiers across four divisions, fought together.
Overview
The Battle of Vimy Ridge was part of the Battle of Arras, in the Pas-de-Calais department of France, during the First World War. The main combatants were the four divisions of the Canadian Corps in the First Army, against three divisions of the German 6th Army. The battle took place from 9 to 12 April 1917 at the beginning of the Battle of Arras, the first attack of the Nivelle Offensive, which …
Background
Vimy Ridge is an escarpment 8 km (5.0 mi) northeast of Arras on the western edge of the Douai Plain. The ridge rises gradually on its western side and drops more quickly on the eastern side. At approximately 7 km (4.3 mi) in length and culminating at an elevation of 145 m (476 ft) or 60 m (200 ft) above the Douai Plains, the ridge provides a natural unobstructed view for tens of kilometres in …
Prelude
On 28 May 1916, Byng took command of the Canadian Corps from Lieutenant-General Sir Edwin Alderson. Formal discussions for a spring offensive near Arras began, following a conference of corps commanders held at the First Army Headquarters on 21 November 1916. In March 1917, the First Army headquarters formally presented Byng with orders outlining Vimy Ridge as the …
Battle
German 6th Army commander General Ludwig von Falkenhausen was responsible for the Cambrai–Lille sector and commanded 20 divisions, plus reserves. Vimy Ridge itself was principally defended by the ad hoc Gruppe Vimy formation based under I Bavarian Reserve Corps commander General der Infanterie Karl von Fasbender. However, a division of Gruppe Souchez, under VIII Reserve Cor…
Aftermath
By nightfall on 12 April 1917, the Canadian Corps was in firm control of the ridge, having suffered 10,602 casualties; 3,598 men had been killed and 7,004 wounded. The 6th Army casualties were not known at first in the disorganisation after the defeat. Later sources state around 20,000 casualties, German historians credit the high number of German casualties to Canadian and Britis…
Commemoration
The Battle of Vimy Ridge has considerable significance for Canada. Although the battle is not generally considered the greatest achievement of the Canadian Corps in strategic importance or results obtained, it was the first instance in which all four Canadian divisions, made up of troops drawn from all parts of the country, fought together. The image of national unity and achievement is what…
See also
• Canada portal
• World War I portal
Citations
1. ^ Nicholson 1962, p. 229.
2. ^ Turner 2005, pp. 21–22.
3. ^ Moran 2007, p. 139.
4. ^ Nicholson 1962, p. 265.
What Was The Battle of Vimy Ridge?
Where Was Vimy Ridge?
- Vimy Ridge is a seven-kilometre-long hill rising over the open countryside north of Arras. To the east of the ridge was German occupied territory on the Douai plain; to the west were the British lines. German forces had taken the beneficial higher ground and remained there for most of the First World War given them a better vantage point, More than 10,000 French soldiers had alread…
How Many Died in The Battle of Vimy Ridge?
- The bloody assault saw 3,598 Canadians killed and a further 7,004 injured. There were an estimated 20,000 casualties on the German side. Four Canadians were awarded the Victoria Cross for their courage in the battle: Private William Milne, Lance-Sergeant Ellis Sifton, Captain Thain MacDowell and Private John Pattison. The battle has become an emblem of Canada's sac…
How Important Was The Battle of Vimy Ridge to World War One?
- Over recent years, scholars have questioned the iconic status of the battle - arguing that understanding of what took place stems of a myth. The battle was strategically insignificant to the outcome of the war and it raged on for another 19 months regardless. No major breakthrough on either side happened as a result of the battle. However, many Canadians saw the battle as a …
What Is The Vimy Memorial?
- The Canadian National Vimy Memorial is Canada's largest and principal overseas war memorial. It is located on the highest point of Vimy Ridge and is dedicated to the commemoration of the Battle of Vimy Ridge and Canadian Expeditionary Force members killed during the First World War. It serves as the place of commemoration for Canadian soldiers killed in France during the First Wo…
What Is Happening For The Battle of Vimy Ridge Centenary?
- The commemoration will take place at the memorial on April 9 to mark 100 years since the battle. Prince Charles, William and Harry will attend alongside the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. French president François Hollande is also expected to attend. Commemorations will also take place across Canada to mark the anniversary.