Searching for my grandfathers story in the tunnels beneath vimy ridge. Has anyone else had difficulty booking a tunnel tour at vimy ridge. Canada and the great war an irishmans diary on the. The opposing allied and german armies were stuck in a stalemate on the western front a vast line of trench works stretching from the north sea through belgium and france to the swiss. On april 9, 1917, during the assault on vimy ridge, he was struck in the. You come out at the same point as some of the troops in 1917. One hundred years ago the battle of vimy ridge began.
It gives the reader a clear picture of what happened in 1917. It is little wonder that the canada first world war memorial, finished in 1936, lies at vimy ridge, on land ceded to canada by the french government. In my previous post i described the lead up to and reasons behind the canadian victory at vimy ridge. The main combatants were the four divisions of the canadian corps in the first army, against three divisions of the german 6th army. The canadians were brave fighters in the cause of world. To view a digital representation of what vimy ridge was like in april 1917, please click here. Astonishingly, the german 79th reserve division trenches are only 30 metres away at this point in the sector. You see, today is the 96th anniversary of the battle of vimy ridge, a major event in my nations history and a defining moment for all canadians. They were used as underground protection for the canadian soldiers as they moved to the frontline. From the fall of 1914 until 1917 the german army held this eight kilometrelong ridge.
The idea that canadas national identity and nationhood were born out of the battle of vimy ridge is an opinion that is widely repeated in military and general histories of canada. Tunnels and trenches, canadian national vimy memorial 2014 duration. The carvings at vimy ridge the author viewing cave carvings near arras author during the runup to the battle of vimy ridge in world war i, canadian soldiers being staged underground in preparation for the attack created a number of remarkable carvings in the chalk caves around the town of arras. This first book in the series details the extensive mining operation along vimy ridge to arras. Mar 01, 2007 at vimy ridge, canadian soldiers achieved what more experienced soldiers from britain and france could not taking the strategic position of vimy ridge from the germans. The canadians used these passageways before the battle of vimy ridge as a way to protect soldiers as they moved to the front line. It was the battle that helped a young country discover its national pride, as for the first time, canadians fought as canadians, and achieved a significant victory.
Germany had control of vimy ridge early in the war and maintained it as a strong defensive position, with tunnels and trenches defended by soldiers with machine guns and artillery. Vimy ridge bordencarleton cenotaph research project. Go with peter mansbridge into the tunnels of vimy in our 360 documentary, then explore the memorial. Postcards, books and pamphlets related to the battle of vimy. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the storm at vimy ridge the western front series book 6. I knew, in that instant, why albert kessel named our farm vimy ridge farm. Vimy ridge farm, albert kessel, and a historical epiphany. The tunnels at vimy and arras are some of the most well known, but even these clearly only provide a small snap shot of the scale and complexity of the tunnel systems. Deep underground, vimy carvings tell the story of canadian. With the opening up to visitors of some of the caverns and tunnels under the. The battlefield tour, as always, was arranged a yea. A new visitor education centre at vimy memorial park was officially opened on 10 april 2017. Synopsis a battleground europe pocket book focusing on the battlefields of arras around vimy ridge, and highlighting the activities of the french army, the british occcupation of the vimy sector, and easter 1917 and the start of the battle of arras. Wallace of a baptist church in montreal, and published in 1917.
To take a virtual tour of the memorial, please click here to view a digital representation of what vimy ridge was like in april 1917, please click here to research the registry of information about the graves and memorials of more than 118,000 canadians and newfoundlanders who served valiantly and gave their. At vimy ridge, canadian soldiers achieved what more experienced soldiers from britain and france could not taking the strategic position of vimy ridge. This stunning victory followed years of failed attempts to. The vimy ridge underground tunnels also had small rooms where the officers would sleep and plan the battles above, but today they contain reconstructed furniture from the era. Over 11,000 of those killed died in france but they have no known grave. Vimy ridge to passchendaele 1917 combat book 25 by stephen bull and adam hook. Visitor education centre, vimy memorial park, france. The first two actions of the first phase, the simultaneous battles at vimy ridge to the north of. The canadian national vimy memorial site has considerable sociocultural significance for canada. The greek historian polybius, in his histories, described accounts of mining. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of world war one and canadian history for kids have assembled 31 remarkable stories about incredible people, places and events which helped shape our amazing nation a grateful nation never forgets a hero.
The vimy ridge monument is located at the highest point on vimy ridge and is actually where the battle. Unexploded dangers lurk below vimy the globe and mail. The storm at vimy ridge the western front series book 6. Sometimes we learn more about a particular soldiers experience by reading about a soldier in a similar situation. Mar 31, 2017 free ebook edition of canada and the battle of vimy ridge now available from the department of national defence.
The battle of vimy ridgepreparations library and archives. Free ebook edition of canada and the battle of vimy ridge. But the main reason he liked the movie is that it told the story of two people. Each and every canadian will surely remember what happened on that horrible battlefield. Tim cooks new book explores how the battle of vimy ridge has become. The correspondence of lt clifford almon wells, edited by his stepfather, pastor g. By 1917, after three years of fruitless slaughter, the first world war had become a struggle of attrition. The battle of vimy ridge, during the first world war, is canadas most celebrated military victory an often mythologized symbol of the birth of canadian national pride and awareness.
This canadian history for kids exclusive, looks at the battle of vimy ridge april 9th, 1917, easter monday, four canadian military divisions attacked vimy ridge in northern france during the first world war. It is canadas most celebrated military victory an often mythologized symbol of the birth of canadian national pride and awareness. Visit vimy canadian national vimy memorial veterans affairs. Among history buffs, the historic french town of vimylocated just southwest of lilleis a popular day trip destination from paris. A fish etched into the rock by a canadian soldier in 1917.
In another sense, this osprey combat series book provides a detailed, and harrowing, look at combat on the western front. In this post well explore the vimy ridge trenches and tunnels in an effort to better understand the horrors the men serving on the western front endured, even without being exposed directly to battle. Globe readers, in their own words, on loved ones who fought at hill 70, vimy ridge and passchendaele. Aug 15, 2017 vimy ridge is located in northern france, and is a long, high hill that dominates the surrounding landscape. This world war i battle site and its canadian national vimy memorial honors the more than 10,000 canadian soldiers who were killed and.
In this post well explore the vimy ridge trenches and tunnels in an effort to better understand the horrors the men serving on the western front endured, even without. Though many people outside of canada may not know much about it, the battle of vimy ridge was one of the most significant battles of world war i and a key moment in canadas history. The canadians rehearsed their assault and used miles of tunnels to approach the enemy lines. The battle of vimy ridge was fought during the first world war from 9 to 12 april 1917. German attack on vimy ridge, 21 may 1916 wikipedia. George hay the arras offensive of 1917 was divided into ten distinct actions comprising sizable battles along with flanking and subsidiary attacks.
The authors explain the background to the mining operations and they provide comprehensive maps of the network of runnels that covered this stretch of the front. Vimy ridge, not a soaring height, was taken and entrenched by german soldiers in the first month of world war i august, 1914. The canadian national vimy memorial is a memorial to all canadians who served their country in battle during the the great war of 19141918. April 9, 1917 world war i arthur currie leads all four divisions of the canadian corps, capturing most of vimy ridge by nightfall. When the canadians arrived in december of 1916, not only was the surface heavily battlescarred, the earth underfoot was a labyrinth of tunnels, some of which were 35 metres below the surface. Battle of vimy ridge major and mrs holts battlefield guide books. Alison and i walked the battlefield proper and visited the canadian national vimy monument, but thats only half the story. Published just in advance of the battle of vimy ridges 100th anniversary on april 9, awardwinning canadian historian tim cooks vimy.
The vimy memorial is managed by veterans affairs canada. The authors cover the development of the tunnels, their digging and the exploitation of existing caverns and tunnels, as well as their use once completed. The battle of vimy ridge was a world war i battle fought in 1917 near arras in northern france. Go with peter mansbridge into the tunnels of vimy in our 360 documentary, then explore the memorial as it looks today in a series of 360 photographs. In siege warfare, tunnelling is a longheld tactic for breaching and breaking enemy defences. The majority of the tunnels were shorter than 500 metres in length, but a few were longer, including the goodman subway 1 200 m. However, they were also used for the placing of huge underground mines beneath the german trenches. Canadas gleaming white, towering memorial to its dead of world war i is the stunning feature of vimy. This stunning victory followed years of failed attempts to retake the ridge, and months of planning and preparation for the operation. Arthur currie leads all four divisions of the canadian corps, capturing most of vimy ridge by nightfall. Canadian troops also earned a reputation as formidable, effective troops because of the stunning success.
I was told by our school travel company this morning that they have been unable to book a tour for us on the afternoon of friday 24th october. Within hours, they held in their grasp what had eluded both british and french armies in over two years of fighting. Free ebook edition of canada and the battle of vimy. Walk through one of the tunnels in vimy ridge youtube. The battle of vimy ridge was part of the battle of arras, in the nordpasdecalais region of france, during the first world war. They built tunnels into the chalky earth with bed compartments, ventilation, panelling on the walls and electric light. Vimy ridge boots on display at perths hall of remembrance. From both vimy ridge in france, and vimy ridge farm in saskatchewan, the two landscapes provide a near mirrorimage of space, sky, and panoramic earth. Jun 18, 2008 the battle of vimy ridge part 9 the battle joined and won duration. The battle of vimy ridge has been described by many as the turning point in canadas achieving nationhood but mckee spends most of his book recounting individual soldiers memories of the prelude, assault and postlude of the battle.
Amid sleet, mud and shellfire, the soldiers of the canadian corps fought their way up the ridge to take the high ground overlooking the douai plain. Vimy ridge is located in northern france, and is a long, high hill that dominates the surrounding landscape. Pierre berton, the noted author of more than fifty books on canadian history including one entitled vimy argues convincingly that this battle was the true foundation of a proud canadian identity. Visit of canadian war orphans to vimy ridge the orphans of vimy ridge 1925 duration. Apr 01, 2017 as canada marks 100 years since the defining battle at vimy ridge, many people are curious to learn more about their ancestors possible contributions. The centre provides information about the vimy ridge in the first world war and the part played by the canadian corps to recapture this important high ground in the battle of vimy ridge from 9 to 12. Interesting to be sure, but does not answer the question he posed above. By midday only the highest point of the ridge, hill 145, remained. From there they could see the allied trenches for miles in all directions. Discover the canadian national vimy memorial, an iconic symbol of remembrance and a tribute to all canadians who served during the first. Vimy ridge in north france is owned by the government of canada. April 9th, 1917, easter monday, four canadian military divisions attacked vimy ridge in northern france during the first world war. The battle and the legend is an insightful new exploration. Free ebook edition of canada and the battle of vimy ridge now available from the department of national defence.
After the collapse of the french offensives of 1915, the front line had stabilized and the war had gone underground making full use of the strong, chalk sub. This was particularly important at vimy where the german troops who held the ridge were able to see every aboveground movement that their opponent made. The four divisions of the canadian corps, fighting together for the first time, attacked the ridge from 9 to 12 april, 1917 and captured it from the german army. Deep underground, vimy carvings tell the story of canadian soldiers waiting for battle in an old chalk mine, a multitude of cave drawings were etched into the walls by canadian soldiers as they. Though many people outside of canada may not know much about it, the battle of vimy ridge was one of the most.
To research the registry of information about the graves and memorials of more than 118,000 canadians and newfoundlanders who served valiantly and gave their lives for their country, visit the canadian virtual war memorial. Dec 22, 2010 one chill easter dawn in 1917, a blizzard blowing in their faces, the four divisions of the canadian corps in france went over the top of a muddy scarp knows as vimy ridge. The first two actions of the first phase, the simultaneous battles at vimy ridge to the north of arras and astride the river scarpe in the centre, took place between april 9. The battle of vimy ridge part 9 the battle joined and won duration. Each book in the series has a short description of the formation and. This world war i battle site and its canadian national vimy memorial honors the more than 10,000 canadian soldiers who were killed and wounded during the 1917 battle of vimy ridge. Canadas gleaming white, towering memorial to its dead of world war i is the stunning feature of vimy today. It is one of a series of etchings in a tunnel under vimy ridge, just before the historic. The battle of vimy ridge began on easter morning 1917. The battle of vimy ridge was a defining moment in the war efforts of the canadian forces.
Vimy ridge is an unusually prominent, ninekilometrelong escarpment rising amid the open countryside north of the town of arras. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The germans intended to prevent mines being blown under german positions by capturing the british front line and mine gallery entrances. To the north and east of the ridge are the douai plain and the important coal mining city of lens in 1917 both were occupied by germany. The tunnels and trenches immediately next to the visitor centre would have been occupied by the canadian 3rd division. Vimy ridge to arras cave, nigel, robinson, phillip on. The four divisions of the canadian corps, fighting. When the canadians arrived in december of 1916, not only was the surface heavily battle.
The centre is administered by veterans affairs canada. The directorate of history and heritage at the department of national defence dnd and the canadian armed forces caf have released a free ebook edition of canada and the battle of vimy ridge, 912 april 1917, a 149page. The canadian corps also outnumbered the defenders by 35,000 to 10,000, and, with flank support. In one sense, this account of the battles of vimy ridge and passchendaele in 1917 marks the coming of age of the canadian army, whose troops figured prominently in both battles. The directorate of history and heritage at the department of national defence dnd and the canadian armed forces caf have released a free ebook edition of canada and the battle of vimy ridge, 912 april 1917, a 149page resource about. The result is the recreation of the battle of vimy ridge as it really was. Behind the merciless precision of the canadian assault lay months of planning and preparation, of meticulous rehearsal. The canadians were brave fighters in the cause of world peace. Apr 15, 2018 the result is the recreation of the battle of vimy ridge as it really was. The subsoil in the area of vimy ridge is chalk and easily lends itself to entrenchment and mining warfare. The german attack on vimy ridge, 21 may 1916 unternehmen schleswigholsteinoperation schleswigholstein was a local attack on the western front during the first world war. Tunnelling companies of the royal engineers wikipedia. In total, robinson believes that there are about 10 miles of tunnels at vimy ridge with the deepest being dug to 100 feet.
Several times the allies tried to take it from the germans without success. The storm at vimy ridge the western front series book 6 kindle edition by minor, stuart. This was the case when i read from montreal to vimy ridge and beyond. After being through the trenches and tunnels in vimy ridge a few years ago, he was intrigued to see the way soldiers sat on either side of a trench while waiting to go up into battle. Battle of vimy ridge simple english wikipedia, the free. Stories from the front pages of canadian newspapers that reported on vimy ridge on april 10, 1917 vimy 100 the saturday edition of the national post imagined what the paper might have looked like. Mar 23, 2007 on the morning of april 9, 1917, troops of the canadian corps under general julian byng attacked the formidable german defences of vimy ridge. Tunnels were heavily used in places and battles such as hohenzollern, st.
Vimy ridge trenches exploring the vimy ridge battlefield. This canadian history for kids exclusive, looks at the battle of vimy ridge. Before the ground battle could even begin, the air battle had to be fought and wonin the face of crack german fighter units assembled to stop the. Tim cook many historians and writers consider the canadian victory at vimy a defining moment for canada, when the country emerged from under the shadow of britain and felt capable of greatness. How to research your personal connection to vimy ridge ctv news. The battle took place on the western front, in northern france. Vimy ridge is a gradually rising escarpment on the western edge of the douai plains, eight kilometres 5. Philip robinson, royal engineers rtd, have found that vimy ridge had far more tunnels built than previously believed. Whilst the renovations are being carried out you can also pick up books and videos, as well as an information leaflet about the site. Since then, generations of canadians have shared a deep emotional attachment to the battle, inspired partly by the spectacular memorial on the battlefield. Peter mansbridge inside the tunnels at vimy ridge cbc. It is important to understand how and where tunnels have been used in warfare.