Vimy Ridge

The Battle of Vimy Ridge: A Defining Moment for Canada and a Turning Point in the First World War

The Battle of Vimy Ridge, fought from April 9 to April 12, 1917, holds a special place in both the history of World War I and the shaping of Canada’s national identity. For the first time in the war, the four divisions of the Canadian Corps fought together as a unified force, delivering a resounding victory that not only gave the Allies a critical strategic position but also signaled Canada’s emergence as a strong and independent player on the world stage. The battle’s meticulous planning, tactical innovation, and the extraordinary courage of the soldiers involved contributed to its success. More importantly, Vimy Ridge came to symbolize the Canadian military’s rise and the sacrifices made by its soldiers during the war.

Strategic Importance of Vimy Ridge

Vimy Ridge was not just another piece of the sprawling Western Front; it was a highly significant geographic and strategic position. Situated in northern France, this ridge rose to 145 meters above the surrounding Douai Plain, providing the Germans with a commanding view over Allied positions to the west. From the ridge, German forces could effectively control the surrounding area, making it extremely difficult for the Allies to advance without facing heavy artillery fire and machine-gun positions.

The Germans had fortified Vimy Ridge with deep trenches, concrete bunkers, and a complex network of defensive positions, transforming the area into a near-impenetrable fortress. For the Allies, capturing Vimy Ridge was not just about territorial gain; it would also weaken the German defensive network across northern France and open the way for future offensives. Previous French and British assaults on the ridge had ended in disaster, with massive casualties and little progress. The French Army alone lost over 100,000 men in failed attempts to seize the ridge in 1915.

The Canadian Corps, which had gained experience and earned respect on earlier battlefields such as Ypres and the Somme, was tasked with achieving what others had failed to do. The British High Command placed great faith in the Canadians, and the capture of Vimy Ridge became a critical part of the broader Arras Offensive, which aimed to relieve pressure on the French forces launching the Nivelle Offensive to the south.

Command and Leadership: Byng, Currie, and the Canadian Corps

The success at Vimy Ridge was due in no small part to the leadership of Lieutenant-General Sir Julian Byng, commander of the Canadian Corps, and his chief subordinate, Major-General Arthur Currie. Byng, a British officer with an extensive military background, had gained the trust and admiration of his Canadian troops, earning the nickname “Bungo” from them. He was known for his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to learn from the failures of past offensives.

Major-General Arthur Currie, who would later succeed Byng as commander of the Canadian Corps, played a crucial role in developing the strategy for the attack on Vimy Ridge. Currie advocated for a modern approach to warfare that emphasized careful planning, detailed reconnaissance, and the use of artillery in close coordination with infantry. This shift away from the earlier tactics of mass frontal assaults was key to the success of the operation.

Order of Battle: Canadian Corps and German Defenders

The Canadian Corps was comprised of four divisions, each tasked with a specific sector of the ridge:

1. 1st Canadian Division: Commanded by Major-General Arthur Currie, responsible for the southern sector near Givenchy-en-Gohelle.
2. 2nd Canadian Division: Led by Major-General Henry Burstall, positioned north of the 1st Division and tasked with capturing the center portion of the ridge.
3. 3rd Canadian Division: Commanded by Major-General Lewis J. Lipsett, positioned north of the 2nd Division, advancing along the central spine of the ridge.
4. 4th Canadian Division: Commanded by Major-General David Watson, tasked with capturing Hill 145 and The Pimple, the highest and most heavily fortified points on the ridge.

The Canadian Corps was supported by British artillery units and some British infantry in reserve, but the attack was primarily carried out by the Canadians.

Facing them was the German 6th Army, commanded by General Ludwig von Falkenhausen, which had heavily fortified Vimy Ridge. The German order of battle included:

• 79th Reserve Division: Positioned on the northern sector of the ridge, responsible for defending Hill 145.
• 16th Bavarian Division: Holding the central and southern portions of the ridge, particularly around the areas near Givenchy.
• 14th Bavarian Division: In reserve behind the main defensive lines, prepared to counterattack or reinforce weak points in the defense.

The German defenders were deeply entrenched and supported by a network of machine-gun nests, artillery positions, and reinforced concrete bunkers. Years of preparation had transformed Vimy Ridge into one of the most formidable defensive positions on the Western Front.

The Plan: Artillery, Preparation, and Tactical Innovation

The attack on Vimy Ridge was planned with extraordinary attention to detail. Byng and Currie understood that the traditional tactics of mass frontal assaults, which had led to disastrous results in previous battles like the Somme, would not work against such a heavily fortified position. Instead, the Canadian Corps implemented a comprehensive strategy that relied on artillery coordination, precise infantry movements, and thorough preparation.

A critical element of the Canadian plan was the use of the creeping barrage, an artillery tactic designed to provide continuous cover for advancing infantry. The barrage, which involved over 1,000 artillery pieces, would move forward in timed increments, forcing the German defenders to remain in their trenches while the Canadian infantry advanced just behind the line of fire. This tactic required careful timing and coordination, as any misstep could result in Canadian troops being exposed to enemy fire or caught in their own artillery bombardment.

Preparation for the attack was equally meticulous. The Canadian soldiers were provided with detailed maps of the battlefield, and large-scale models of the ridge were built behind the lines to allow the troops to rehearse their assault. Tunnels were dug under the battlefield, allowing the Canadians to move closer to the German lines without being exposed to enemy fire. These tunnels were also used to store ammunition, medical supplies, and other essential materials, ensuring that the advancing troops had access to the resources they needed.

The Assault: April 9, 1917

On April 9, 1917, Easter Monday, the Canadian Corps launched its assault on Vimy Ridge at 5:30 a.m., under the cover of darkness and heavy artillery fire. The weather was cold, with snow and sleet falling, but the conditions did not deter the Canadians from advancing.

The attack was carried out by the four divisions of the Canadian Corps in a carefully coordinated sequence:

• 1st Canadian Division: On the southern flank, Major-General Currie’s division advanced toward Givenchy-en-Gohelle, where they encountered stiff resistance from German machine-gun positions. However, the creeping barrage worked as planned, and the 1st Division quickly overran the German front-line trenches.
• 2nd Canadian Division: To the north of the 1st Division, Burstall’s men moved up the center of the ridge. The 2nd Division faced heavy fire from German artillery and machine guns but pressed forward, using the cover provided by the artillery barrage to neutralize enemy positions. By mid-morning, they had captured several key objectives along the ridge.
• 3rd Canadian Division: Lipsett’s 3rd Division advanced along the central spine of the ridge, facing intense machine-gun fire and German counterattacks. The division made steady progress, capturing critical defensive positions and pushing the Germans back.
• 4th Canadian Division: The 4th Division, tasked with capturing Hill 145—the highest and most fortified point on the ridge—faced the fiercest resistance. The Germans, entrenched in deep bunkers and supported by artillery, inflicted heavy casualties on Watson’s men. The fight for Hill 145 involved brutal hand-to-hand combat in the trenches and craters of the ridge, but by the end of April 10, the 4th Division had secured the hill.

As the Canadians pushed forward, the German 16th Bavarian Division mounted several counterattacks, but these were repelled by the overwhelming firepower of the Canadian artillery and the determination of the infantry. By April 12, the Canadians had captured The Pimple, the northernmost point of the ridge, marking the final victory.

Successes and Failures of the Battle

The capture of Vimy Ridge was a stunning success for the Canadian Corps. In just four days, they had achieved what French and British forces had failed to do over the course of years. The creeping barrage, combined with the meticulous planning and preparation, allowed the Canadians to advance under cover and neutralize many of the German defenses. The use of tunnels, the distribution of detailed maps, and the training of troops on scale models of the battlefield ensured that every soldier knew his role and objectives.

However, the success came at a heavy cost. The Canadians suffered 10,600 casualties, including 3,600 dead. The 4th Division’s assault on Hill 145 was particularly costly, with the division suffering some of the heaviest losses of the battle. The German defenders, although overwhelmed by the artillery and the determined Canadian infantry, fought fiercely to hold their positions, inflicting significant casualties.

The Impact of Vimy Ridge on the First World War

The Battle of Vimy Ridge had a profound impact on the First World War and on the future of Canada as a nation. Militarily, the capture of Vimy Ridge gave the Allies control of a critical strategic position in northern France. It also marked a rare and much-needed victory for the Allies in a war that had been defined by stalemate and attrition. The lessons learned at Vimy—particularly the use of artillery in close coordination with infantry—would influence future Allied operations, including the successful offensives of 1918 that ultimately led to the end of the war.

For Canada, Vimy Ridge became a defining moment in its national history. The battle demonstrated the effectiveness of the Canadian Corps and solidified Canada’s reputation as a strong and independent military force. The success at Vimy also contributed to a growing sense of national identity and pride, as Canadians began to see themselves not just as part of the British Empire, but as a distinct nation with its own role to play on the world stage.

In the broader context of the war, Vimy Ridge was part of the larger Arras Offensive, which sought to divert German attention from the French Nivelle Offensive further south. While the Canadians succeeded in capturing the ridge, the larger offensive ultimately bogged down, and the war would continue for another year and a half. Nonetheless, the victory at Vimy Ridge marked a turning point for the Allies, showing that with proper planning, preparation, and leadership, even the most formidable German defenses could be overcome.