The Battle of Hill 70, fought from August 15 to August 25, 1917, marked a significant moment for the Canadian Corps in the First World War. This battle, occurring near the industrial town of Lens, France, was Canada’s first major operation led by Lieutenant-General Arthur Currie. Currie’s command of the Canadian Corps and his strategic innovations showcased Canada’s evolution from a subordinate force within the British Army to a respected and autonomous fighting unit. The Canadians’ success at Hill 70 not only inflicted severe losses on the German forces through well-coordinated counter-artillery and defensive tactics but also underscored their growing reputation as a formidable fighting force. Historian Tim Cook noted, “Hill 70 was a battle that saw the Canadians move beyond Vimy, cementing their place as one of the most effective and reliable units on the Western Front” (Shock Troops).
Strategic Context and Objectives of the Battle
By mid-1917, the Allies were eager to pressure German positions along the Western Front. The British High Command wanted to seize Lens, an industrial center vital to the German war effort due to its coal production. The capture of Lens would disrupt German supply lines and force them to shift resources to defend the city. However, Lieutenant-General Currie recognized the challenges of an assault on the city itself, with its narrow streets and heavily fortified positions.
Currie instead proposed an attack on Hill 70, a strategic high ground north of Lens that offered a commanding view of the city and the surrounding area. Taking Hill 70 would place the Canadians in a position to dominate Lens through artillery fire, compelling the Germans to counterattack. Currie anticipated these counterattacks and saw them as an opportunity to inflict significant casualties on the German forces, leveraging defensive positions to bleed the enemy. Historian Desmond Morton described Currie’s approach as “a calculated gamble, using the terrain to Canada’s advantage and turning German tactics against them” (When Your Number’s Up).
Currie’s Command and Preparations: Tactical Innovations
As the first Canadian to command the Canadian Corps in a major battle, Currie was determined to implement strategies that would protect his troops and maximize their effectiveness. Unlike previous operations that had relied on direct frontal assaults, Currie emphasized a methodical approach, prioritizing preparation and defensive planning. Currie’s tactical foresight included extensive artillery preparation, well-coordinated infantry movements, and, most importantly, the effective use of counter-battery fire to neutralize German artillery before the main assault.
Currie’s plan involved a meticulous preparatory bombardment to weaken German defenses on Hill 70 and to destroy their artillery. He deployed counter-battery artillery units to locate and silence German guns, reducing the threat to Canadian infantry during the advance. This focus on counter-battery fire was innovative and demonstrated Currie’s understanding of modern warfare, where artillery played a decisive role. Historian Pierre Berton remarked, “Currie saw artillery not just as a precursor to infantry but as a tool to control the battlefield, neutralizing threats before his men even began to advance” (Vimy).
In addition to counter-battery fire, Currie insisted on thorough training for every unit involved in the assault. Canadian troops practiced using detailed maps and models of the terrain, rehearsing their movements and learning the layout of Hill 70 to ensure they would not be caught off-guard. Currie’s preparation included meticulous attention to logistics, ensuring that his troops were well-supplied and supported throughout the operation. Historian C.P. Stacey observed, “Currie’s preparations for Hill 70 reflected his commitment to saving lives, knowing that a well-prepared soldier was a better-protected soldier” (A Very Double Life).
The Assault on Hill 70: August 15, 1917
The attack on Hill 70 began in the early hours of August 15, 1917, with a thunderous artillery barrage that targeted German defenses on the hill and along the slopes leading into Lens. The Canadian Corps moved forward behind a creeping barrage, a tactic they had perfected in previous battles, which shielded the advancing troops by keeping German defenders pinned down.
The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Canadian Divisions led the assault, advancing with precision across No Man’s Land and up the slope of Hill 70. The Canadians encountered fierce resistance, as German machine-gun nests and artillery positions targeted their movements. However, the intensity of the Canadian artillery bombardment and the effectiveness of Currie’s counter-battery strategy significantly reduced the threat from German guns. Historian G.W.L. Nicholson described the Canadian advance as “a disciplined and relentless surge, where each battalion knew its role and moved as one under the cover of their own guns” (Canadian Expeditionary Force: 1914–1919).
By midday on August 15, the Canadians had captured the crest of Hill 70, securing key positions along the ridge. The success of the initial assault was a testament to Currie’s planning and the Canadians’ discipline under fire. However, Currie anticipated that the German forces would not concede the hill without a fight. As expected, German forces launched a series of intense counterattacks, determined to reclaim the strategic high ground.
The German Counterattacks and Canadian Defensive Tactics
In the days following the initial capture of Hill 70, the Germans launched no fewer than 21 counterattacks, desperate to reclaim the ridge. These counterattacks involved waves of German infantry, supported by artillery and machine guns, aiming to dislodge the Canadians from their positions. The Canadian Corps, however, had prepared for this eventuality, setting up defensive positions and coordinating their artillery to support their infantry against the German assaults.
Currie’s use of defensive artillery fire proved crucial in repelling these counterattacks. Canadian artillery observers positioned on the ridge directed accurate fire onto the advancing German troops, inflicting heavy casualties and disrupting their formations. The effectiveness of the Canadian artillery, combined with the soldiers’ determination, allowed the Canadians to withstand repeated assaults, holding the hill under intense pressure. Historian Tim Cook remarked, “The German counterattacks at Hill 70 became a deadly trap, where Canadian guns and grit turned the ridge into a place of devastation for the attackers” (Shock Troops).
The 4th Canadian Division, positioned to reinforce the other divisions, played a vital role in holding the line during the most intense counterattacks. The Canadians fought from trenches and hastily constructed dugouts, using every advantage of the terrain to maintain their positions. In close-quarter combat, Canadian soldiers employed rifles, grenades, and bayonets to repel German forces that managed to reach their lines. The fighting was brutal, with high casualties on both sides, but the Canadians’ resilience and Currie’s defensive preparations allowed them to hold the ridge.
Outcome and Casualties
By August 25, 1917, the Germans had ceased their attempts to reclaim Hill 70, having suffered devastating losses in their repeated counterattacks. The Canadian Corps had successfully held the high ground, inflicting approximately 25,000 casualties on the German forces while sustaining around 9,000 casualties themselves. Although the price was high, the battle was a decisive victory for the Canadians and demonstrated their capacity to not only capture but also defend key strategic positions against determined opposition.
The victory at Hill 70 disrupted German operations in the area and allowed the Allies to maintain pressure on the German front lines. Although Currie’s original proposal to avoid a direct assault on Lens itself was not realized, the Canadians’ success in capturing and holding Hill 70 weakened German defenses and contributed to the Allied strategy in northern France. Historian Pierre Berton wrote, “Hill 70 was a Canadian triumph, not just in what was gained but in the losses inflicted on the enemy—a testament to Currie’s foresight and the Canadians’ tenacity” (Vimy).
Legacy of Currie’s Leadership and the Canadian Corps’ Growing Reputation
The Battle of Hill 70 was significant not only for the strategic victory it represented but also for the leadership and tactical innovation it showcased. Currie’s focus on preparation, his use of counter-battery fire, and his emphasis on defensive tactics marked a departure from the costly, headlong assaults that had characterized earlier battles on the Western Front. This approach saved lives and inflicted disproportionate losses on the German forces, reinforcing the Canadian Corps’ reputation as an elite fighting force.
Hill 70 also solidified Currie’s leadership, establishing him as a commander who prioritized the safety and effectiveness of his troops. Historian G.W.L. Nicholson noted, “Currie’s success at Hill 70 set a new standard for Canadian operations—one defined by careful planning, tactical flexibility, and a respect for the lives of his men” (Canadian Expeditionary Force: 1914–1919). This battle demonstrated that Currie’s strategic insights and commitment to innovation would guide the Canadian Corps through the remainder of the war, shaping Canada’s military legacy.
The Legacy of Hill 70: National Pride and Recognition
The victory at Hill 70 was celebrated across Canada, reinforcing a sense of national pride in the achievements of the Canadian Corps. Unlike previous battles where Canadian forces operated under British command, Hill 70 was the first major engagement where a Canadian commander, acting with considerable autonomy, had led the corps to victory. This autonomy and success contributed to Canada’s growing sense of identity and independence within the British Empire.
Prime Minister Robert Borden later acknowledged the impact of Hill 70, noting that it “underscored Canada’s role in the war and its capability to stand independently on the world stage.” For the Canadian soldiers who fought there, Hill 70 became a symbol of resilience and strength, a battle where they had proven their capability against one of the most formidable armies in Europe. Historian Desmond Morton captured the essence of Hill 70’s legacy, stating, “In the ashes of battle, Canada’s spirit soared; Hill 70 was a victory that belonged to the Canadians alone” (When Your Number’s Up).
Conclusion: Hill 70 as a Turning Point for the Canadian Corps
The Battle of Hill 70 was a turning point for the Canadian Corps, demonstrating their ability to conduct complex operations with limited British oversight and marking the evolution of the corps into one of the most effective fighting units on the Western Front. Under Currie’s command, the Canadians not only captured a key position but also inflicted severe casualties on the German forces, turning Hill 70 into a trap for those who sought to reclaim it.
For Canada, Hill 70 became a symbol of national achievement, a battle that proved the value of Canadian independence and leadership on the battlefield. The lessons learned at Hill 70—of preparation, tactical innovation, and defensive strength—would guide the Canadian Corps through future battles, culminating in their famed victories at Passchendaele and Amiens. As C.P. Stacey reflected, “Hill 70 was more than a battle; it was the moment Canada stood tall, a leader among nations, forged in the fire of war and the resolve of its people” (A Very Double Life).
References
- Berton, Pierre. Vimy. McClelland & Stewart, 1986.
- Nicholson, G.W.L. Canadian Expeditionary Force: 1914–1919. Queen’s Printer, 1962.
- Stacey, C.P. A Very Double Life: The Army in Canada and the Half Century of Conflict. Queen’s Printer, 1960.
- Cook, Tim. Shock Troops: Canadians Fighting the Great War, 1917–1918. Viking Canada, 2008.
- Morton, Desmond. When Your Number’s Up: The Canadian Soldier in the First World War. Random House Canada, 1993.