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Vimy Ridge
Olan of Attack April 9th 1917 |
The Canadian Corps of the First Army were tasked with the capturing Vimy Ridge as part of the overall plan for the Battle of Arras. The vital ground dominated the Douai Plain and was key to allowing the Third Army to exploit towards Cambrai.
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| Vimy Ridge - Panorama over Douai Plain |
The plan was to attack with the Canadian Corps four Divisions, 1st Canadian Division left, then 2nd, 3rd and 4th running left to right. Divisions would attack with two brigades up, one back. The British 5th Division would be the Corps reserve.
In preparation for the battle a preliminary bombardment would de directed at the German frontline defences and targets in depth up to 5,000 yards (4,600 metres). The Canadian Artillery was heavily reinforced. The Canadian Corps were allocated 9 Heavy Artillery Groups (HAG) which fielded 245 heavy artillery guns. The heavy artillery of I Corps would supplement the Canadian Corps adding another 132 heavy artillery pieces organised into 5 HAGs, plus 3 brigades of 4.5 inch howitzers.
The initial artillery preparation commenced 20th March 1917 with only half of the allocated guns firing in order to disguise the full extent of the artillery available. This phase of the bombardment continued for another 13 days. On the 2nd April the bombardment intensified, a start which the Germans termed 'this week of suffering'.
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| Canadian Artillery preparation Vimy Ridge |
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| German Defences Vimy Ridge |
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Canadian Artillery firing at night
Vimy Ridge |
Beneath Vimy Ridge an underground war had been waging since the British Army took control of the sector in March 1916. The British Tunnellers quickly gained the upper hand and by Summer 1916 dominated underground activities. The tunnellers were able to concentrate on supporting the offensive by creating subways and tunnels which protected troops moving into front line positions.
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Grange Tunnel
Vimy Ridge |
The attack would be supported by a creeping barrage. At Zero hour the plan started with intense fire on the German front trenches, 3 rounds per minute for 3 minutes . The creeping barrage would then move forward on predicted fire lines at 2 rounds per minute, lifting 100 yards every 3 minutes. Ahead of the creeping barrage 150 machine guns would create a bullet swept zone, Stokes mortars screening movement by firing smoke rounds. Counter Battery fires were planed against German positions using high explosives and gas.
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Vimy Ridge 6th April 1917
Barrage Map |
At 05:30 9th April 1917 the assault on Vimy Ridge commenced.
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Canadian troops go over the top
Vimy Ridge |
The Germans had endured a week of heavy bombardment and although casualties were not heavy the disruption to food supplies and the exhaustion caused by constant repairs to defences had demoralised the defenders. The weather was wintry and the wind blew sleet into the faces of the already demoralised German troops.
The creeping bombardment was successful in protecting the advancing Canadians whilst standing barrages prevented German reinforcements.
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| Canadian Artillery firing on Vimy Ridge |
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| Canadian troops advance Vimy Ridge |
By 06:25 the Canadians had secured the Black Line. At nightfall the Red Line was in Canadian hands and reinforced. The attack continued on 10th April, the Blue Line secured was taken by 11:00 and at 14:00 the Brown Line was achieved. The Canadians were now control of Vimy Ridge.
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| Vimy Ridge - Canadian troops look onto Vimy Village |
The only foothold the Germans held was on the left of Vimy Ridge, the Pimple. This was taken on the 12th April and all of Vimy Ridge was now in Canadian hands and they began to consolidate the position .
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| Vimy Ridge - Canadian troops consolidate their position |
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| Vimy Ridge - Canadians dominate the Douai Plain |
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| Canadian defences Vimy Ridge |
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| Battle of Vimy Ridge |
