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| Canadian Memorial Vimy Ridge IJ |
The capture of the vital ground of Vimy Ridge was an essential pre-requisite to the Arras offensive. The ridge dominated the Douai Plane and Scarpe Valley which were the areas where the operation would be conducted.
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| Vimy Ridge view across Douai Plane |
The capture of Vimy Ridge was entrusted to the Canadians.
At 05:30 9th April 1917 the Canadian assault on Vimy Ridge commenced.
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| Canadian Troops Vimy Ridge |
The four assault divisions of the Canadian Corps left their trenches after a five minute hurricane bombardment, a technique developed by the Russians during the Brusilov Offensive.
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| Canadian TArtillery Vimy Ridge |
A creeping barrage saw the Canadian infantry moving forward on predicted fire lines at 2 rounds per minute, lifting 100 yards every 3 minutes.
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| Barrage Map Vimy Ridge |
By the afternoon 9th April most of Vimy Ridge was under Canadian control, the remaining part being captured the following day.
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| Canadian Soldiers Vimy ridge overlooking village of Vimy |
The significance of Vimy Ridge to the Canadians was such that it was chosen as the Canadian National Memorial dedicated to the memory of the soldiers of the Canadian Expeditionary Force killed during the First World War.
The foundation stones were laid in 1925 and construction took 11 years. It was unveiled by King Edward VIII on 26th July 1936.
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| Canadian Memorial Vimy Ridge |
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Canadian Memorial Vimy Ridge
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| Canadian Vimy Ridge Memorial Park |
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Canadian Vimy Ridge Memorial Park
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| Canadian Vimy Ridge Memorial Park |
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| Canadian Vimy Ridge Memorial Park |
