Ex Magpie Progress 25 - Vimy Ridge

 

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. 

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. 

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.

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.  

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.

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. 

Canadian Memorial Vimy Ridge

Canadian Memorial Vimy Ridge

Canadian Vimy Ridge Memorial Park

Canadian Vimy Ridge Memorial Park

Canadian Vimy Ridge Memorial Park

Canadian Vimy Ridge Memorial Park

Op Piper - Vimy Ridge

As part of the overall plan for the Battle of Arras, it was vital to capture Vimy Ridge, high ground that dominated the Douai Plain. The Canadian Corps of the First Army were successful in its capture on the 9th of April 1917, ahead of the main assault.

Vimy Ridge overlooking Douai Plain

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. It was rededicated on 9th April by Queen Elizabeth II on the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

Vimy Ridge Canadian Memorial

Vimy Ridge Canadian Memorial

Vimy Ridge Canadian Memorial

Vimy Ridge Canadian Memorial

Vimy Ridge Canadian Memorial

Vimy Ridge Canadian Memorial
Tyneside Scottish Branch RAA

Vimy Ridge Canadian Memorial

Vimy Ridge Canadian Memorial

Arras - Canadian National Memorial

Situated on Vimy Ridge is 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. It was rededicated on 9th April by Queen Elizabeth II on the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

Canadian National Memorial Vimy Ridge



Canadian National Memorial
Vimy Ridge

Canadian National Memorial
Vimy Ridge

The memorial records the Battle Honours of the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

Canadian National Memorial Vimy Ridge
Canadian Battle Honours

 Carved on the walls of the monument are the names of 11,285 Canadian soldiers who were killed in France and whose final resting place being unknown when the memorial was completed.



Canadian National Memorial Vimy Ridge
Names of those with no known grave

 

TO THE VALOUR OF THEIR COUNTRYMEN IN THE GREAT WAR AND IN MEMORY OF THEIR SIXTY THOUSAND DEAD THIS MONUMENT IS RAISED BY THE PEOPLE OF CANADA

Arras - Battle of Vimy Ridge

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.

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'.

Canadian Artillery preparation Vimy Ridge

German Defences Vimy Ridge

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.

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.

Vimy Ridge 6th April 1917
Barrage Map

At 05:30 9th April 1917 the assault on Vimy Ridge commenced.

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. 

Canadian Artillery firing on Vimy Ridge

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.

 

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 .

Vimy Ridge - Canadian troops consolidate their position

Vimy Ridge - Canadians dominate the Douai Plain

Canadian defences Vimy Ridge

Battle of Vimy Ridge