Artifact 1 Vimy Ridge

The battle of Vimy Ridge took place on April 9-12, 1917, when Canadian soldiers went face to face with German soldiers in a vicious battle. Prior to Canadian soldiers attacking the hill, 150,000 French and British soldiers had fallen trying to take Vimy Ridge since 1914. This ridge provides a key viewing point of the surrounding area as it was the only high spot for hundreds of kilometres.  This means those who controlled the hill could see their enemy movements days in advance. What makes this battle so unique for Canadians is that it marked the first time that all four Canadian divisions got to fight together and be under the command of Canadian commanders. This also showed Canadian commanders' success when finally commanding their troops, with a commanding victory and limited deaths. A Canadian soldier's diary quote demonstrates their approval of the limited casualties: “Our casualties were not very heavy.” Previously, Canadian soldiers either fought with other nations or under the command of the British.  After the battle, the Allied press claimed that “this was the greatest victory we had yet gained in this war.” Many people see this battle as one that brought Canadians together as it made them proud of the accomplishments of brave men. The event on the battlefield can be interpreted as the “ foundation of a national construction”.  It's thanks to those brave men in the battle of Vimy Ridge that helped show that Canadians were more than just a Commonwealth nation; they were an independent nation who were finding their true identity.  This picture helps show that the contributions of Cadnains in World War One are not forgotten, as a massive monument was created to honour the battle and the soldier who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Additionally, the few kilometres of land surrounding Vimy Ridge were given as a gift to Canada and considered Canadian soil.  

Bibliography: 

The Canadian Press. “Diary of Canadian Artilleryman at Vimy Ridge Chronicles Historic Battle.” Canadian Press, The. Accessed December 17, 2024. 

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Barris, Ted. Victory at Vimy : Canada Comes of Age, April 9-12, 1917. First paperback edition. Dundurn, 2017. pg 215.

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