Much has been written about Vimy and a couple of reading suggestions are “Vimy” by Pierre Berton and “Victory at Vimy” by Ted Barris. There is also a new book out by Tim Cook that I have not read.
Whether you believe or do not believe that Canada become a nation that day is irrelevant. For me, it is about the World recognizing that Canada was a place of its own and was not just a colony of the British Empire. In addition, Vimy showed that through detailed planning and training, great things could be accomplished.
The fact is the Canadians succeeded where the French and British troops failed. The French sent 20 Divisions to Vimy in 1915 and had 150,000 casualties. The British fared no better. The Allied forces needed a win. They suffered unspeakable casualties at Passchendaele and the Somme. The Canadians faced German gas for the first time at Ypres and had to use urine covered clothes to breathe though. The Allied troops were being cut down by German machine guns as they used out dated tactics to move forward in battle.
Julian Byng, a British officer, commanded the Canadian troops at Vimy. Along with Arthur Currie, a Canadian from Victoria, they produced a considerable different strategy to attack Vimy Ridge. Byng believed that all the troops should understand the entire battle plan in order to be able to execute and improvise as necessary in the field. The Canadians trained for months on the detailed battle plan that included understanding every piece of the terrain and perfecting their timing for moving forward.
The Canadians dug tunnels to place explosives under the German lines. These were detonated and the big guns pounded the German positions prior to the ground attack starting. As the Canadians moved forward from the trenches, the Canadian artillery continued to fire over their heads at the Germans. The timing had to be precise and for the Canadians who moved forward to quickly, they were killed by friendly fire. This strategy allowed the Canadians to advance on the German positions as the Germans were pinned down by relentless cover fire. Almost 4,000 Canadians died at Vimy Ridge, although, this was far smaller then the Canadians who died at the Somme.
The Canadian Divisions were made up of battle hardened veterans of the previous battles in France and Belgium and new recruits who filled the places vacated by those men lost before them. They were virtually all volunteers with 50% of the troops coming from Western Canada even though Western Canada made up less than 25% of the Canadian population. Western Canada had been opened for agriculture in the years before World War I and many of the immigrants came from Scotland and England. The Scots and Brits signed up in droves to fight for “King and Country”. The Scandinavians, Poles, French and other immigrants did not feel the same attachment and were generally less inclined to enlist right away. The Canadians were skilled in shooting, handling horses and fixing equipment and they used these skills to their advantage.
Before the War started, unemployment was high in Canada and some felt this was an opportunity for them to seek adventure. Others wanted a chance to see their homeland again. Many were sure it would be a short campaign and they would be home before Christmas. They were wrong.
I do not believe Vimy Ridge should be used as a justification for war or as a glorification of war. These Canadians humbly went forward and did the job that was set before them. They prevailed under difficult, horrific circumstances and sacrificed more than most of us can understand. The best we can do is recognize and honor their sacrifices. They deserve nothing less.
My second cup is now empty…………..
