The Battle of Vimy Ridge

The Battle at Bunker Hill had many events leading up to, and causing the event. The first of these was the Battle at Lexington and Concord which ultimately slowed the British down and keeping them inside Boston by Minute Men. Then Fort Ticonderoga was captured by Benedict Arnold, and the Green Mountain Boys. These two events were the start of the tensions between Great Britain and the Colonies. Later this tension became physical and appearing on the battle field. The Colonies decided they needed to talk about it, so the Second Continental Congress took place, it was here that it was decided that the Colonies would try and separate from their Mother Country, so the Continental Army was formed the Congress came to a conclusion “All voted in favor and Washington became the new Commander-in-Chief” (Yost, 2011, p. 2). The Continental Army’s first mission was to fortify Breed’s Hill and defend it from the British coming from Boston, which Breed’s Hill and Bunker Hill overlooked. The British wanted these positions in order to completely fortify Boston and drive all the Patriots out of the area.

One of Canada’s largest military endeavors was the battle of Vimy Ridge during World War One. It was a fierce battle between Germans and Canadians. Canada was trying to take over the German controlled ridge, which ran from northwest to southwest between Lens and Arras, France. Its highest point was 145 feet above sea level, which was exceptionally helpful in battle because of the very flat landscape. Already over 200,000 men had fallen at Vimy, all desperately trying to take or defend this important and strategic ridge. As a result of its success in taking the ridge, Canada gained a lot more than just the strategic point. Canada was united as a nation, and the victory changed the way other counties viewed them. Canadians no longer

The Battle of Somme had a significant impact on Canadian nationalism by uniting people under a shared identity. This battle brought Canadians together against a common cause despite the intensity of the war and the heavy death toll. The majority of the deaths were young men from Newfoundland. The Battle of the Somme was a significant event in the First World War. The bravery and accomplishments of Canadian soldiers there helped establish their growing reputation as skilled defensemen who could face opposition in the face of heavy fire. Before WW1, Canada was merely a Federation that did not have the soul and unity of a nation. Residents did not identify themselves as “Canadians” until this momentous occasion in the war that helped cement the

As young men gathered and worked together at Valcartier for wartime training, they began to develop a sense of Canadian identity. During the war, Canadian soldiers gained social autonomy from Britain as Canada’s expeditionary force maintained independent from British units. For the first time, Canadian troops were chosen to lead an assault in the Battle of Vimy Ridge. They had captured more land, guns, and prisoners than any other British troop. Following this triumph, a Canadian, Arthur Currie, was selected to command Canada’s troops in the Battle of Passchendaele.

On April 9, 1917, Canada sent out 100 000 fine men to serve and protect their country. To this day, the battle of Vimy Ridge is still known as the day Canada became a nation. Despite the cataclysm of the battle and the thousands of lost souls, Vimy Ridge is considered to be defining moments in Canadian History. The Germans were in complete control of Vimy Ridge for over two years prior to the Canadian onset. This enabled the Germans to strengthen their position, making them seem unvanquishable. The German forces were appeared to be impregnable. Nor the British armada or the French were able to vanquish the Germans. The French battled for over two years and suffered over one hundred and fifty thousand casualties. Despite the twenty divisions and three massive

The Battle of Vimy Ridge was one of the greatest military battles ever fought. This battle contributed to Canada’s coming of age as a nation. The taking of Vimy Ridge claimed more than 200,000 lives during the first World War and will forever remain in the history as one of the worlds great military triumphs. The Canadian Military used extensive planning, new innovative weaponry and relied on the tremendous courage and sacrifice of its soldiers in order to claim victory.

The first major event that impacted Canada’s legacy, as a whole, was the sacrificial battle of Vimy Ridge. Vimy Ridge was proven to be essential to the foundation of Canada as it signified the birth of a new nation and it was considered to be the greatest battle fought, in World War One. Firstly, the Battle of Vimy Ridge established Canada’s emergence as a newly born nation from under the shadow of Britain and gave a verification of Canada’s prominence on the international level. For instance, after successfully regaining the ridge, it displayed to the British superpower, that Canada are worthy of independence, that must be granted upon as a reward for a significant victory (Fonseca). As a result, the Battle of Vimy Ridge, marked the end of British soldiers commanding Canadian troops, as Canada showed tremendous resilience internationally, and also proved that we are independently, capable of leading a well-organized attack against other countries (Fonseca). This milestone was a huge accomplishment for Canadians, as eventually this was the catalyst for total autonomy of Britain (“History Now”). Secondly, the Battle of Vimy Ridge gave Canada justified independence on the international stage. As a result of winning the complicated battle, Canada was deservedly permitted to their own independent seat and signature at the peace talks after the war. This then allowed Canada, to participate in voicing their thoughts, and plans as a newly independent country. This was seen to be,

Vimy Ridge had been a very prominent stronghold, of the triple alliance, being Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Italy. This had been a landmark that had been constituted by the German fortifications and their allies. Vim Ridge had been a central hub and military base for soldiers coming form different regions, seemingly it had been difficult for the base to be captured, subsequently not being captured until April 12, 1917 by the Canadian regiment with British and French allied help. Through countless efforts by the British and French in 1915 and 1916 to capture the stronghold, they had not emerged as victorious, evidently causing many war casualties in both of those attempts. The most precedented reason for the inability to upheave the strong

Canada could have left Britain alone to fight their own war, but Canada showed support and helped them unconditionally. Also the Canadian soldiers went through so much pain and agony in the battle and prison camps. Lastly Canada provided a great deal of hope and support to the once hopeless people in Hong Kong. All these points proves the strength of this red and white nation, and make them a memorable piece of our world history. We should honor and carry on the legacy that the deceased Canadian soldiers left in the trenches and war camps, so that their death was not in

In my opinion, Vimy Ridge is a defining moment in Canadian history because it gave our whole country a sense of nationalism for one of the first times ever. This part of our history was all about World

Some of Canada’s greatest challenges and major contributions on land during the Second World War were centered in D-Day, Hong Kong, and the Italian

The battle of Vimy Ridge strengthened Canada’s relationship with Britain and helped Canada become autonomous. Canada participated in WWI because they were legally forced to the moment Britain declared a war. In 1910, Sir Wilfrid Laurier said that “when Britain is at war, Canada is at war. There is no distinction.”, and most Canadians agreed with this in 1914, when Canada was a self governing dominion of the British without control of their foreign affairs, but many debated about the war efforts of Canada and its relationship with Britain (War Museum). Many people volunteered to go to war, when 25,000 men were summoned at a camp near Quebec, 33,000 men showed up, which shows how most Canadians were actively willing to help Britain (Canadian

Many countries have tried but failed to capture this area. Both French and British armies tired but failed the Germans were too strong. This area was known as Vimy Ridge, which has many high hills and was located in France. The Germans had captured this area since September 1914, the Germans started to build artillery proof bunkers and trenches. Germanys had the advantage in every battle; Germanys had their bases on top of the long hills. Which lead them to look down on their enemies, which was easier for Germanys to kill their target. After countries failing to capture Vimy Ridge, Canada decided they were going to attempt to fight for Vimy Ridge. For the first time Britain asked for generals to lead Canada to victory for the battle of Vimy Ridge. Sir Julian Byng and Major Arthur Currie were asked to lead the Canadian Military to win the battle of Vimy Ridge. After months of practicing a strategy Canada was ready. April 1917, Canada went to battle with Germany for Vimy Ridge. This became one of the most devastating battles ¬in Canadian history. Canadians should remember that Vimy Ridge was not their triumph alone. British artillery and the elite 51st Highland Division helped make victory possible (Desmond Morton, Significance of Vimy Ridge). Vimy Ridge is considered a defining moment in Canadian history because, it was Canada’s first time using a general to plan tactics and strategy’s, Canada was the only country that succeeded on capturing Vimy Ridge, lastly all Canadian

The Battle of Vimy Ridge began at 5:30 am on April 9, 1917. The German troops had the advantage as they were on top of the ridge, and could see any advancing enemies. But the Canadian troops were led by Arthur Currie who had a strategy called the “creeping barrage”. This strategy required the soldiers to shoot their machine guns until a curtain of smoke appeared. This curtain of smoke covered the advancing troops and the Canadian soldiers were able to take over Vimy Ridge from the Germans in just a few hours. The Canadian soldiers were obedient and carried out their orders so well that it was recognized internationally, and the soldiers became known as tough soldiers and the Canadian troops as an independent military. Four Canadians were awarded

In January of 1917, the 50th battalion headed north to Artios, France, the location of Vimy Ridge. Vimy ridge was a very important battle for the allies as holding the location would give them a great vantage point that overlooked the vast network of trenches on either side and No Man’s Land. It was even more important to the CEF and Canada, as it was the first time they received worldwide recognition, they were no longer seen as an afterthought of Britain. It was crucial that the allies win this battle. The next months were spent preparing and going over strategy. During this time, Colonel E.G. Mason was transferred to another battalion and replaced Lieutenant-Colonel Page. Under new command the 50th battalion was ready to on the offensive,