This day April 9th, 2020 marks the 103rd anniversary of Vimy Ridge. Its importance in WW1 was as an observation hill which had been held by the enemy forces until that eventful day. Much effort had been taken to take the ridge by the allied forces, it’s most prominent effect so far was the heavy loss of life and the many casualties, yet here it was. Any discussion of by-passing the hill was quickly dismissed by the allied leaders up to this time. A new strategy, which had been tried in a much smaller theater of action early in the war, was being mulled over by General Haig and other brass of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Canadians had been involved in WW1 since the beginning, mostly in conjunction with British and French combat units.
The trained Canadian military wasn’t much at the outset of the war. In fact, if one really examined the force, what was available needed immediate assistance from the emerging nation. How was this fledgling nation only 47 years old itself with a population of about 8 million going to really muster what would be needed? The first call, before any conscription would be considered, was to ask for volunteers. The response by a strong contingent of those with a British ancestry, along with some of European descent, would make up what would be called ”The Canadian Expeditionary Force”.
Some quick training was done in Canada, however it would take some time for the necessary weaponry to be made available, but sent to England they were and given what was available. Upon landing on the distant shore, some more training was held and then they were sent off to the front lines, although the training provided did not truly represent what they would be heading into…. Trench warfare.
A complete shortage of munitions would also hamper the war effort. While the opposition forces where contributing 40,000 rounds of ammunition per month;the allies might get 10,000 rounds in about every three months. Much would need to be done and the Canadians left at home would answer the call to help. Many came forward knowing that, to save lives of their fight brave, they would need to rise to the call. By the time of the juncture for Vimy it seemed everything would be ready. An experienced rugged battle harden army, as well as the necessary supporting labor in supplying and moving the armaments be it track layers, horses, mules, reconnaissance fliers, whatever, would be needed just to accomplish the job.
This time there would much consultation between those at the top, right on down to those expected to make the ultimate sacrifice, which many had succumbed too. All too many times, a movement forward on any given day, which may have been only a few meters, was lost the next day, or over the course of a few days. The taking of the Ridge was not going to be so easy. The objective was not only to take it, but to move the enemy well back and keep it. To many times advances had not been planned sufficiently to, not only take the objective, but keep the enemy on the run. This was an experienced foe; even if attrition had taken place among their own ranks.
With everything in place as best it could be, the appointed time had come. It would start with reviewing some previous day fly overs, making for some adjustments to position of the major thrust. At the appointed time, concealed cannons fired relentlessly on the ridge. Following the planes, fighting men, spotters, the wire and runners would be deployed. Their job was to allow the shells to keep coming in a creeping barrage, just ahead of the following foot soldiers.
The shelling not only decreased the enemy forces, but it kept their heads down while the expeditionary force marched up the ridge. The mighty weapon of the Germany forces, the machine gun, had limited effect. Barbed wire had been obliterated in the shelling and would now allow places with which to take cover in the movement forward; which was also done in a creeping, unit by unit, strategy. Finally, the ridge was secured but most importantly, besides those being captured, the enemy was receding back. The cost was great as many were killed or wounded in action.
It is said that Canada had become a nation that day. Historically, I believe Canada became a nation in 1867, the Canadian people gained an identity in the interim. Vimy proved that Canadians and Canada did not have to stand in a shadow, but could come out and stand as equals with those of much more national history. The war was not yet over, another 7 months would be necessary before an armistice treaty would end the hostility.
Canadians would return home; there would be those who would not, but had returned to another home. There would be casualties to come home; those who would need support from the many different malice’s of war some known, some to be yet determined. There would be a nation to welcome them back, while yet being built.
Victory? Is there really one to be had? A nation now stood out. Some veterans would yet again return to conflicts which would take place on the land and shores of other nations. Canada would be asked again to commit; this time Canada would make its mark known, and now grateful nations pay homage to those of both conflicts.
Can we really do enough for veterans? How would you declare who they are? Could we not say, that through those times, those years of conflict which included the battle of Vimy Ridge, that Canadians as a nation became veterans? LEST WE FORGET.
Authored: B. Archer