The Battle of Vimy Ridge

About the Battle of Vimy Ridge

The Battle of Vimy Ridge began at dawn on Easter Monday, April 9, 1917, when all four divisions of the Canadian Corps attacked Vimy Ridge above the Douai Plain in France. The Commander of the Canadian Corps was Lieutenant-General Sir Julian Byng, who later became Governor General of Canada. The Commander of the First Division was Major-General Arthur Currie.

The Battle of Vimy Ridge was part of the Allies' effort to push the Germans out of France. Vimy Ridge was key to the German defence system, and previous attacks by the French and British had failed.

Pictures of the Battle of Vimy Ridge

Pictures of the Battle of Vimy Ridge

War

World War I

Dates of the Battle of Vimy Ridge

April 9-12, 1917

Vimy Ridge Battle Summary

• The Battle of Vimy Ridge was the biggest single Allied advance on the Western front up to that point in World War I.

• Months of preparation went into the battle, included building tunnels, trenches, tramways and roads. Extensive reconnaissance used observation balloons for the first time, and the German defences were subjected to a three-week barrage of artillery in advance.

• All four divisions of the Canadian Corps went into battle.

• The attack began at dawn and Canadians took the crest of Vimy Ridge in the afternoon of April 9.

• On April 12, they took Hill 145, the highest feature on the ridge, and also the "Pimple," a large hill on the northern end of Vimy Ridge.

Vimy Ridge Battle Casualties

• 10,602 Canadians wounded
• 3,598 Canadians died

Vimy Ridge Battle Honours

• Major-General Arthur Currie knighted
• Victoria Cross to Private William Milne
• Victoria Cross to Lance-Sergeant Ellis Sifton
• Victoria Cross to Captain Thaine MacDowell
• Victoria Cross to Private John Pattison