Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch
Thought I would post this here because this battle helped establish Canada as a nation instead of a colony. the Battle of Vimy Ridge began this morning at 5:30 AM and lasted for 3 terrifying and bruising days.
the French had attacked three times and had failed each time, the German Positions were considered to be un breakable.
This was the first time that the Canadian's fought as one consolidated unit, the four Divisions which became the Canadian Expeditionary Force did what was considered impossible at the time. 97,000 Canadian's made up the expeditionary force re-enforced by British Infantry, Labour and artillary formations.
Beyond the fact that this was the first battle fought purly with the Canadian Army in the Fore Font, it was considered to be one of the most innovated battleplans of its time.
With a combination of creeping artillary (never done before), trench raiding and underground operations, the Canadians forced their way to victory.
Also important to note, there was a massive air battle over Vimy as the Canadian's were supported by the British Flying Corps and the Red Baron made an appearance over the battlefield
4 Canadian's received the Victory Cross, the highest Military decoration at the time.
Canada suffered grievous losses over those three days as about 3,000 Canucks were killed and 7,000 were wounded.
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I am not sure if it's fair to say that they failed all 3 times. They did take the ridge once, but couldn't hold it because no reinforcements could make it in time. By the time the Canadians and British arrived, the German numbers had been brought down to some 35,000 (albeit, battle hardened and with the superior positional advantage).