Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobblehead
Read Vimy by Pierre Berton. It does a really good job of detailing everything from the politics required for the formation of the Canadian Army right through the battle from a number of different perspectives.
It really is a compelling read. |
While Vimy is a must read, I highly suggest getting Tim Cook's books on Canada's involvment in World War I. At The Sharp End, Shock Troops, and The Madman and The Butcher.
So many innovations put into action at Vimy. Truly special place to visit. I went there this summer and walked all about the ridge in a tremendous rainfall, seemed fitting.
Also went to so many Canadian specific sites in Belgium. So many truly haunting awesome places to experience. Even a tiny memorial site like that for the PPCLI outside a farmhouse near Ypres, is so special when you know what they did on that spot so long ago.
So proud of our soldiers, I think often on the sacrifice.
A further suggestion, as one who had relatives also on the German side, is to visit the German cemetaries for quite a different experience. Very dark, sad places. In Langemark where thousands of German university students are buried in mass graves, no standing stones, no white stones; I was particularly moved.