Battle of Vimy Ridge

E44505

The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a pivotal First World War offensive in April 1917 in which Canadian forces captured a heavily fortified German-held ridge in France, becoming a symbol of Canadian national achievement and sacrifice.

Aliases (2)

Statements (46)
Predicate Object
instanceOf First World War battle
battle
aftermath improved Allied tactical reputation of Canadian Corps
alliedCommanderInChief Douglas Haig
artillerySupport over 900 guns and mortars
associatedWith Canadian national identity
birth of Canadian nationhood narrative
belligerent Canada
France
German Empire
United Kingdom
casualties heavy German casualties
high Canadian casualties
combatant Canadian Corps
German Sixth Army
commander Arthur Currie
Julian Byng
Karl von Fasbender NERFINISHED
Ludwig von Falkenhausen
commemoratedOn Vimy Ridge Day
conflict World War I
country France
date April 1917
defensiveWorks German trenches and concrete machine-gun nests
endDate 1917-04-12
front Arras Offensive
location Vimy Ridge
memorial Canadian National Vimy Memorial
memorialLocation Vimy, France
notableFeature first time all four divisions of the Canadian Corps fought together
outcome capture of most of Vimy Ridge by Canadian forces
partOf Battle of Arras (1917)
Western Front
preparation extensive artillery registration and counter-battery work
rememberedFor careful planning and innovation in infantry tactics
major Canadian military achievement in WWI
result Allied victory
significance symbol of Canadian national achievement
symbol of Canadian sacrifice
startDate 1917-04-09
strategicObjective capture Vimy Ridge from German forces
tacticsUsed creeping barrage
detailed rehearsals and use of maps by infantry
extensive tunnelling and mining
terrain heavily fortified ridge
VimyRidgeDayDate April 9


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