The Battle of Vimy Ridge

It was now the Canadians' turn to brave a maelstrom of razor-edged barbed wire, knee-deep mud, and withering machine-gun fire. Four days and 10,000 casualties later, the Canadians stun the world by seizing the ridge in one of the war's most successful and brilliantly planned offensives.

With the Canadians now established as fighters of renown, the Canadian Corps under Currie found itself used increasingly as the shock troops of the allied forces, with the distinct irony of having the most professional army in the world so terrorized by the most "civilian."

This video traces the Corp's adventures through the murderous Battle of the Somme, eventuating in the Canadian's signal achievement seizing the seemingly impregnable Vimy Ridge. The logistics of this battle which not only won renown for Canada, but also accomplished a fundamentally important strategic breakthrough of the German line are drawn in detail.

Emphasized in the course of the story are some of the practices that gave Currie his reputation as a great general his meticulous preparation and rehearsal of every event; his concern for his men preferring to sacrifice equipment rather than soldiers; and his development of tactics ultimately imitated by the rest of the allied forces: the flexible platoon system, the "creeping barrage."

We are made to realize as well that the war effort was represented by more than those going "over the top." Sympathetic glimpses are provided as well of the different elements of the combined Canadian effort: the flyers, the observers, the medical staff, the engineers and tunnel diggers; the work battalions. Among the most dramatic moments recounted is one of a battle saved by the heroism of one of those "non-combat units."

This video is available for purchase at www.titlehousedistribution.com or www.amazon.com.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• war
• canada
• vimy
• ridge
• world
• one

[jan1035]

What a stupid discussion about who's the bravest. In this war it's impossible to imagine how cruel and inhumane it was. Everyone who stood his ground was a hero. This war was beyond believe of the internetheroes sitting behind their laptop arguing about "who's the bravest"

Don't make a fool of yourselve. Show some respect for all who gave their life

[Fridomfry]

Funny that you confuse "French", "socialist" and "pussies". You must have a very confused mind but it's just normal that you know little of WW1, as your country just watched idle.

Perhaps some day, when you learn history, you'll hear of the battle of the Marne, of Verdun and of 100 other battles which would have made you shit in your pants.

[Hippophilee]

In 1914 the French army's power was about 2/3 of the German army's, if we count firepower, number of divisions, organization and training of the reserve units. Moreover, Germany had a great plan to attack France and was ready for it, while none of the Allies expected a war. The British force was brave, but still very small, and didn't weigh much in the balance. I think that, if the Germans had made no mistake, they would have won by October 1914. Joffre just made less mistakes than Moltke...

[Hippophilee]

@coolboykid11, that's right. Germany had attacked France in 1914, with a plan to finish it off in 6 weeks. The French defended themselves and stopped the invasion at the Marne, then in other battles such as Verdun. It was only when they deployed thousands of tanks that they won the war, along with their allies (minus Russia, which had sadly thrown in the towel).

Remember that, in 1914, Germany was the world's military superpower. No other country could match the German army.

[Litterboxer529]

@acerb45666555 Very interesting! Because I'm writing a book about my great-graps from the stories my grandpa told me along with some additional research.

From what my grandpa told me, his dad was wounded once and that was shrapnel to the thigh. He was 18 when he joined in early 1915, and he went over to England later in the year. His first engagement was at the Somme.

Glad to hear he made it out okay!

[acerb45666555]

@Litterboxer529 ........his family name i want to keep private. but he was born in New Brunswick in the town of Grand Falls. he snuk in army at age 17, they caught him and he had to wait till 1917-18 to get in the war. he was wounded 3 times. all minor injuries from bullet scrapes. and one damaged ankle from a mortar explosion. im suprised he lived at all!

[Litterboxer529]

@acerb45666555 Odd. What was his name?

[acerb45666555]

@Litterboxer529 ..my grandpa was in the same unit.

[CanadianForcesArmor]

havent scene foortage this good in a while

[butkicker75]

@Trashcansam123 thanks buddy eh

[Trashcansam123]

I salute you Canys (My new term for Canadians). You guys were crazyass muthafackas who did that shit. I admire your tenacity skill and courage and guess what?!?!

I'm an american saying this.

[butkicker75]

my great grandpa died here.