Vimy - Lest we forget.

[Mike Blais]

This is good enough for a double post. Thank to RT Walsh for bringing this to my attention.

Lest we Forget.

At exactly 0530 hrs on Easter Monday, 9 April 1917, there was a deafening roar as 983 guns and mortars supporting the Canadian attack opened up in unison.  The attack had begun.

15,000 Canadian troops stepped off as the first wave of the corps.  These soldiers carried only their fighting equipment.  As the 648  members of the Regiment advanced there was a slight mist that later turned to snow and rain.  All that could be seen was death and destruction.  "The Hun trenches and the ground," revealed one participant, "is in a terrible condition; the trenches practically cease to exist".

The two lead companies (C and D) crossed the 640 metres to their objective and captured it almost exactly in accordance with the planned timings.  By 0630 hrs the Regiment had captured its initial objective, made contact with flanking units and had done so with virtually no casualties.

As the artillery barrage pounded the next set of objectives, A and B Companies used the planned pause to pass through the consolidating RCR sub-units.  Once in place they waited until 0645 hrs when they pressed on in the wake of the barrage that once again resumed its forward advance.  However their progress was now hotly contested.  German machine guns and snipers in La Folie Wood skilfully held up the advance and caused heavy casualties.  The assaulting waves soon lost their coherence and form.  Nonetheless, the Royal Canadians drove on where they could and by 0900 hrs had reached the final objective and begun consolidating.  The Germans quickly regrouped and launched a series of counterattacks, which were all successfully repulsed.

The five-day endeavour cost the Canadian Corps 10,602 casualties.  The Regiment's share was 57 killed, 155 wounded and 65 missing--a casualty rate of approximately 43 percent..

[ranrad]

Yes, Lest We Forget.. the cas rate of our Regiment says it all... but it was a well planned , and executed  attack.. that is why it worked , i am sure.. but still , the loss was high..Canadians need always be reminded .. ranrad

[Abe Doney]

Mike:

You should send a copy down to the assholes at Fox news who think we can't punch our way out of a wet paper bag on a rainy day.

[Michael OLeary]

A few notes from my visit to Vimy in 2000:

The Vimy Memorial

[ranrad]

Thanks very much for your writeup. I agree , every Cdn who travels to Europe, really, really , should set aside a day to visit Vimy..you do capture the aura of the area, as it is an aura...and yes the conditioning of our army was phenominal... i did some writng and education of folks in a rural area of Sask, delving into a local hero, William Johnstone Milne, a farm had of the time.. people could not believe that he had walked into Moose Jaw, about 18 miles cross country ,. two days in a row , just to enlist.. like it was nothing.. just something one did.. he died on Vimy Ridge on 09 April 1917... he was awarded the Victoria Cross for his action that day.. posthumously , of course...i do hope that no one ever forgets...ranrad

[tony giacomelli]

[Mike Blais]

Outstanding picture, Tony.

Vimy Ridge anniversary marked
By KATHLEEN HARRIS. SUN MEDIA

Vimy Ridge memorial in Vimy, France.

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Stephen Harper paid tribute today to the Canadian soldiers who overcame “immense odds” to capture Vimy Ridge 92 years ago.

“The courageous soldiers of the Canadian Corps took part in a decisive battle that would help define both the course of the First World War and the course of Canadian history,” Harper said in a written statement. “This monumental success came at an immense cost to Canada, with nearly 3,600 Canadians losing their lives. Thanks to the sacrifice and ultimate success of our soldiers, Canada not only succeeded on the battlefield but came of age as a proud, united and independent country among its allies and, ultimately, among the nations of the world.”

The battle at Vimy Ridge on April 9, 1917 marked the first time all four divisions of the Canadian Corps fought along side. The historic victory is considered a turning point in the First World War and the “birth of a nation” for Canada.

At the towering Vimy memorial in France, a sunset service to honour the fallen was attended by Canadian and French officials, and in Ottawa, a wreath was placed at the National War Memorial.

Harper used the anniversary to urge Canadians to remember the sacrifice of battles past and present every day — not just on Nov. 11.

“We must always honour the Heroes of Vimy Ridge and the other conflicts of the Great War. We must always honour the Canadian service men and women who fought so bravely in the Second World War and in Korea or those who have served and continue to serve as peacekeepers in some of the most dangerous regions of the world,” he said. “Today, with Canadians once again serving bravely and sacrificing so much as part of the NATO mission in Afghanistan, we must renew our pledge to never take these sacrifices for granted.”

[Mike Blais]

Thanks Ron!

[Michael OLeary]

For a view of the broader picture:

The Vimy Ridge War Diaries

The Canadian Expeditionary Force Study Group (CEFSG) undertook a project to commemorate the valiant action of all of the men and women who participated in the battle that made Canada a Nation.  Leading up to April 9, 1917 thousands of soldiers, doctors, engineers, nurses, clerks, cooks, labourers and others participated in the planning for and execution of this incredible feat.

To commemorate their action, our group assembled the individual pages of the war diaries for the many units that made up the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) at that time.  The war diaries you will read at each link are the real thing, actual diaries kept by each unit that tell their tale in chilling detail.  This is their story from April 9th to April 14th.  Although we were not able to find every war diary for each unit, you will find that this list is nearly complete.  Also included are a few British War Diaries for units attached to the CEF at that time, or operating in support of the CEF.

[ranrad]

Thanks Mike , and Michael.. The Diaries really gives a perspective of the enormity oftha battle, and the preparation for it..ranrad

[Mike Blais]

Yes, very good reads.

[Mike Blais]

Some pictures n from yesteryear. Thanks to Ron for sending these to me.











Winni!



Long after the war to end all wars ended.

King George








Recently...



Mine detectors are still required.

[ranrad]

Youre welcome Mike, most of those pics are on Vimy Ridge during /after the battle, and of course came from different archives i just happened upon over the years.. the bear is the origibnal Winnie, that the book was written about.. i have more pics of her at various stages of her life.. she was sent overseas in the CO's cedar chest , on his orders..this of course being the Veterinary Corps, that one out of Winnipeg, so if anyone out there wants pics of her i am more than happy to send more,on ere or to their own email...ranrad