2017 Battlefield Tour Page 18

The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a military engagement fought primarily as part of the Battle of Arras. The main combatants were the Canadian Corps, of four Divs, against three Divs of the German Sixth Army. The battle, which took place from 9 to 12 April 1917, was part of the opening phase of the British-led Battle of Arras, a diversionary attack for the French Nivelle Offensive.

The objective of the Canadian Corps was to take control of the German-held high ground along an escarpment at the northernmost end of the Arras Offensive. This would ensure that the southern flank could advance without suffering German enfilade fire. Supported by a creeping barrage, the Canadian Corps captured most of the ridge during the first day of the attack. The village of Thelus fell during the second day of the attack, as did the crest of the ridge, once the Canadian Corps overcame a salient against considerable German resistance. The final objective, a fortified knoll located outside the village of Givenchy-en-Gohelle, fell to the Canadian Corps on 12 April. The German forces then retreated to the Oppy-Mericourt Line.

A combination of air superiority, artillery, mining operations, good planning (new maps from aerial photography were issued down to NCO level) and training ensured the attack ended successfully.

In total, the British made available to the Canadian Corps twenty-four brigade artillery groups consisting of four hundred and eighty 18 pounder field guns, one hundred thirty-eight 4.5 inch howitzers, ninety-six 2 inch mortars, twenty-four 9.45 inch mortars, supported by 245 corps-level siege guns and heavy mortars. This firepower gave a density of one heavy gun for every 20 yds and one field gun for every 10 yds of Canadian Corps frontage, representing a considerable average increase, including three times the heavy guns, over the distribution of artillery at the Battle of the Somme a year earlier.

British tunnelling companies created extensive underground networks and fortifications. Twelve subways, up to ¾ mile long were excavated at a depth of 33 ft and used to connect reserve lines to front lines, permitting soldiers to advance to the front quickly, securely and unseen. Often incorporated into subways were light rail lines, hospitals, command posts, water reservoirs, ammunition stores, mortar and machine gun posts and communication centres.

The British Royal Flying Corps called April 1917 ‘Bloody April’, losing 245 aircraft, 211 aircrew killed or missing and 108 as prisoners of war. Under Baron Von Richthofen's leadership, Jasta 11 scored 89 victories during April, over a third of the British losses.

The Canadians suffered 10,602 casualties, 3598 KIA and 7004 WIA.

Four VC’s were won during the action.