The battle of vimy ridge, fought from april 9, 1917, to april 12, 1917. Vimy ridge and the great war over the history of the first world war grodzinski, major j. It stands as a tribute to all who served their country in battle and risked or gave their lives in that fouryear struggle. Soldiers letters from battle of vimy ridge front lines found in north york basement. Historian tim cook in his book, at the sharp end, notes that the.
A childrens book by yasmin johnthorpe presents the battle of vimy ridge in world war i to a young audience. The books war letters 19141918 is a series of ebooks that together tell a story of the first world war ww1 through the words and letters of nine very different men who died in the conflict. The battle of vimy ridge fast facts canadian national. The canadian great war project is intended to promote interest in canadas participation in world war 1, commonly referred to as the great war, to research the canadians who participated in the great war 19141919 or other nationalities who served in the cef. In my previous post i described the lead up to and reasons behind the canadian victory at vimy ridge. Anderson was part of the attack at vimy ridge and died between april 8th and april 10th, 1917. Vimy ridge and the great war over the history of the first world war. The battle took place from 9 to 12 april 1917 at the beginning of the battle of arras, the first attack of the nivelle offensive, which. The battle of vimy ridge was part of the battle of arras, in the nordpasdecalais region of france, during the first world war.
The canadian national vimy memorial site has considerable sociocultural significance for canada. Letters to vimy bridges the gap of a century between the years of the first world war and today. It serves as a teaching tool and learning mechanism for readers of the book. Anderson was part of the attack at vimy ridge and died between april 8th and april. Sheffield is working on a biography of douglas haig and a book on the experience of the british soldier in the second world war. The battle of vimy ridge fast facts canadian national vimy. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc.
At vimy ridge is a natural followup to toronto editor and author hugh brewsters successful on juno beach. The content is primarily database driven to facilitate searches for information. Vimy ridge trenches exploring the vimy ridge battlefield. The battle took place on the western front, in northern france. Why the battle of vimy ridge was a defining moment for. But on a chill easter morning in 1917, the men of the canadian corps struggled up the shelltorn ground of vimy ridge.
The battle of vimy ridge was not the biggest victory of the first world war, but it marked a seminal moment in canadian history, experts agree. The storming of vimy ridge on easter monday, 1917, is generally accepted as a defining moment in the development of canadian national identity, and this book does a fine job of placing it in context for younger readers. Read consecutively, the books tell a story of the war from its beginning to its end. Canada and the battle of vimy ridge is not as much about the battle or even the victory as it is about the emergence of canada from the imperial shadow to be a distinct nation, a people that had done great things, just as underhill predicted. They broke the fearsome german hindenburg line at vimy ridge in. It was fought without any help from the british or the french and was strategically led in its entirety by canadian soldiers under the command of sir arthur currie. Apr 07, 2017 soldiers letters from battle of vimy ridge front lines found in north york basement. All letters in the collection have been previously published in the newspaper and were also later collected by local historian percy climo in a work entitled let us remember. Vimy ridge, where all four divisions of the canadian corps first banded together in battle, is hailed as this countrys greatest military triumph a. Canada and the great war an irishmans diary on the battle.
Vimy ridge was one of the most important geographic features on the entire western front in world war i 19141918. The canadian letters and images project is an online archive of the canadian war experience, from any war, as told through the letters and images of canadians themselves. The author is the grandnephew of john ball and has done a touching job in weaving together the letters and exceptionally rare documents, with the the story the devastating effect the death had on this small town farming family. In this post well explore the vimy ridge trenches and tunnels in an effort to better understand the horrors the men serving on the western front endured, even without. Soldiers letters from battle of vimy ridge front lines. French is pleased that younger members of the family began to develop an interest in their greatgreatuncle oscar as the author worked on this project. Tim cook many historians and writers consider the canadian victory at vimy a defining moment for canada, when the country emerged from under the shadow of britain and felt capable of greatness. After the war, the highest point of the ridge was chosen as the site of the great memorial to all canadians who served their. War letters 19141918 is a series of ebooks that together tell a story of the first world war ww1 through the words and letters of nine very different men who died in the conflict. Now, with careful planning, skill and bravery, they would earn the admiration of the world. Only two years before, they had been regarded as a band of unruly colonials. The collection consists of thirteen letters and his diary entries during the war. Collections such as those from the cobourg world provide a fascinating look at the relationship of community and war as played out in the pages of the local newspaper. French is pleased that younger members of the family began to develop an interest in their greatgreatuncle oscar as the author worked on.
Canada and the great war an irishmans diary on the battle of vimy ridge. A soldiers firsthand account kindle edition by clifford wells, david long. The ridge was located near the french town of arras. In 1922, use of the land, for the battlefield park which contains the canadian national vimy memorial was.
It was now the canadians turn to brave a maelstrom of razoredged barbed wire, kneedeep mud, and withering machinegun fire. Vimy ridge was proven to be essential to the foundation of canada as it signified the birth of a new nation and it was considered to be the greatest battle fought, in world war one. Private ball was died of wounds received at vimy ridge. In this case, the correspondent is not the soldiers mother but a nephew who pte. A century later author orland french replies to oscars real letters home to his mother and tells him, in his own sardonic style, how the world turned out after the horrific war to end all wars. Why the battle of vimy ridge was a defining moment for canada. Jul 05, 2007 it was now the canadians turn to brave a maelstrom of razoredged barbed wire, kneedeep mud, and withering machinegun fire. Vimy continued to display the wars scars, with thousands of grasscovered shell.
The idea that canadas national identity and nationhood were born out of the battle of vimy ridge is an opinion that is widely repeated in military and general histories of canada. Vimy in letters francis bathe, which explores a letter written by. The canadian national vimy memorial honours all canadians who died in the war. The collection consists of two letters from anderson, two letters of condolence following his death, and several photographs. Apr 17, 2017 the canadian national vimy memorial honours all canadians who died in the war. The memorial on vimy ridge does more than mark the site of the great canadian victory of the first world war. The major battles of spring and autumn 1915 is described as is the twelve month period from late autumn 1915 when british forces occupied the lines on the western ridge. The envelope of my grandfathers last letter to my uncle, private ronald mackinnon of the princess patricias canadian light infantry, dated april 5, 1917, is marked return to sender.
Letters from soldiers who fought at the battle of vimy ridge can provide us with a. The vimy memorial overlooks the douai plain from the highest point of vimy ridge. Vimy memorial in vimy, nordpasdecalais find a grave cemetery. The canadian letters and images project is an online archive of the. The event that recast the battle of vimy ridge the star. Life on the home front books pictouantigonish library. Apr 03, 2017 the battle of vimy ridge was not the biggest victory of the first world war, but it marked a seminal moment in canadian history, experts agree. The first world war by those who were there kindle locations 707716. Loreena mckennitt dantes prayer live at vimy ridge. It was the first battle that the majority of the force was consisted of the canadians attacked together, led by a canadian general, and achieved a magnificent victory. In early 1917 it was considered practically impregnable, but on 9 april the canadian army corps, under the command of the british lieutenant general sir julian byng, assaulted it as part of the arras offensive. Battle of vimy ridge world war 1 a defining moment for canada in world war 1 was the battle of vimy ridge, which took place on april 9, 1917.
At the outset of the first world war the canadian expeditionary force was by and large formed out of newly created units in addition to the regular forces and reserve units permanent forces and the militia in 1914 terminology. A while ago i wrote a book, and then a play, in which i responded to letters written by my uncle oscar french who had died at vimy ridge in the first world war. As canadians mark the 100th anniversary of the battle of vimy ridge on april 9, diaries kept by a young soldier from toronto reveal the horror of war and preparations for a battle many see as a. Located north of arras in france, the vimy memorial is canadas largest overseas national memorial. Ever since then, letters and postcards from uncle oscar keep popping up in the family files. Oct 09, 2001 vimy pierre berton this book is a classic. Alison and i walked the battlefield proper and visited the canadian national vimy monument, but thats only half the story. Hugh brewster captures the remarkable heroism, sacrifice, and v. Mar 31, 2017 the directorate of history and heritage at the department of national defence dnd and the canadian armed forces caf have released a free e book edition of canada and the battle of vimy ridge, 912 april 1917, a 149page resource about the historic battle and those who fought in it.
And the book is a great addition of literature which combine personal reflection and historical facts which is being crafted these days for us discerning. It sits on the highest point of vimy ridge, was designed by canadian walter seymour allward, and it. Canadian great war project canadians in the first world war. Loreena mckennitt dantes prayer live at vimy ridge 100th. Each and every canadian will surely remember what happened on that horrible battlefield. The four divisions of the canadian corps, fighting. She kept an autograph book from her time there, which includes inscriptions from four. Back on the surface we entered the forward line of the vimy ridge trenches. The directorate of history and heritage at the department of national defence dnd and the canadian armed forces caf have released a free e book edition of canada and the battle of vimy ridge, 912 april 1917, a 149page resource about the historic battle and those who fought in it. On the opening day of the battle of arras, 9 april 1917, the four divisions of. The first world war by those who were there kindle locations 702. It is canadas most celebrated military victory an often mythologized symbol of the birth of canadian national pride and awareness.
On the opening day of the battle of arras, 9 april 1917, the four divisions of the canadian corps, fighting side by side for the first time, scored a huge tactical victory in the capture of the 60 metre high vimy ridge. The memorial is well signposted from this road to the left, just before you enter the village of vimy from the south. Letters to vimy by orland french the friesenpress bookstore. In early 1917 it was considered practically impregnable, but on 9 april the canadian army corps, under the command of the british lieutenant general sir julian byng, assaulted it. A canadian reassessment fills this gap in our knowledge by providing new details, new. Four days and 10,000 casualties later, the canadians stun the world. Vimy ridge were a 475 meter tall fortification, which had an unobstructed view for several kilometers vimy ridge radessays. The book is a quick and worthwhile read, if only for the photographs and the aforementioned map. This was the first battle that canadians planned and executed. Canada and the great war an irishmans diary on the. It commemorates more than 11,000 men of the canadian expeditionary force killed during the first world war in france and who have no known grave. Orland french provides a unique twist on the great war story of a soldier writing home from the trenches.
Orland french has created a noble and endearing book with letters to vimy. Letters to vimy by orland french goodreads share book. The battle of vimy ridge was one of the major, and most critical, battles of world war i. Each book is based on the letters of one individual. Because his army pay book was also lost, he received no money for. Vimy memorial in vimy, nordpasdecalais find a grave.
It sits on the highest point of vimy ridge, was designed by canadian walter seymour allward, and it took 11 years to. Vimy ridge had defied previous attacks by the allies, but in early 1917 its capture formed part of a larger battle, supporting a british attack at arras, which itself assisted a major french. He was one of 3,598 canadians killed in the epic battle that marked canadas. Apr 02, 2017 the event that recast the battle of vimy ridge.
Fred silvester was killed during a german assault at vimy ridge in may 1916. Canada and the battle of vimy ridge, 912 april 1917. The vimy memorial is managed by veterans affairs canada. An historical fiction in which the author writes letters from today to his uncle who died at vimy ridge in 1917. Begun in august 2000, the project is located in the department of history at vancouver island university. His letters to his uncle oscar have made history more personable and more understanding for many of us to comprehend. Free ebook edition of canada and the battle of vimy ridge. The canadians were brave fighters in the cause of world. Feb 25, 2017 orland french has created a noble and endearing book with letters to vimy.
His most recent book, coedited with john bourne, is douglas haig. The vimy memorial overlooks the douai plain from the highest point of vimy ridge, about eight kilometers northeast of arras on the n17 towards lens. Im going to put a note on the back of our book to explain to readers what our correspondence inside is all about. Lest we forget november 9, 2015 joel levy history, the city in honour of this years remembrance day, i thought i would make a list of some of the great nonfiction books on canadians in war. He served in france and was killed at vimy ridge april 9, 1917. Download pdf vimy ridge and arras free online new books. Letters an exit strategy from coronavirus lockdown. The english and french had tried to take it and failed. Soldiers letters from battle of vimy ridge front lines found. The main combatants were the four divisions of the canadian corps in the first army, against three divisions of the german 6th army. April 16, 2016 elizabeth hibbett webb leave a comment. The collection currently consists of miscellaneous pages from his paybook. Jul 20, 2006 the battle of vimy ridge was fought during the first world war from 9 to 12 april 1917.
To take a virtual tour of the memorial, please click here to view a digital representation of what vimy ridge was like in april 1917, please click here to research the registry of information about the graves and memorials of more than 118,000 canadians and newfoundlanders who served valiantly and gave their. Vimy ridge is one of the most famous battles of world war i and a canadian general, arthur currie, was the key of this victory. The battle took place from 9 to 12 april 1917 at the beginning of the battle of arras, the first attack of the nivelle offensive, which was intended to attract german reserves from the french, before their attempt at a decisive offensive. It gives the reader a clear picture of what happened in 1917. Free ebook edition of canada and the battle of vimy. Vimy ridge documents canadas first world war experience. The battle of vimy ridge, fought from april 9, 1917, to april 12, 1917, saw four canadian divisions attacking together for the first time and capturing the ridge from german forces, succeeding where a french and british offensive had previously failed. His letters describe action at vimy ridge and the advance toward the. During the battle of vimy ridge, from april 9 to 12, 1917, the canadian corps fought to take control of high ground held by the germans. Jan 04, 2011 vimy ridge is one of the most famous battles of world war i and a canadian general, arthur currie, was the key of this victory.