Vimy Ridge

The battle for Vimy Ridge was a defining moment for Canada as a nation. On Easter Monday the 9th of April the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Canadian divisions consolidated in tunnels and sewers 150 meters from the German lines. At 0500 hours 30,000 troops would storm Vimy Ridge covered by 3000 British artillery. By April 12th the ridge was taken at the cost of nearly 10,000 casualties and 3,598 dead. In 6 days the Canadians advanced 5 kilometers and accomplished what the French and British could not. These were British-born Canadians from across the country that volunteered for the task: "We went up the ridge as Albertans and Nova Scotians. We came down as Canadians". The victory at Vimy pulled Canada out of Britain's shadow and on the world stage. This piece is directly inspired by the painting "Ghosts of Vimy Ridge" by William Longstaff.