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The Battle Of Vimmhy Ridge

One of the most significant battles in the history of Canada was the battle of Vimy Ridge. This influence in ending World War I would change the way Canadians feel about themselves and others politically, nationally, and emotionally. Vimy Ridge is a piece of land that ran from northwest to southwest between Lens and Arras France. At its highest point the land was only 475 feet above sea level and four miles long (McKee 132). The land had been controlled by the Germans since 1914, withstanding three French attacks in 1914 and 1915. In these three attacks more than 200,000 men had fallen tiring to get up to the crest of the ridge. Behind the ridge the Germans could move safely and watch each allied move (McKee 133).
Nearly one year before the battle in May 1916 General Haig of the British forces made the decision to veto General Wilson’s motion to keep attacking the Germans. General Wilson had suffered many losses the days prior and was looking for revenge. Haig decided to halt this attack because Arras would be threatened if the Allies were to loose. The Canadians were led under Sir Julian Byng, who was British. Along side of Byng was General Currie, a Canadian solider. This was a big promotion because the British did not consider the Canadian soldiers “Fit enough to command anything larger than an infantry brigade.”(McKee 25).
A new tactic, which was hugely successful, was the ‘Creeping Barrage.’ The creeping barrage was designed to place a curtain of artillery fire just ahead of advancing men, a barrage that would constantly creep forward directly ahead of attacking troops. Initially, in the spring of 1916, for the Allies the situation could best be described as grim. The French armies were suffering mutinies following their near annihilation in the slaughter at Verdun. Only when the Canadian General Arthur Currie and the French General Nivelle devised this brilliant new strategy was there any hope of victory. Nivelle had come up a new...