Mainly Germany and Canada fought in the battle of Vimy Ridge. The French and British were only involved from Overall, they lost more than 1,000,000 men combined before they backed down. Germany captured Vimy Ridge in October of 1914, rapidly constructed deep defensive positions, comprising bunkers, caves, passages and artillery- proof trenches; they were heavily protected by concrete machine gun emplacements. In 1915, the French attempted to gain control over the Ridge. They failed horribly, losing more than 150,000 casualties before the British relieved them. Even though British took over for the French, they were pushed back towards a 2km front, before any plans of action could begin. They suffered high casualty rates and soon grew tired; their numbers depleting, leaving the battle up to the Canadian Corps. The Canadian Corps took charge in spring of 1917, constructing miles of tunnels through which troops could pass in for the opening of the attack without coming under shellfire. An Aerial Search used “observation balloons” which ensured accurate reports of German advances.

The epic battle took place in Northern France. The Germans had stationed themselves atop of a grassy hill (Vimy Ridge) close to a town called Arras. The epic battle took place in Northern France. The Germans had stationed themselves atop of a grassy hill (Vimy Ridge) close to a town called Arras. The day was April 9 th, Easter Monday, The forces of each side (Germany and Canada) were ready to attack; unbeknownst to them the day would bring a huge snow storm. The day was April 9 th, Easter Monday, The forces of each side (Germany and Canada) were ready to attack; unbeknownst to them the day would bring a huge snow storm. The leading fronts crossed the chaos of No Man's Land, moving their way through shell-holes and destroyed trenches. The mud on their uniforms made climbing in and out of numerous trenches and craters extremely difficult. That and combined with the snow, it was near impossible for soldiers to move efficiently. The leading fronts crossed the chaos of No Man's Land, moving their way through shell-holes and destroyed trenches. The mud on their uniforms made climbing in and out of numerous trenches and craters extremely difficult. That and combined with the snow, it was near impossible for soldiers to move efficiently.

Shows the order of battle, how various Canadian and a British infantry brigades crossed the "no man's land," and how they made it up to the Ridge, pushing back the German lines. Shows the order of battle, how various Canadian and a British infantry brigades crossed the "no man's land," and how they made it up to the Ridge, pushing back the German lines.

The capture of Vimy wasn’t until April 10th, But the battle, horribly bloody (like all battles), lasted for two years. Several men and officers lost their lives during the many invasions. The capture of Vimy wasn’t until April 10th, But the battle, horribly bloody (like all battles), lasted for two years. Several men and officers lost their lives during the many invasions. December, 1916, all four Canadian Divisions come together, totaling to 100,000 men. December, 1916, all four Canadian Divisions come together, totaling to 100,000 men. March 1 st, The 4th Division begins the largest of all the Canadian attacks against the German, stationing between the Pimple and Hill 145 (Both were German-stationed). 687 Canadians were lost. March 1 st, The 4th Division begins the largest of all the Canadian attacks against the German, stationing between the Pimple and Hill 145 (Both were German-stationed). 687 Canadians were lost. Throughout the battle, 2 out of the four divisions are successful in completing their objectives. The 3 rd division’s plot, however, resulted in many deaths. April 10 th, 1917, the Fourth Division attacks the German positions remaining on the ridge just east of Hill 145 and quickly captures them. Throughout the battle, 2 out of the four divisions are successful in completing their objectives. The 3 rd division’s plot, however, resulted in many deaths. April 10 th, 1917, the Fourth Division attacks the German positions remaining on the ridge just east of Hill 145 and quickly captures them.

The 1st Division's attack west of the Arras-Lens road and capture the main German trenches. They move south of Thelus, then east to capture Farbus. The 1st Division and 2nd Division have completed their objectives. The 1st Division's attack west of the Arras-Lens road and capture the main German trenches. They move south of Thelus, then east to capture Farbus. The 1st Division and 2nd Division have completed their objectives. The 3rd Division attacks on 1.2 kilometers opposite La Folie Wood, to reach the eastern slope of Vimy Ridge. They manage to capture La Folie Farm, push through La Folie Wood and capture positions south of Hill 145. German resistance is stiff for the 3rd Division and, results in many deaths. The 3rd Division attacks on 1.2 kilometers opposite La Folie Wood, to reach the eastern slope of Vimy Ridge. They manage to capture La Folie Farm, push through La Folie Wood and capture positions south of Hill 145. German resistance is stiff for the 3rd Division and, results in many deaths. The 4th Division attacks Bradmarsh Crater to Givenchy. Its objective is Hill 145 and the eastern slopes of the ridge. This is the heavily defended part of the ridge. It’s the steepest destroyed landscape in the area; the centre is annihilated. By late in the day they manage to capture Hill 145. The 4th Division attacks Bradmarsh Crater to Givenchy. Its objective is Hill 145 and the eastern slopes of the ridge. This is the heavily defended part of the ridge. It’s the steepest destroyed landscape in the area; the centre is annihilated. By late in the day they manage to capture Hill 145.

The 4th Division attacks the Pimple (a German stronghold at the northern tip of Vimy Ridge). After a short fight they capture it, and push toward the village of Givenchy-en-Gohelle. The Germans withdraw from Givenchy and pull back onto the Douai Plain. The 4th Division attacks the Pimple (a German stronghold at the northern tip of Vimy Ridge). After a short fight they capture it, and push toward the village of Givenchy-en-Gohelle. The Germans withdraw from Givenchy and pull back onto the Douai Plain. Heavy Canadian losses, came from the strongly-emplaced machine-guns in the German intermediate line. Overcoming this resistance, three of the four divisions captured their part of the Ridge by midday. The 2nd Canadian Divisions were assisted by the British 13th Brigade. The 4th Canadian Division's principal objective was Hill 145, the highest and most important feature of the whole Ridge Heavy Canadian losses, came from the strongly-emplaced machine-guns in the German intermediate line. Overcoming this resistance, three of the four divisions captured their part of the Ridge by midday. The 2nd Canadian Divisions were assisted by the British 13th Brigade. The 4th Canadian Division's principal objective was Hill 145, the highest and most important feature of the whole Ridge

Vimy Ridge was VERY important offensively as it was a key position of the German line in Northern France. Vimy Ridge was VERY important offensively as it was a key position of the German line in Northern France. It was also important that the Canadians gained Vimy Ridge because loss of the ridge would expose enormous territory of German held positions to allied sight and allied guns. It was also important that the Canadians gained Vimy Ridge because loss of the ridge would expose enormous territory of German held positions to allied sight and allied guns.

The battle was important to the Canadian Armed Forces because it was a strong moral booster. They did what others thought impossible in shorter a time then anyone could have hoped and with fewer men. The soldiers increased their will to fight and their drive to prove themselves among the others. The battle was important to the Canadian Armed Forces because it was a strong moral booster. They did what others thought impossible in shorter a time then anyone could have hoped and with fewer men. The soldiers increased their will to fight and their drive to prove themselves among the others.

The Germans fortified Hill 145. The 4th Divisions were hampered by fire from the Pimple, the other prominent height. April 10, a fresh assault by a relieving brigade cleared the summit of Hill 145, placing Vimy Ridge in Canadian hands. Two days later, units of the 10th Canadian Brigade successfully stormed the Pimple. Canada owed its success over Vimy Ridge to sound and careful planning and detailed preparation. But it was the splendid fighting qualities and devotion to duty of Canadian officers and soldiers on the battlefield that were important.

Loss: Canadian lost over 3,598 causalities out off the 10,602. Canadian lost over 3,598 causalities out off the 10,602. Between the French, Germans and Britain they lost over 200,000 causalities. Between the French, Germans and Britain they lost over 200,000 causalities. Gain: Canadian victory at Vimy defined the country emerged from under the shadow of Britain and felt capable of greatness. 3,000 Prisoners. Vimy Ridge

- Battles: The Battle of Vimy Ridge, Battles: The Battle of Vimy Ridge, Last Updated Sunday, Feb. 2 nd Original Material By Michael Duffy - Battle of Vimy Ridge, April Sources: For King & Empire, Veterans Affairs Canada, Library and Archives of Canada - Last Updated April 8 th, Veteran Affairs Canada - The Battle of Vimy Ridge - Last Updated Sept. 18 th, 1998