Vimy Ridge

Upon the outbreak of World War I in August 1914, Canada, in union with England, sent an expeditionary force of men who had volunteered for overseas service.

As the result of this unanmity and the previous preparation of the militia, a force of 33,000 men was sent to England in October 1914. There, they had to complete training; not until the spring of 1915 did Canadian units see action.

At first they served as battalions in British formations, but the Canadian government and people were determined Canadian units should be kept together. The First Davison was formed in 1915; the Second in the same year. The Third and Fourth came in 1916. In 1915, the Canadian Corps was formed and four divisions fought together in the attack on Vimy Ridge April 9, 1917.

In a cold drizzling rain, in mud that soaked and clung as if devised to hinder progress and moved to that end by some evil spirit, the Canadian Corps set out under cover of a heavy and effective artillery barrage at daybreak. General Byng had evidently planned the attack to the minutest detail. The big guns were so massed, each had but 16 yards to cover. The barrage was like a steel net between the attacking and enemy forces.

Progress was slow and painful, but the Canadians went on into desperate, hand-to-hand conflict with bulldog persistence. It was impossible to drive them back: foot by foot, yard by yard, they broke through the enemy line.

Long before the day was closed, Vimy Ridge was won and Canada's imperishable fame was established in the eyes of the world. Too much glory cannot be given to those who won that terrible conflict.

It is true war is always a mistake, that it never settles any questions and stirs up many more; but there comes a time when war is made inevitable. When that time comes, it is necessary to be strong.

All men should work and pray to prevent the reoccurrence of war and - may it never happen again - yet so long as the world stands, the deeds of the Canadian Corps at Vimy Ridge will bring a thrill of pride and a shimmer to the eyes of all brave men and women. It will long be told how, between April 9 and May 3 of that year, the Canadian Corps, in addiction to capturing Vimy Ridge with its fortified strongholds, took 5,000 prisoners, 55 field and heavy guns, hundreds of machine guns and trench mortars, and huge quantities of valuable material. They decimated a number of German divisions, among them some of the pick of the Kaiser's army. This forced the enemy to draw heavily from reserves in front of the French lines, and was a very significant factor in accomplishing one of the most notable victories during the whole war. That is a notable record for so young a country.

Hats may be doffed to Vimy Ridge, whether one supports or opposes militarism. Superhuman heroism demands that much.