swept Ridge of Glory Rises From Mists - PDF document

Rain - swept Ridge of Glory Rises From Mists of Years As Vimy Anniversary Dawns Advent of April 9 Brings Memories of Day When Battalions of Canadi- an Lads Hurled Back From Stout Defenses the Pride of Hinden- bug’s Soldiery _______________ BATTLE DEFINITELY “TURNED THE TIDE” _______________ To a barren rain - swept hill in Northern France there will return this weekend the thoughts of thou- sands of Canadians who, despite the passage of years, remember with pride and anguish the imper- ishable glory — and the casualty lists — of Vimy Ridge. Five years ago tomorrow the Canadian Corps played an important role in the winning of one of the greatest battles of the war...It fell to the lot of the Canadians to be confronted with the formidable defenses of Vimy Ridge, of whose impregnability the enemy boasted...His best troops were stationed along the Ridge, and the flower of the German army — the First and Third Divisions of the Prussian Gren- adier Guards — faced the Canadians that morning. Troops Sing All Night ...Troops were massing in our first lines; all were “standing to.” With absolute coolness the men were discussing such everyday affairs as the scanty rum ration, the kind of weather they might be having in Nova Scotia, and the general stinginess of the “Q.M.” Nobody seemed impressed with the fact that they were about to make history. Officers were walking up and down. They had to forbid some French - Canadian companies singing any longer… The hour struck. The barrage started. With the barrage came the first drops of rain. This soon in- creased in volume, and the day turned colder. By noon it was sleet and snow, and it still raged three days later when the Canadians cleared the Ger- mans from the “Pimple.” First Waves Go Over The first waves went over, and it soon became apparent that our artillery...had wrought havoc among the German defenses. A rain of death had poured upon the enemy; his whole first line was pounded out of recognition. ...A few minutes after our troops started the at- tack the German “S.O.S.” rockets started to ascend. They soon went up all along the line. Hindenburg’s best men, Bavarian “shock troops” were rushing to the Vimy section. It was in vain. The heroism and dash of the Canadians had carried the first defen - ses half an hour after the battle opened... Once on top of the hills, the Canadians gained some impression of the havoc wrought by the big guns. Wire entanglements had been cut and twist- ed into an indescribable mess. The village of Thelus, on top of the ridge...had been obliterated. Dugouts had been smashed in, and the very earth churned and plowed by the continued play of high explosives and shrapnel. Prussian Guard Falls On the left the first Canadian waves had met formidable resistance...The tunnels and immense caves constructed by the Germans during the win- ter months soon disgorged regiment upon regiment of fresh Bavarian troops... German reserves came all the way from Lens and Douai to stiffen the defense. The enemy had attached special importance to the retention of the ridge on account of its strategic importance, and the Prussian Guard had been told to “hang on” at whatever cost. What Fayolle Said During the visit to Canada of the French Mis- sion, The Globe was in conversation with Marshal Fayolle of the French Supreme Command. Dis- cussing the battle of Vimy Ridge the Marshal said: “The capture of that ridge was of supreme im- portance. It gave us access to the country behind. It was one of the greatest achievements of the war. I think it was the result of careful planning by the Canadian Army Command, carried out by your incomparable troops.” Preparations for the offensive had been elabo- rate. An exact replica of each hill had been made in plasticine. Every detailed movement of each battal- ion had been rehearsed days in advance by battal- ion commanders. The Air Force had taken elabo- rate photographs, with the result that every gully, each rise and decline in the plateau, was known to the officers. Glory — And Tears The capture of Vimy Ridge and Hill 145 was followed a few days after by the taking of the Pim- ple. Hindenburg had suffered a crushing defeat. He had not been short of troops. He had unlimited reserves and he had used them copiously. But he had failed. When the news of the great victory became known in Canada there was a thrill of pride throughout the length and breadth of the country. There were, too, many sorrowing hearts. Hundreds of Canada’s best had paid with their lives for the victory. They consecrated Vimy Ridge as a spot “forever Canada.”