Vimy Ridge 1917
Situated to the north of Arras in France, Vimy Ridge is the site of a major attack in the spring of 1917 by four Canadian Divisions aimed to push the German forces from the ridge. The assault on Vimy Ridge would be just one part of the an Allied offensive in the area to the north and south of Arras.
The assault aginst Vimy Ridge began at 5.30 a.m. on the 9th April 1917 in heavy snow. By the evening of 10th April, the Canadians had captured the majority of the Ridge at a cost of almost 3000 soldiers losing their lives.
Today on top of Vimy Ridge and standing on land granted to the Canada is the Canadian National Memorial, which stands as a tribute to all those who served their country in battle.
The land surrounding the Memorial Park is still fenced off because of the risk from unexploded ordnance left from the war. Lower down the slopes, up which the Canadians attacked, reconstructed trench and tunnel systems exist. All over the hill the scars of shell, mine craters and trenches can still be seen.
This page is dedicated to
Gunner George Bailey
5th Battery, 2nd Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery
killed in action 26 December 1917 at Ablain St Nazaire.
