[JayM]

I just wanted everyone to be aware that April 9th is the Battle of Vimy Ridge. For the first time since then there are no more living Canadians for that time. Take some time to remember our fallen Soldiers.

Unveiling of Canada's National Memorial at Vimy Ridge - His Majesty draws the cord that unveils the figure of Canada.
26 July 1936
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a7/Vimy_Memorial_-_unveiling_%28front%29.jpg

More Information:
Wikipedia Vimy Ridge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Vimy_Ridge)

[1ajs]

sad to think we lost that link

[harryc]

Tragically most US forumers , much less the average Joe on the street - have no idea what you are talking about.

[MonctonRad]

Tragically most US forumers , much less the average Joe on the street - have no idea what you are talking about.

I appreciate you honesty harryc.

Although Canada had fought in WW1 from the very beginning in 1914, Vimy Ridge was the first time that the Canadian Army had fought in an offensive as a single cohesive unit. Vimy Ridge was the most difficult objective in the Arras campaign and British and French forces has previously been repulsed on numerous occasions with sigificant losses.

The Canadians used a unique tactic, a "creeping barrage" of artillery fire with our troops advancing across the field while the enemy lined were still being shelled. We achieved a great victory, with the German defenders calling our soldiers "storm troopers" - the first time that term was ever used.

Canadian troops fought valiantly throughout the First World War and spearheaded the Allied advance on the western front in 1918. Our contribution at the end was so great, that this part of the war is still referred to in France as "Canada's 100 days".

Vimy is important in Canada as it is considered to be the battle that forged our nation. It is remembered as much as Gallipoli is in Australia and Gettysburg in the U.S.

I hope this helps. :)

[DHLawrence]

And for those that prefer their history brought to life, the History Minute (http://www.histori.ca/minutes/minute.do;jsessionid=D9BC28D3F45A3A5EC99E3EAC13BAC27A.tomcat1?id=14742) about the Vimy Ridge campaign.

Would be nice if they were still making these. They could do one about Beaumont-Hamel or the liberation of the Netherlands.

[vid]

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1272/536412867_a7bfd5a54b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sparks68/536412867/)
©Sparks68 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sparks68/)

It took over two years for Walter S. Allward to find a stone that he thought suitable for the monument.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_National_Vimy_Memorial

[isaidso]

Thankfully, the Vimy Ridge memorial survived World War 2 unscathed. Hitler admired it and ordered that it be spared. Another interesting tidbit: As a token of gratitude, the land it sits on is considered Canadian soil despite being located in France.

[1ajs]

hitler was a ww1 vet witch probly had somthing to do with that

[isaidso]

He was also known for his penchant for architecture, art, and design. His tastes were fairly rigid, but the Vimy Ridge Memorial was of a style he approved of.

[Rico Rommheim]

hitler was a ww1 vet witch probly had somthing to do with that

really? I knew Hitler was a vampire but I had no idea he also subscribed to the witch order. Not that surprising really.

[giallo]

It's a truly beautiful monument.

[raggedy13]

I believe another reason Hitler spared it was because it is a monument of mourning and sorrow rather than of triumph and victory.