Battle of Vimy Ridge

Overview

The Battle of Vimy Ridge was part of the Battle of Arras, in the Pas-de-Calais department of France, during the First World War. The main combatants were the four divisions of the Canadian Corps in the First Army, against three divisions of the German 6th Army. The battle began the Battle of Arras and was the first attack of the Nivelle Offensive. The objective was to draw German reserves away from the French forces, preparing for the French offensive along the Aisne and the Chemin des Dames ridge several days later.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

The Battle of Vimy Ridge opened the broader Battle of Arras and served as the first action of the Nivelle Offensive. The Canadian Corps, fielding all four of its divisions under Julian Byng, attacked three divisions of the German 6th Army commanded by Ludwig von Falkenhausen in the Pas-de-Calais. The immediate operational purpose was to fix and draw German reserves away from the front, easing pressure on French forces preparing to strike along the Aisne and the Chemin des Dames ridge days later. Canada committed approximately 30,000 troops and sustained around 3,598 casualties; German losses reached roughly 4,000. The engagement thus carried both a tactical role within Allied coordination and a broader symbolic weight as the first occasion all four Canadian divisions operated together as a single corps in a major assault.

Forces & casualties

Commanders (2)