Today, under a clear blue sky and brisk -9 degree temperatures, a small ceremony was held at the Canadian War Museum to remember the 99th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. This battle in World War I is considered by many to be the marking of Canada’s entry onto the world stage as a power in its’ own right rather than a vassal of Great Britain in that it was the first time that the four Canadian Divisions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force came together as a unit (Corps), under Canadian leadership, and took Vimy Ridge which had been held by the Germans and repelled allied attacks for years. “Historians attribute the success of the Canadian Corps in capturing the ridge to a mixture of technical and tactical innovation, meticulous planning, powerful artillery support and extensive training”. The cost of the four day battle was high at 3,598 dead and 7,004 wounded (wikepedia numbers) with four members of the Canadian Corps receiving Victoria Crosses.
The official party consisted of Capt(N) Christophe Balducci (Defence Attaché for the Embassy of France), Walt Natynczyk (Veterans Affairs), Karen McCrimmon,
(Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs), LGen Guy Thibault (Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff), and Mr. Stephen Quick (Director-General of the Canadian War Museum). Of particular interest at the Ceremony this year was Mr. John Newell who laid a wreath but was also present at the opening ceremony of the Vimy Ridge Memorial in France in 1936.
To see all the images, CLICK HERE:
