Vimy Ridge Contribution To Canada

The country that first was not known as nothing, soon became the saviours of the first world war.In the starting of the first world war, Canada was not known as anything, if they were known as anything they were known as one of the British Colonies. Canada being in the first world war had made such a big impact on the people of Canada and Canada itself was changed. Canada had made many contributions during the first world war, the biggest contributions they made were during Vimy Ridge, Minorities at war and Passchendaele.

One of the most historically changed military contributions Canada had made was during Vimy Ridge. The battle of Vimy Ridge started at 5:30am on Easter Monday, April 9,1917. In the first wave of Canadians 15,000-20,000

soldiers were loaded with weapons and attacked toughly through the snow. In 1914 Canada was controlled by the United Kingdom. Due to United Kingdom controlling Canada at the time, it meant that as soon as the war was declared, Canada had automatically been put into the war.

Tens and thousands of Canadians came out and rushed to join the military. They were not worried of the fact that they have to serve the war for 4 years. In the battle of Western Front was the introduction to trench fighting. The trenches made it so difficult for the soldiers to fight. The trenches were the worst nightmares for the soldiers, it made them miserable. Soon there was a major attack that was planned in the area of Arras, France. In this attack, the Canadians were told to captivate Vimy Ridge. However, Germany had captured Vimy Ridge earlier in the war, therefore they had taken this advantage and made Vimy Ridge more powerful and stronger, they made the transformation into a strong defensive position and made into a complicated system of tunnels and trenches. The Canadians moved to the front lines across from Vimy Ridge. The battle of Vimy Ridge was the first time all four of the divisions of the Canadian Corps had fought together as one formation. The Canadians had spent their entire winter preparing the lines for the assault on Vimy Ridge. The Germans had raided positions so that they can gather information to use against Canada. During this there was over

a million shells that had poured down during what the Germans called the ‘’ Week of Suffering.” On april 10, the Canadians were capturing the ridges, and by noon the ridges were captured, however the main ridge; Hill 145, was taken. After 2 days the Canadians had captured “The Pimple,” the pimple was another very highly important ridge. The Germans then came to the conclusion of giving up and backing away, with this the battle of Vimy Ridge was over. The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a great success however it came with a huge cost. But this battle, started to make the Canadians have a identity. With France being grateful to Canada, they made the “Canadian National Vimy Memorial” at the top of Hill 145 which now is residing in a quiet courtyard.

In the first war of minorities, it made people come to a realization how the Canadians were showing more than just there men fighting in the war.

Women came out and reached to help the men who were severely injured. Woman had showed the same passion as the men had towards the war. As soon as Britain has declared war, men and women came so that they can be part of this war. In starting there were only 5 Permanent Force nurses and 57 listed in reserve. But, by 1917, the Canadian Army Nursing Service had 2,300 nurses along with 233 reserves. The First World War shows such sacrifice and courage.The Canadian Nursing Sisters were woking amongst the number 1 Canadian General Hospital, Etaples which was bombed by the Germans. Three nursing sisters had died in June 1918. On the day of June 27, 1918, at the time of night. The Canadian Hospital ship was attacked by the germans, in this attack 234 people and 14 sisters had died. In France and Africa there were a lot of people that were swelled by a infection and other outbreaks of diseases such as the disease called the meningitis. Even though with this big of a disease affecting many people, this meant that the nurses had loads of work, this however did not slow down the Canadian Nursing Sisters to stop and put a lot of pressure on the nurses the Canadian Nursing Sisters gave their best and comforted te sick and injured. The black canadians were the ones who were eager to serve the war but due to some people who made it difficult for

them to join. Ignoring this fact, some man were still able to join. These Canadian women showed what contributions Canada was giving toward this war, and this us just one of them. These women had also showed that they could do more then just sit at home and encourage men to go to war.

The Canadians were mostly known for their bravery in the fight of Passchendaele. Passchendaele is known for the battles, when the Canadians had showed their bravery in. For the first time Canada was able to command their own forces. The battle of Ypres, the fight at the Ypres was a difficult fight. The Third Battle of Ypres was taken by the British commander Sir Douglas Haig.The Canadians were sent to Belgium to batter the ANZAC forces. The Canadians Corps commander Lieutenant-General Arthur Currie inspected the terrain and he was surprised at the conditions he had seen. The Canadians had reached the outskirts by the end of Passchendaele. On november 6 the Canadians and the british had captured the ruined village of passchendaele. After the Canadians had attacked in November 10 and cleared the Germans form the east side. The Canadians had successfully succeeded. In the fighting at Passchendaele 9 Canadian soldiers had earned the Victoria Cross. Canada did have a great success but it came with a great cost. The Canadian had truly impressed many people and surly were now recognized for there work and bravery. They had gained a seat and there own signature at the treaty of Versailles.

In conclusion the Canadians had made many contributions. They after were recognized for there work and effort. Canada now had earned respect from everyone. Canadians that didn't have a identity now had there very own identity that was earned with much effort. They now were appreciated and France was grateful for what Canada had done for them. And so are we, we have have a identity as Canadians because of them. They were barely known has anything before this war, no one had known what could have they contributed but these three battles had shown what they can do and they had proved everyone who they were.