Thiepval
Vimy and around
The battles
This page covers Vimy Ridge itself; the memorial, the tunnels, cemeteries and other sites within the preserved battlefield area. However, there are also many sites of interest, many also particularly relevant to Canadians, in the villages and area around Vimy Ridge. A separate page covers the area around Vimy.
The attack at Vimy Ridge which was undertaken by the Canadian Corps (of the First Army) on Easter Monday, the 9th of April, 1917, is often seen as the first unequivocal success gained by the British (in this case Canadian) forces during the course of trench warfare. The Battle of Messines two months later sometimes takes this accolade, but this is a somewhat unfair reflection on the achievements at Vimy. The Germans had held the heights at Vimy Ridge since the trench lines settled in late 1914, and the French (who then held this part of the line) had failed in attempts to take it in May and September of 1915. The sector was taken over by the British early in 1916.