For King and Empire - Season 1, Episode 03: Storming the Ridge: The Canadians at Vimy - 1917

In 1917, Vimy was a barren fortress of the German army. Many thought it would never be taken and the Germans never dislodged. All 4 Canadian divisions arrived in late 1916 after the bloodbath they faced at the Somme. In holding the ridge, it is estimated that the Germans suffered 140,000 casualties. Fighting was not expected until the spring but the men knew what was to come. The opposing forces were no more than 100 yards apart and the attack is planned for Easter 1917. Following a two week artillery barrage 300,000 attacked. Canadian troops numbered 8,000 in that initial attack and the entire action proved to be quite successful. In all, 21,000 Canadians fell on Vimy Ridge.