Interview with Radio-Canada

http://www6.radio-canada.ca/emissions/Libre_echange/2012-2013/index.asp

Vimy Ridge

 The Battle of Vimy Ridge took place from April 9-12, 1917. This was the first time in history that Canadian forces united, and many say it is the moment we became a nation. The Canadians trained for 6 months for this mission. This allowed time for the building of tunnels, training, and most importantly practice. All troops were given a watch and a map with detailed plans. This preparation was necessary as this was considered the strongest point in the German lines because of the high vantage point Vimy Ridge provided. 

The attack was originally scheduled for dawn on April 8th, and troops were mobilized into tunnels and artillery put into place. Unfortunately, a snow storm delayed the attack, which meant that most soldiers were stuck in their tunnels for 36-48 hours! When the attack did take place on the morning of April 9th, the Canadians took the Germans largely by surprise. Nevertheless, the Germans resisted until they were finally overwhelmed by the 12th of April. Canada's victory came with a huge price: 3,600 casualties which represent the most casualties in Canadian Military History. This is why the monument shows victory as 'loss' and exemplifies the huge sacrifice needed to win a battle in WWI. Vimy is also meant to honour the 11 000 lost Canadian soldiers of the Great War, with names engraved on the side of the monument.

Statue of the 'father' which is one of the first statues you see as you approach the monument.

At the top of the monument, more sculptures are meant to depict the sense of suffering these soldiers had to face.

Names of soldiers whose bodies were never found in WWI.

Statue of Mother Canada, looking down over the ridge and the tomb of the unknown soldier.

Front of Vimy Monument.

I'm 5'10", which should give a sense of just how massive this monument is!

Statues depicting a warrior protecting the weak.

Mother Canada in the center of the two pillars. This is an incredible monument!



Tomb of the unknown soldier.

Vimy Ridge (front) from distance.

Grave rubbing done by a fellow teacher, as he found the name of a relative who had fought and died at Vimy Ridge.

TUNNELS AND TRENCHES AT VIMY...

The Maple Leaf... not a part of our flag in 1917, but the symbol of a young nation.

Soldiers... known and unknown (WWI)

After a day of visiting memorials and cemeteries, it became difficult to comprehend the overwhelming number of soldiers who gave their lives in the tragedy of the First World War.  After Beaumont-Hamel, we visited Thiepval monument and cemetery.  Then we stopped at a little known cemetery called 'Sunken Road Cemetery.' 

Thiepval Monument in Thiepval, France.  This huge monument was built by the French and British to honour over 70,000 'Lost Soldiers' from the First World War.  Their bodies were never found.  Their names are found on virtually every surface of the monument.



Cemetery at Thiepval.  Unknown (Inconnu) soldiers of the French Army are buried on the left, and British (as well as Canadian) unknown soldiers on the right.

The inscriptions read 'two unknown soldiers of the Great War'.  When the graves are placed so close together, it indicates that it was virtually impossible to discern one soldier from the other.

 I was asked by my father-in-law, Dale Alexander, to search for a relative of his to help with his family tree.  Thanks to our guides, we were able to find Sunken Road Cemetery near the town of Arras, France.  Harold Addington Foster was born in Fredericton, NB and joined the 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles.  Tragically, at the age of 42, he died on September 29th, 1918.  This was just over one month before the end of the war.  Although I did not know him, I know that he selflessly gave his life for those he cared for.  Like thousands of Canadians who made the ultimate sacrifice, he is 'Gone but not forgotten.'

Beaumont-Hamel

The Caribou Monument at Beaumont-Hamel in France. This memorial is dedicated to the Royal Newfoundland Regiment who fought bravely at the Battle of the Somme on July 1st, 1916. On that day, the regiment of approx. 700 soldiers suffered 90% casualties. There is a Caribou Monument in St. John's that faces this one in France.                        

Trench warfare was prominent in the First World War.  It was this system that led to a battle of attrition and caused many casualties.  Soldiers would go 'over the top' and storm toward enemy lines, while the artillery would pound the enemy front lines by shooting over top of their own soldiers.  One major problem in this battle was that the shells used by the Newfoundland Regiment weren't heavy enough to damage the barbed wire leading to the German trenches.  As a result, infantry stormed into 'no man's land' and were trapped in barbed-wire.  The German's also had a well-established position and were able to judge distance perfectly with their artillery. 

 The ground at Beaumont-Hamel remains scarred to this day as a result of artillery bombardments.  Undetonated explosives are also present at this site.

This is an overview of what Newfoundland soldiers would have had to face on the morning of July 1st, 1916. The timing and tactics of the battle have been heavily criticized. This site was chosen out of 'convenience' because there was lots of room for British (includes Newfoundland) and French soldiers to fight side by side, which meant greater numbers to overwhelm the Germans. However, it also meant lack of cover, as you can see in the open field. Another controversy has to do with the time of attack. The decision was made to attack at 7am. This meant the Newfoundland Regiment went over the top of their trench, and were faced with the blazing sun directly in their eyes.  There was no cover of darkness with which to surprise the Germans. 

This marker came to be known as the 'danger tree'.  It symbolizes the point of farthest advance by the Newfoundland Regiment.  At the time, it was the only tree in the field which offered any hope for cover.  Tragically for the Newfoundlanders, it also represents the marker that German artillery used to judge the distance of their artillery shells.  Disoriented and unable to advance past the barbed-wire, many Newfoundland soldiers would flee to this, the only point of cover.  As a result, the Germans were able to bombard this area heavily and cause overwhelming casualties to the Newfoundlanders.  The remains of this tree have been preserved in memory of the soldiers who died in this very area. 

Museum honouring soldiers of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment.  Many of the soldiers were under the age of 20 and some lied about being the minimum age of 16.  The death or injury of nearly 600 soldiers had devastating effects on communities in Newfoundland.



After the war, trees were brought from Newfoundland and planted in the battlefield to honour the dead.  On July 1st, Newfoundlanders remember the dead with a ceremony in the morning of this day of tragedy and the second half of the day is reserved for Canada Day celebrations.  The care taken in preserving the memorial at Beaumont-Hamel means that the young men who perished at this site on July 1st, 1916 will never be forgotten. 

Welcome to my Juno Beach blog!  In just a few days (Aug.5), I'll be going on a fascinating trip to France where I'll be travelling back in time with other teachers to look at Canada's battles in WWI and WWII.  This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience history from a unique perspective, and also share that experience with students in the classroom.  I will be posting pictures, videos, and comments each day as I travel to the many towns, villages, monuments, cemeteries, and memorials that have become a huge part of the legacy and sacrifice of Canadian soldiers in Europe.