American Reacts to the Battle of Vimy Ridge | Canadian Victory in World War 1

[@stephenpaquet]

My grandfather was in the first wave at Vimy Ridge, he was one of the casualties hit three times by a 30 calibre machine gun survived his wounds came home and never talked about it. I only saw him once without his undershirt on. It early in the morning, he was coming out of the bathroom after shaving, I was about eight years old. The horrifying scars left me speechless I’ll never forget it. When I asked him about it, He just said oh that happened in the war, turned and walked into the kitchen and started making breakfast. That was my Pepe, a man a few words, but a heart of gold.

[@Ty-zi1cn]

I have some relatives who fought at vimy too, they ended up on the vimy monument as their body wasn’t found

[@concernedcitizen3476]

My Grandfather also was at Vimy and survived . He lied about his age to get in when he was only 15

[@bengale8106]

⁠@@concernedcitizen3476my great grandfather also lied and ended up at Vimy, he was 15 at the time and survived. Edit: he was younger than I had thought.

[@katiem6773]

Brave man indeed.

[@thegeekyfeline]

My great grandfather also was in the first wave - was hit by machine gun fire, a mortar buried him up to his neck and saved his life. They found him the next day while collecting bodies, spent months in Spain and after several surgeries was shipped to the US for further recovery. The family was notified he had died, but was overjoyed when he returned nearly a year later missing half a lung, a kidney and a length of his intestines. He never told the family anything, but a surviving war friend ended up giving most of the story before his death. I have fond memories of seeing him in the veterans hospital as a very young child. He was bedridden and mute due to a stoke by then, but he was beyond overjoyed at having seen a great grandchild having been born to the family when he never expected to live in the first place. I’ve always felt very honored to have a link to the battle, and to have known him. He lived a humble life after his return, helping those he could and holding every moment he had in life in high regard. I learned so much from him and his sacrifices ❤️

[@murraytown4]

Most Canadians, especially those of a certain age, are well aware of Vimy. The monument is pictured on the Canadian $20.

[@BarkerVancity]

we also know Passchendaele and Somme

[@kellyhalpin6056]

My uncle died in Holland over a battle for a bridge he was 21. Holland gifts tulips to Canada every year in thanks. The Danish maintain his grave along with many others.

[@kellyhalpin6056]

The poem called "In Flanders fields" was written by a Canadian who died. The poem was found in his pocket. This is where the poppies for remembrance come from.

[@patrickforrester8425]

My grandmothers uncle was killed in 1917 at yprez, From Montreal quebec

[@carlop.7182]

I'm not very old (52), but I know about it because I went there when I visited France, many years ago. Didn't plan to go there, but a local talked to me about it and offered me a ride, as we were close to it.

[@rossd8361]

Hi, Tyler. At the start of WW1, the British attitude toward the Canadian Army was one of them being a bunch of farmers and lumberjacks that can be used as cannon fodder. Vimy Ridge was Canada’s first statement of military independence. That is why the battle is very important to the Canadian identity. When the victory was reported back to the British high command, they were not believed. It was thought to be impossible that a ragtag bunch of peasants could defeat this heavily defended high ground. It wasn’t until the top brass was brought to the site to see that the Canadian had defeated the Germans were they believed.

[@rocksandforestquiver959]

Londoners and Aristocrats have been underestimating frontier folk since Roman times lol

[@timexgirl]

This needs to be boosted

[@pirbird14]

Well put. I was trying to find a way to express it. Pierre Burton did a wonderfull job of telling the story in his book, "Vimy"".

[@kevinj8700]

​@rocksandforestquiver959 exactly. They never expected a bunch of colonials to accomplish what the French and British couldn't.

[@csn10]

@@rocksandforestquiver959 As it turns out, who better to withstand the horrific conditions in trenches, through mud and snow, and to summon the stamina, than men who grew up hunting, farming and chopping wood in the winter?

[@darcymartin7608]

I had 3 ancestors who were killed at the Battle for Vimy Ridge. My University Canadian History Professor explained it this way. The British Military Commanders wanted the Canadians do the same thing the French and Brits and other allies had done, in order to take the Ridge. The Canadian military leaders said "no, we'll do it our way". The Canadians did it "our way" and we won. We thought for ourselves. Canadians went up the Ridge as a Colony of Great Britain and came down as the country of Canada. These men were farmers, lumberjacks, labourers, people born in other countries - not just the UK. They became Canadians on that hill. Canada became a country on that hill. If you want to do a related reaction, check out the carvings in the tunnels/trenches done by Canadians. Some of them are real works of art. One thing they all have in common - the majority of them have a maple leaf somewhere. These men knew who they were.

[@sallyfeschuk5771]

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. People forget the families at home served, too. Thank you. Forever grateful. ❤❤🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@keithpeden7664]

Well said Darcy!

[@marilynmckercher4147]

There is so much more to this. I just watched a documentary about it. The meticulous planning is shocking . The Germans held it for three years and Canada took it in 2 days

[@johnfisher9816]

Tyler, Vimy Ridge is just north of the beautiful French city of Arras, near the village of Vimy. The ridge overlooks the Douai Plain and the city of Lille. I have had the honour of visiting Vimy Ridge 14 times, mainly as an officer in the Canadian Army. Four members of my family fought at Vimy (2 great uncles, an uncle, and a grandfather), with one being named on the monument. The Battle of Vimy Ridge was the first time that all four Canadian Divisions got to fight together as a single corps, commanded by Canadians. A corps is a formation composed of several divisions, each division composed of several brigades, with formed of several battalions (going the other way, it's soldier>section>platoon>company>battalion>brigade>division>corps>army). Prior to this, Canadian units fought has part of British formations. General Sir Arthur Currie was the brains behind the planning and training for the attack. Casualties include wounded. The frontage of the attack was several miles wide. The Battle of Vimy Ridge was part of the larger Battle of Arras. Unfortunately, the news of the US finally deciding to enter the war overshadowed the victory of Vimy Ridge. The Canadian memorial and 200 hectares surrounding it are today considered Canadian soil, having been gifted from the people of France to the people of Canada in perpetuity.

[@cathymacdonald1469]

As a Canadian this site sure makes you feel humble. Visited in 2022. I to have a family member names on the monument.

[@1167400]

Actually legally French soil but administered by Canada.

[@johnfisher9816]

@@1167400 Watch the 90th Anniversary of Vimy Ridge. As Head of State and Queen of Canada, Queen Elizabeth II welcomed French President Jacques Chirac to Vimy Ridge. If it was French soil, it would have been the other way around. This subtle and poignant point of protocol amply illustrated the grace and magnanimity of the French people. A wonderful gesture, especially for Canadian veterans.

[@Dock284]

A casualty can include deaths but generally includes people who were injured or otherwise unable to return to battle afterwards.

[@BouncingTribbles]

Always includes. A death is a casualty, but a casualty is not always a death.

[@kontiuka]

In some circles, casualties only mean death. But in military terms, a casualty is death, serious injury, capture, MIA. Like you said, anything that takes someone off the battlefield.

[@michaeldowson6988]

Commanding officers need a quick report of who is left to carry on that day. So dead and wounded are lumped together. Many of the wounded may be able to return to duty another day.

[@RayBetterThanEvilCanival]

Casualty is both deaths and injured. Fatality is strictly deaths

[@James-zg2nl]

All of you are a bit wrong. Casualty means any person no longer available to fight at the roll call the next day. This includes deaths, wounded, ill, injured (not the same as wounded) captured by the enemy, missing, and presumed dead but not accounted for. As a former combat medic, I state this with first-hand experience of listing casualties on paperwork… in the most concise way to state it: anyone on the parade state that is not on authorized leave and not accounted for is as casualty of some kind because they aren’t in the fight anymore.

[@curtisberard7831]

Germany:"You will never take this ridge." Canada:"England,hold our beer."

[@14goldmedals]

"And don't let it get warm, we'll be right back."

[@IronWarhorsesFun]

but we keep the ice skates and hockey sticks even during sex.

[@djsmith2871]

Canada: Don't worry. We got this. We'll be working on the Geneva Suggestions

[@Lord_of_Hollows]

​@@djsmith2871 I'm about to get my Platinum Trophie in this game.

[@sklaWlivE]

@@djsmith2871Gotta field test out those entries before including them in the post-war update to the Conventions ;) Canadian: “Now, Jerry the Hun, on a scale of Ein to Funf, how would you rate the inhumanity of grenade tactics we just used? *takes notes* Uhuh…and how about now? *executes prisoner* Huh…you’re also silent about that one, eh? Just like the last 5 test audiences…Gotta find a better way of surveying that last question…”

[@gamingwithgordonashley3558]

Vimy is where the Canadian military "invented" the rolling barrage. It's where the infantry follow as close as possible to the line of artillery explosions, they used them as cover!. The Canadian troops were so close that German survivors said we came "out of the shells". Up untill then the artillery would stop shelling then the infantry would charge, they would also not target each other untill then either, the Canadian gunners whent "F that" and targeted the German artillery for the first time in the war.

[@robertjulianagnel2932]

they also supplied soldiers with maps so if the officers were killed they could continue on to the objective. modern armies use similar tactics today, give more control to individual soldiers,

[@BarkerVancity]

dont foget about the hand to hand combat, where the canadians had spiked clubs and such

[@reaperzx6970]

This! One of the most important parts!

[@frekihelviti]

The 48th highlanders were a big part of this battle. bag pipes hatchets and axes where their personal instruments that they brought with them. Kilts i believe were acceptable issued uniform for them aswell so not personal but gives an image of what a portion of these canadians looked like. Early frontier lumberjacks and oilfield workers. Also a canadian doctor that came up with the first gas mask called the hypo helmet. As the canadians were some of the first troops to be gassed in ww1. Saved alot of lives. The improvised gasmask (pee rag) was also canadian invention in the trenches that saved alot of lives and allowed us to hold the line. (Not sure how they got the idea but I presume oilfield workers may have used it prior to the war)

[@NemFX]

Aka the Death Korps Of Kreig standard. Canada influenced Warhammer by being suicidal in combat.

[@randytessman6750]

Being a 56 yr. old single father I have taught my young daughters(15,14,11) that there is three key parts to Canada. When the BNA was signed(1867) the idea of a nation named Canada was born. At Vimy Ridge(1917) the price of blood was paid in full for the freedoms every other Canadian would enjoy there after. When the Queen signed the Charter of Rights & Freedoms(1982) the actual country of Canada was born

[@vampfashions]

Make a point to highlight to them the weaknesses that elder PM Trudeau built into the "Constitution" and Charter that directly caused many of the intense social problems that we as a nation are suffering so badly today. That they directly wrote into the document "granting" our rights, that those rights can then be taken away or suspended at any time means we still have enormous growing pains yet to suffer in pursuing our "nationhood".

[@markmillward9733]

@@vampfashions it's a document concocted by a Communist lawyer Pierre Trudeau, that should have never been taken seriously.

[@debbiehenson7091]

I went on a battle field study of WWI & WWII. Vimy Ridge was an amazing site. We went to the site where the troops trained and prepped for the battle. Then to the ridge itself. One thing the video left out was the tunnels. Tunnels were dug where troops waited until after the artillery had finished firing. Then the troops emerged on to the battlefield without having to run up the ridge and be slaughtered by enemy gun fire. The tactics used were brilliant and innovative. The memorial that remains is a beautiful piece of art.

[@sac_man9]

It's a Canadian National Park; after France gave it to Canada as a gift. Live free ✌

[@trapperjakk]

50 year old Canadian here. It was taught and celebrated annually when I was in grade school (1979-1992). It was something to witness when I was a Kid. Even the most fidgety, loud, ADD, ADHD, of us all would stand silent and still during our Remberance Day celebrations, Honouring our Honourably Fallen when I was a Kid. Nov 11, 11:11am.

[@kerrybutler5908]

In Normandy Vimy ridge was the only high ground and controlled a huge area. Previous to the battle any Canadian battles were credited to the British. The French tried to take the ridge for one year and had 100,000 casualties. The British tried for one year and had 90,000 casualties. Then they let the Canadians operate independently. They took it in one day at a cost of 10,000 casualties. Part of the success was due to extensive preparation and training. The rolling barrage was one innovation. Aiming artillery at the barbed wire to blow it apart was another. In the French, British and German armies only the officers knew the plan. In the Canadian army all men knew the plan. That meant that if the officer was shot the NCO could keep it going. If the NCO was shot the corporal could keep it going, right down to the private. The men were ordered to keep moving and not stop for anything. If they ran into a tough pillbox, go around it and leave it for the next wave to deal with. They knew the objective and were told to achieve it any way they could. That allowed them to improvise. As a consequence the Canadians were into the first German trenches before the Germans were even aware. It became hand to hand combat. The Canadians were tough frontiersmen and used to brawls. After Vimy the Canadians continued to operate as an independent unit allied to the British army and were often the spearhead of major attacks. The Germans coined a name for the Canadians " Stormtroopers". The French government ceded the ground the the memorial is on and it is now part of Canada.

[@billrosmus6734]

Vimy Ridge is not in Normandy. Not even close. Better for folks to go to Wikipedia.

[@stephenp448]

Vimy Ridge isn't part of Canada (which is to say you don't have to clear Canadian Customs to go there). The land is simply owned by the Government of Canada.

[@14goldmedals]

The land is gifted to the country of Canada which means every man, woman and child in perpetuity.

[@CorrionReap]

​@@stephenp448 land being owned by a country makes it a part of canada... also canada is very lax with its customs, and it would be a pain in the arse to staff and enforce canadian customs over there so we simply don't.

[@vampfashions]

@@CorrionReap "Land being owned by a country makes it a part of Canada" will likely come under some intense debate when Western Canada leaves and tells Canada it no longer owns anything within the new borders.

[@gwine9087]

My uncle was at The Somme, Vimy Ridge, and Passchendaele. I visited Vimy ,in 1994. The land, there, was given to the people of Canada, by the French. so I was, technically, in Canada.

[@robertsmith4681]

Was it around the time that they rediscovered the tunnels with all the carvings under the monument ?

[@susieq9801]

My mom's uncle Simon Clarridge was at Vimy in WW1. He was shot in the knee and grazed in the head by a bullet but survived. He was on reconnaissance the day before the battle or very likely might have died. I went on the Canadian military archive site and was even able to see his X-rays. He was NOT born in the UK but in Alberta. I have a photo of my dad who was in the RCAF in WW2 standing in a trench at Vimy.

[@chefbkeyes]

That grandpa was put to the test like 💯. ❤

[@gwine9087]

@@robertsmith4681 I visited one of the tunnels that they have preserved. Fascinating.

[@pipersfancy]

Canadian veteran and military history buff here. I feel privileged to have grown up during a time with relatives and friends of my parents who served in WWII; it gave me the opportunity to hear some of their stories firsthand. I've always felt it important to keep these stories alive. Thanks, Tyler, for your interest in learning and speaking about the country I love - Canada.

[@joshodell6703]

I felt that buddy 💯💯

[@PnCBio]

I'm just gonna put my Canadian modesty to the side for a sec... As many learned that day, and then in wars ever since, when you really need to get stufft done, you send in the Canadians. Good stuff like combined arms, or informing everyone on the plan so the next highest rank can assume command if needed, urban combat techniques, special forces (devil's brigade), pop out of the effort. The downside being that we inevitably take disproportionate casualties, but we fight to win.

[@lisapeart]

Absolutely!

[@tristanridley1601]

We got that reputation by being politically expendable. They sent Canadians (and other colonial forces) to situations that were hopeless and expected huge casualties. And then... We won anyhow. Eventually they noticed, but it's the Germans who noticed first.

[@PnCBio]

@@tristanridley1601 Well said. It was driven by necessity. If we're going to be treated as disposable, we have to be fierce AND be smart about it. Self-preservation is a great motivator, as is altruism.

[@djbwren3704]

As they say, it’s not a war crime the first time.

[@PnCBio]

@@djbwren3704 Indeed, not that many are familiar with our WWI Geneva Convention inducing behaviour. We get really worked up even today when someone threatens our friends. But today we mostly colour within the lines, and we aren't automatically treated as cannon fodder for the European powers. I'm old enough to remember Somalia, let alone some dubious Afghan prisoner transfers, hence the "mostly" :).

[@ghislaingagnon8566]

Hey Tyler, continue your great work.

[@juanitao722]

Vimy Ridge Monument in France is the most beautiful thing you will see as a Canadian. It’s incredibly moving.

[@vampfashions]

And the only WW1 memorial that Hitler refused to allow to be desecrated, half for the beauty, and half for the fear of atrocities it would trigger.

[@Trund27]

@@vampfashionsthat’s amazing. I had no idea about this. It’s my dream to see the Vimy Monument one day. It’s consecrated ground.

[@myles2460]

There were a few things that got glossed over: The invention of the combined arms strategies in the war was largely attributed to the Canadian's at Vimy Ridge, stuff like the Creeping Barrage and counter battery fire had never been attempted and became a cornerstone of the aggressive assault oriented Canadian strategies. This was unheard of and considered suicidal strategy in the trench warfare dominated first world war. Secondly, this position in the German defensive line was considered impregnable by both German and Allied forces. The almost casual taking of Vimy Ridge by Canadians rattled the German's to the core along the rest of the line, and galvanized allied forces. Strategically it also created a breach that ultimately allowed the allied forces to liberate France, the Netherlands, and Belgium. As a side note, as a Canadian I've been to Vimy Ridge, it's astonishing. The pictures and written word don't really convey just how difficult this place would be to take. You can see what feels like almost all of France from the top. I was there in 2019 and the impacts from the artillery shells are still there, massive craters with trees clinging to the sides. 10, 15, 30 feet across in some places. There are still mines and you need to stay on the footpaths. Every Canadian should go once if they have a chance.

[@Duessa2000]

Many historians will say Canada became a nation that day. They touched on the models and training done before the attack, but something truly unusual for the time is that EVERY soldier knew EVERY objective, and many carried maps. This allowed for the attacking forces to be self sufficient and carry on if leadership was wounded or killled, or if communication was limited

[@ArtisChronicles]

That's a very important point that's easily taken for granted now

[@DougD-j2h]

My neighbour LT C.S. Rutherford was a ww1 veteran. He was an interesting person to know, he also convinced a bunch of Germans that they were surrounded. He was out numbered by a lot of German soldiers by he convinced them that they were done for if they didn’t surrender. He was a Victoria cross winner. I visited he grave this year. He passed away in 1998.

[@jaswmclark]

When I was growing up in Brockville, in our neighbourhood lived Thane Wendall McDowell, the only victoria cross winner at Vimy Ridge who survived the war. Sir Arthur Currie, the Canadian General who planned the attack did not look on his men as "cannon fodder" like other allied leaders, including the Americans, but as intelligent men who should be trained, and given all the documentation and knowledge needed to reach their objective. Even the German's acknowleged him as one of the most capable generals of the war. Yimy Ridge demonstrated that the self governing Dominions of Canada, Austrailia, New Zealand, and South Africa, now deserved their own place on the world stage, a position acknowledged by the President of France. As usual objection came from the United States.

[@michaeldowson6988]

I grew up just down river in Morrisburg. All that region is littered with forts and battle grounds from defending ourselves from America.

[@cactuscanuck6802]

My grandfather survived Vimy. He was a Corporal, fighting in the British York & Lancs Regiment alongside the Canadians. He later moved to Canada in the 1920s. It was largely due to Vimy that for the remainder of WW1, the Germams were basically scared sh*tless of the Canadians. In WW2, Germans nicknamed the Canadian soldiers "Devil Dogs" because of their relentless ferocity in battle. Most Germans would rather have faced anything else than a troop of Canadians on the attack. I visited Vimy in 2019, and it was one the most moving experiences of my life. The monument is stunning, and the trenches and tunnels that have been preserved are surreal. It was amazing to think that 102 years before, the Allies and Germans were in those trenches shooting at each other, only 30 meters apart. I'm so grateful I've never had to experience that for myself. To all soldiers who have ever defended democracy and freedom: THANK YOU ❤

[@vampfashions]

The rep of the Canadians with the Germans was also tied directly to some "winning strategy" that was later reclassified as "atrocities" and for which later Geneva Conventions were written. We were there to win, and hadn't spent generations in "Admiral & General school" learning about "fair play and niceties."

[@cactuscanuck6802]

@vampfashions Indeed, we were there to win, and that's exactly what happened so many times. I believe it would be fair to say that Canadian troops pioneered some of the earliest spec ops techniques, albeit in an extremely unofficial manner. Stealthy, small units sent under darkness with NO backup to silently eliminate the enemy holding a position, using nothing more than a combat knife while keeping the enemy silent on his way to the ground. I could expand on this, but I'll save the space - anyone who's read Brad Thor or Richard Marcinko novels will know exactly what I'm referring to.

[@timothyboles3009]

The Battle of Vimy Ridge helped establish Canada as a world power. The Canadian Corp fearlessly accomplished what other much greater allied nations could not. Despite extensive prep and the use of innovative techniques, such as the rolling barrage, Canadians suffered great casualties but achieved the impossible. Most Canadians are kind, gentle and polite until threatened and handed a British .303.

[@eggbertfarnsworth5787]

My grandfather joined up in 1916 when he was 17. He also served in WW2. Makes me proud of him and to be a Canadian.

[@joshodell6703]

Total badass and something to be extremely proud of.

[@grumpycanadiangrandma7990]

my grandfather also joined up for both wars. for ww2 my dad also served

[@warrenmatheson8243]

Both of my grandfathers fought in this battle Both survived Neither one wanted to share what happened and took their stories with them to the grave

[@GreenGrasshoppa]

❤🍁 My great uncle was the same. Never a word.

[@wendymartin6853]

Both of my grandfathers fought this battle also and both came home They never talked about it

[@dickmanson2081]

Same here. And both of my grandfathers never breathed a word about the war either. Not all that surprising, knowing what we now understand about PTSD. Honor to your granddads and your family.

[@maureenwood5952]

Don’t mess with Canadians.

[@lisapeart]

That's right!

[@airborne63]

The Geneva Convention was written because of how Canadians fought WW1. My Father, a WW2 Sergeant-Major.....called them "The Geneva Suggestions"....

[@stephenpaquet]

@@airborne63 my grandfather told me that they were not to take prisoners, as they would only end up eating their rations. Plus, Canadians hated the Germans with every fibre of they’re being after the gas attacks. They gunned down all the Germans on Christmas Day, who came out to drink with them.😬

[@ProjectStrum]

Yet here we are hostages for the last 9 yrs to our puppet government .The Canadian you speak of needs to wake up as a nation asap.

[@vampfashions]

Could someone forward this comment along to the incoming USA Administration with a sub head of: "Response to tariff proposals.."

[@JosephMelesh]

Love your channel Tyler and what you are trying to do! Please keep it up!!! 🇨🇦 Just a little snippet worth a read. “The Quiet Neighbour…” … a lesson about Canadians for our American neighboours. Canada is a nation that does not feel the need to constantly brag and boast about our accomplishments. Nor are we a nation of ‘Flag Wavers,’ desperately in need of self-reassurance of our status and accomplishments in ANY field. On the surface, we appear to be the “polite and quiet neighbour.” Do not confuse our politeness with passivity. Others have, and we have, time and time again been forced to correct their error. During WWI, for example, after the Battle of Somme, the term ‘Stormtrooper,’ was how the Canadian forces wefre described by the German military. The ‘Sturmtruppen,’ with their speed, ferocity and next-level brutality, invoked fear in the hearts and minds of the German soldiers. After the Christmas Truce of 1914, prior to Canada entering the war en-masse in 1915, the actions of our forces changed forever the definition of ‘The Christmas Truce.’ This was NOT one of our country’s most shining moments, but a moment none-the-less, that demonstrates our nation’s and our people’s resolve when facing a bully. The level of brutality and atrocities inflicted on the Germans by our soldiers, so unsuspected, would eventually lead to the creation of the Geneva Convention; a set of rules, boundaries and laws that deal with the ethical treatment of prisoners and conduct during wartime. On D-Day, Canadian forces were the ONLY member of the Allied forces that completed EVERY OBJECTIVE. In more recent history during the 1979-81 hostage crisis at the US Embassy in Tehran, the 444 day crisis and freedom of all the US Embassy Hostages was secured by Canadian Elite Forces who lead a joint intelligence and combat mission. This mission, dubbed “The Canadian Caper” was comprised of cunning, theatrics and espionage on a level Ian Fleming could not have imagined. After their success, the Canadian team were met with thanks and gratitude from President Carter in the Oval Office. Which brings us all to that age old question, “Why is the White House White?” Once again the quiet neighbour woke up and a foreign force would find out what happened when we are pushed too far. At the time of the War of 1812, Canada (Upper Canada as it was known) was a British Colony. Upper Canada and its people were a British Colony loyal to the Crown, but make NO MISTAKE, our forces were defending OUR LAND not a distant monarch. After American forces raided and looted York, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Pt. Dover (located in what is now the Province of Ontario), Major General Robert Ross, an Irish Officer of the British Army and Commander-in-Chief of all forces on the East Coast, his forces quickly dispatched and defeated the poorly organized local militia during the Battle of Bladensburg. Ross’s forces pressed on, invading the US Capital District os Washington DC. The White House was one of many buildings set ablaze in retalliation for the acts in York, Pt. Dover and Niagara-on-the-Lake. The White House was painted white to hide the charring. So why am I writing all of this? Canada is a nation that truly embraces the notion of FREEDOM. Freedom for all, not a selected few. It cannot be purchased. Regardless of race, creed, religion and how one identifies, Canada is an enigma. Many businesses, highly successful in the U.S., floundered and failed in Canada and were sent home, tails between their legs, wondering what happened. Because they tried to operate under the same principles and business models used in the States (Target and Lowes for example). Knowledge is power, and as SO many Americans are quickly discovering, “what is a tarrif,” for example, Mr. Trump and his advisors should dig very deep, and do some very strong research. We are a nation that has never started a war. We have however, NEVER lost one. Of ALL the G7 member nations Canada enjoys the highest level of education. As a highly respected member of NATO, the very organization that Mr. Trump has on numerous occasions insulted, demonized and alienated, Canada has MANY friends. Just ask the Dutch which country single-handedly liberated them from Nazi occupation. Canada, we are quiet; our actions when called upon are not. If Mr. Trump for a moment thinks that Canada will bow down, be tarrifed, annexed or bullied in any way, shape or form, quietly as a nation we say, “BRING IT.” -Joseph Melesh

[@TylerBucketYoutube]

Thank you!

[@vampfashions]

@@TylerBucketKZbin As an aside, Canada also happens to be the only country with the technology and the proximity to be able to launch a "sneak attack" on USA, although that would never happen. It would make sense to remember of the 1 million trucks and trains driving around in USA with Canadian license plates, which one may contain the "boom booms" becomes a worry, if some jingoistic morons in the deep state and military industrial complex think "51st State sound interesting..." Hey, lets just sit down and have some beer and poutine and watch the World Juniors Hockey Championships dear friends.

[@TheRealAaronSmith]

Very well said. Freedom is, and likely always will be, paid in blood, not coin.

[@lauriegunn9636]

I have read that the Canadian soldiers were the best trained in the world wars, but didn't really understand how that was since most were volunteers and pretty much sent across the pond right away. Now I understand that a bit more. RIP and Thank-you.

[@TheJimprez]

I get that 99% of Americans think that they are the only good army on the planet... However, Canada invented a LOT of the techniques that everybody uses now... - Creeping or Crawling artillery barrages, that moves forward at the same tempo as the troops to create a wall of protection for them and push the enemy back. - Sneak night attacks with camouflage and noise tampering clothing and kit. - Improvised trench weapons and explosives. - Taking prisoners only when the situation allows. - The I DON'T GIVE A F! attitude that not many people can imitate, mixed with the DON'T HIRT CIVILIANS mantra. And the phrase... "It isn't a war crime the first time!"... I think WE were the reason for a lot of the Geneva Convention treaty rules... (It was created in the 1800s, but there were new additions in 1909, 1929 and 1949) Beware the quiet ones... I always tell people. people who always tell everybody they are the best, most often aren't...

[@DROK278]

100%

[@ThePatrix1879]

We are also the reason that the Geneva Convention was ratified, becaue we did not take prisoners of war, we would make examples out of each soldiers we captured. Trump will find out if he ever tries to annex us. The quiet ones are the ones to be afraid of.

[@CoreyAWalton]

Canada is my favourite country. Canada is my country. This is a great channel that children in the U.S. of A. could also learn a great deal from.

[@alexkilgour1328]

Vimy Ridge is hugely significant not just as a strategic victory, but as a moment which turned the new country into a true nation. A soldier commented "We went up Vimy Ridge as Albertans and Nova Scotians. We came down as Canadians." Throughout the war, the military doctrine of the day called for an artillery barrage followed by a human wave assault of infantry after the artillery softened up the target. See the Battle of the Somme for an example of how that didn't work well. The Canadians implemented a new strategy called a Creeping Barrage, where the artillery fired their rounds progressively forward and the infantry followed behind. This required careful training and precise timing, also trust by the infantry that their own artillery wouldn’t drop rounds short, onto their own heads.

[@cubangal1]

OMG I love that quote.....so proud of my countrymen.....heroes all

[@thegeekyfeline]

Vimy is also where the idea of platoon style warfare was implemented - they didn’t require orders from behind the lines to make key decisions once the creeping barrage started, which ensured quicker movement forward and ultimately victory. It’s fascinating to see just how much change came from a single battle - and how most of the world doesn’t even know of such a pivotal battle aside from Canadians 😅

[@James-zg2nl]

The creeping barrage as a concept was not new at Vimy Ridge. You are quoting a myth. This concept goes back over 100 years before the Great War. Canada only perfected it based of French techniques and developed it further with additional techniques to make it more effective and more reliable, and Canada was the first to make it a unified standard across all divisions… as opposed to the French we copied it from where only 1 general was using it effectively at the time.

[@alexkilgour1328]

@@James-zg2nl if you read what I wrote, I said they implemented a new strategy. I didn't say "they developed a new strategy".

[@James-zg2nl]

@@alexkilgour1328 you said “the Canadians implemented a new strategy called a creeping barrage”… that is a false statement.

[@NewfieBullett]

4:00. Sir Arthur Currie, our General, was ahead of his time.

[@robertmccardle5113]

Sir Arthur did his homework . He actually cared about his men.

[@dearthworm]

I visited Vimy Ridge and the Memorial about 25 years ago and took the trench tour. One thing I recall from the tour was it was one of the first times that military commanders brought intelligence down to the low level commanders and individual soldiers. Up to that point in time, intelligence was held by the commanders, and the officers basically told the fighting men, "run in that direction with your gun and shoot any enemies you see". The Canadian commanders saw the value in having all the war fighters understand the battlescape. They issued detailed maps to low level commanders to review with the troops, and trained with that land form replica so the individual soldiers had a mental image of the terrain - where the German trenches were, where any obstacles were, where their objectives were - so they could move and fight while adapting to unforeseen circumstances and obstacles. The Canadians spent month digging tunnels through the soft chalk from hidden entrances in the rear. The tunnels lead to exits near the German trenches. Thousands of men were packed into the trenches the night before, ready to pour out on command when the attack began.

[@Smallmouthbass]

Very proud Canadian here. Will never forgot. Will never be bullied by external politics. Very aware of whats going on around the world!! Was born in 1971 and learned about Vimy Ridge in early years of school. Did a high school project about the battle. Our military is smaller but smart and fierce.

[@donnaoneil4985]

“Was smart and fierce”;not anymore. A decade plus since Canada has been in international conflict has caused complacency. This with significant cutbacks has decimated our military.

[@cookiemonster6401]

My son and daughter are veterans. The best trained soldiers are Canadian British are a close second Americans have all the toys but aren’t great as soldiers

[@CorrionReap]

​​@@donnaoneil4985 funny alot of other countries spec ops guys list Canadian spec ops as some of the best to work with. Also longest confirmed kill went to a post 2000 canadian spec ops sniper.

[@Keitha-l8w]

On oct 7 2014 the Canadian government sent 69 canadian special forces advisors to Iraq to train the Iraq military on how to fight Isil otherwise known as isis. You don’t hear much about our military on the news, so everyone just thinks Canada’s military is a joke, well until they need the job done fast and right. Our JTF2 is one of the best if not the best terrorism fighting forces out there and why because our military still trains on how to defeat there target before defeating there target.

[@Keitha-l8w]

In 2015 Operation Unifier the canadian military send special forces to Ukraine to train their military. must be why the Ukrainians are giving Putins military such a hard time.

[@karmaMatters123]

Tyler, I respect you so much for not only helping the world learn more about Canada, but also to help educate Canadians…. particularly the younger generations, that know very little about battles….except maybe on their video games. Very proud to be Canadian with Grandfathers that both fought in WWII. 🇨🇦 🌺 🏅 🫡 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇨🇦

[@nancyrafnson4780]

In Winnipeg, we have a park named Vimy Ridge. We also have a street called Valour Road. A little short street where 3 men came from - all 3 received the Victoria Cross. The highest honour in the British Empire.

[@vampfashions]

My Highschool in Edmonton, a few years after I graduated, due to falling enrollment, was reimagined from a standard public high school to be 2/3 military academy & sports academy, and 1/3 ballet school. As such, it is now called Vimy Ridge Academy and is thriving.

[@damonx6109]

Tyler reacted to a Heritage Minute on Valour Road. He won't remember though since he doesn't care about any of this.

[@drprogensteinphp3169]

I grew up at 1248 Valour Road in the West End. My Grandparents bought the home during the early 1950s, and painted it blue. All these years later, and it's still the same colour! They also owned the large home at Honeyman and Broadway. When I was born, my Grandparents moved out of the Valour Road home, and my parents and I moved in, eventually buying the home from my Grandparents. We lived there from 1961-69, by which point we bought a new home in Westwood, St James. My dad's younger sister and her family moved into the Valour Road home in 1969, and raised their family into the early 1980s. Grandpa enlisted when he was 28 years old, and spent 3 years overseas with The Royal Canadian Artillery, 146th Light Anti Aircraft Regiment 4th Division as a Gunner. The majority of his time was spent in The Netherlands, Belgium, and the UK. Grandpa passed away in 1968 at the age of 56, heart attack. I remember my dad telling me how my grandfather would always have nightmares, and shell shock, aka PTSD. There was also Vimy Hockey Arena, and I remember playing hockey there during the early 1970s. Pretty sure it's torn down now. In 1973 Bobby Hull MC'd one of our tournament Christmas dinners. I still have his autographed photo, end timetable of events pamphlet from the dinner. My dad was our coach, and got up to speak with Bobby Hull.

[@jeremythornton433]

A very proud 5th generation Canadian here. A casualty is an injured soldier. Not a dead one. My grandfather fought and survived Vimy. As well as Pashendale, and Ypres. He didn't like to talk about it. The Canadians were pretty much the fiercest soldiers in that war. In fact, in every war we've been in, we've never lost. Not many can say that.

[@crowfoot1199]

Actually, the term casualty does include killed. It refers to killed, wounded, missing, taken prisoner - anything that means they can't fight the next day. There's a couple of vets here in the comments that confirm this. Cheers.

[@philstabler]

No it’s wasn’t it was Bulgaria 1913 and the British first used it the creeping barrage in 1916 in the battle of the Somme fool ffs.

[@cherylsibson2529]

Back in the 1950's -1960's after the first TV's came out, Canadians had watched Remembrance Day specials year to year, in the news, we had to listen and hear about the different battles Canada from Rememberance Day as well. Canada had been involved with, Vimy Ridge, Normandy were the two most mentioned, the history and stories hadn't changed. Two of my uncles had been in WW2. I think due to what was going on in Britain and in Europe, which is why they came to Canada and to the United States in 1917 and onwards. Wars were the most reason why people left to leave to get away from Britain, and France, and came to Canada to make new memories on new land, because the memories for them, where difficult, they didn't have the names or the phycology PSTD and didn't have the medical advancements as they do have now.Before World War II, health care in Canada was, for the most part, privately delivered and funded. In 1947, the government of Saskatchewan introduced a province-wide, universal hospital care plan. By 1950, both British Columbia and Alberta had similar plans. Thank you Tyler for telling our stories. It also was the time insurance companies were earning enough to build hospitals in different parts of Canada.

[@noadlor]

Tyler, in case you didn't know, William Shatner is Canadian. Most Canadians know about Vimy Ridge. Our city even has a park named after it.

[@cherylmosher6026]

Learned about Vimy Ridge in elementary school in junction in the lessons around Rembrance Day. This was the beginning of the Canadian corp. Lear we forget. 11-11-11

[@ImAfrogQC]

The monument at the end of the video is the Canadian National Vimy Memorial. The names of 11 285 Canadian soldiers who have no known grave are written on it. The 2 pylons represent Canada and France united for peace and freedom and it sits at the highest point of vimy ridge. I believe the land there was also given to Canada.

[@gordstart1773]

Another point that I have not seen mentioned is that this was the first time that Canadian troops were commanded by a Canadian General, Sir Arthur Currie, prior to this Canadian forces were under the command of British Generals. Arthur Currie developed the strategies, such as the creeping barrage, the intensive training prior to the battle and ensuring that all soldiers knew of the battle plans and objectives that allowed them to succeed even if their commanding officers had been killed.

[@0chuklz0]

The video doesn't mention the mining that was done in the prep stage. They dug out huge galleries for explosives and when the attack order went out, they blew them, breaking the line in places and disrupting the defenders positions, not to mention the numbers it killed. This battle, along with the battles at the Somme and Passchendale are significant moments in Canadian history for WWI. Lest We Forget.

[@sac_man9]

Vimy Ridge is a Canadian National Park; after being gifted to Canada by France. I enjoy your show. Thanks bud ✌

[@erinhillmer3251]

I went to visit the Vimy Memorial a few years back. A few others did as well. We met each other proudly and asked which provinces we were from. The Memorial remains pristine white curtosey of Belgian and French volunteers. It stands tall and can be seen from afar. The land it stands on is Canadian, a gift from the French Government. It is the largest monument to a forgien nation on French soil. 😊

[@daveenberg9075]

My Grandfather (16th. Battalion Canadian Scottish) was in the first wave of the attack. " I heard the bag pipes start and I went right for them. I ran right through our rolling barrage. The ground was smoking all around me." He and his best friend (W.J. Milne V.C.) made it to the first objective were he saw his friend hit and killed. " The Scottish were on our right. It was one of their officers that recommended him. My friend Milne was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest award of the British military. I wish I was half as brave as he was. Milne was the best." Shortly afterwards my Grandfather was hit by gunfire and shrapnel. He spends the next six months recovering before he is sent back to the front. Deas Gu Cath

[@14goldmedals]

Thank you for offering up that story.

[@mitchelltyler5972]

The 16th? I know them well. The 79th Cameron Highlanders 1st detachment offered in ww1 went to the 16th to go and fight overseas. They were effectively adopted as Canadian Scottish, but were happy they at least got to stay in a highland regiment. ☺ "Ullahm".

[@SabreT.Renault]

It makes me really happy that there’s a full channel. Where an American learns about Canada, where I was born and raised, and I still live here to this day

[@isador4784]

Some comments, The monument shown at the end is the Canadian Vimy Ridge Monument in France respecting our fallen and accomplishments in WW1. In WW2, hitler gave explicit instructions to his forces, that this monument was to be preserved. Any German found defacing or destroying it would face death. The German's had great respect for the Canadian armed forces because of battles like Vimy Ridge

[@sac_man9]

France gifted Vimy Ridge to Canada; it's now a Canadian National Park. Live free ✌

[@droctorcee-7036]

Been loving all of your content...also learning and/or appreciating more about the amazing country that I've had the privilege of living in for 37+ years. You're welcome up here any time, Tyler!

[@chronicdose]

My great great uncle died in Vimy, his name was James Thomas Dolan; he was 19.

[@TedLittle-yp7uj]

Vimy was the hinge of the German trench system. The Allies could take the trenches but, with the German heavy guns looking down on them from the Ridge, they couldn't hold them. Once Vimy ridge was taken, the whole German defensive set up was compromised.

[@frekihelviti]

This was one of the most fortified locations of the war. We were covering the english northern flank and were expected to fail and die trying to divert german resources from the english postions. So they could break through. Canada planed maticulusly for this and not only survived but took our posistions so fast that the english started shelling our postions thinking we were way farther ahead of where we were expected. Casulties = all wounded njured and killed (stubed toe is a casultie. deaths recorrded seperatly are part of casulties but clarifies wounded to killed ratios) The significance is if we had failed as expected the acceptable casulty figures where much higher than what happened as they expected most or all canadians to die and many more english whos flank we were covering. The first world war is also the birthplace of the first snipers which canada is known for. francis pegahmagabow (an indigiunis canadian) served as a scout, messanger and sniper with 300 confirmed kills and 300 germans captured. Would be an incredible video to see youre opinion on.

[@Rkeogh81]

My great uncle was wounded going over the top at Vimy and was dragged back to a trench where he was left for too long. His leg wound became infected, went gangrenous and his leg had to be amputated. The military told our family that he had lost both his legs and awaited his return home. When he arrived they were very surprised to see him walk off the train. It turned out he had only lost one leg and had a prosthetic made in England.

[@melodybaker458]

Arthur Currie was the Field Commander at Vimy Ridge. When the army base was in Calgary, the barracks were named Currie Barracks. The base is no longer in Calgary.

[@joshgander7240]

My great grandfather lost his foot there.i also served in the canadian navy 2002 -2005. I was in spired by him and all of the men in my family have served also pretty much until me.

[@bww9450]

Canada went up Vimy Ridge as a British colony but came back as a untied country .

[@jackmac2874]

Hahaha, you mean UNITED ! Not untied !

[@lukeamato423]

Both​@@jackmac2874

[@karennotman355]

My step grandfather's brother died on April 12th 1917..I still have his regimental ring and it is very precious to me and my family..I want to go to visit his grave in France to say thank you and that is on the bucket list..Canadian eh !! So proud

[@robertjulianagnel2932]

The Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) was the proper name for our army in WW1. The Germans were mighty afraid of the Canadians after this win calling us storm troopers. The videos and photos are some of the 10,000s taken during WW1, same in WW2, in fact many of the old videos and photos used in Saving Private Ryan were from the Canadian army photo corp. I suppose beating the Americans 1812-1814 was important but this was more significant as we entered the world stage. The United States entered World War I on April 6, 1917. The battle of Vimy Ridge was from April 9-12, 1917. Generals from Canada and Australia changed the way the war was fought and would have replaced the British generals had the war lasted more than 100 days. The Germans realized the soldiers from the British Empire fought harder and with more ferocity than the Brits, French and Germans. The Battle of Passchendaele was Canada's hardest victory more than 4,000 soldiers died in the fighting and almost 12,000 were wounded. WW1 chilling numbers, the Battle of Passchendaele, British and Dominion: 275,000 casualties, including 38,000 Australians, 5,300 New Zealanders and over 15,600 Canadians with German: 220,000 casualties. The Battle at Vimy Ridge previous French and British attempts suffered over 150,000 casualties. Did you know the American Army brought the Spanish Flu to European in WW1 and that 24,664 American soldiers died from the flu while 53,402 soldiers died in battle in less than six months of fighting.

[@richardsaumier9948]

The Germans were afraid of Canadians because we were brutal towards them and committed the first recorded war crimes. The reason the Geneva convention exists is because the other countries wanted to force Canada away for the many brutal acts we do in war.

[@timexgirl]

This comment should be boosted

[@kal_q_l8r]

A very important fact left out was prior to this battle canon fire was random, they knew approximately where they would land but only generally. A Canadian figured out the math and bombing became more precise which enabled the "creeping barrage". Canada walked behind the barrage and was able to take positions before the German came out of hiding which was the main reason Vimy Ridge was taken.

[@retrogamer82]

Our military might not be as large as other countries but most would agree that you wouldn’t want to face Canadians on the battlefield

[@airborne63]

Most of the Canadians killed in Afghanistan in the first few years, were killed by American "cowboys" who 'spray and pray" when they shoot. EVERY Canadian has a scope on their C7 rifle, to KNOW what they're shooting at.

[@kevincooper5920]

Vimy ridge was also the highest point in the area. Very significant piece of ground. As a few have mentioned we went up as colonists and came down as Canadians. It was also the first time that all Canadian soldiers fought as 1 corp, before this battle we were separated. By the end of the war, Canadian forces were considered the premier shock troops.

[@mass4552]

It was Canadas first major victory in ww1. The Canadians developed the creeping barrage which was used to great effect during this victory. It seems that during both world wars that Canadians were used as cannon fodder for battles that were deemed unwinnable yet they seemed to rise above what was expected and performed beyond expectations.

[@leplafamily2975]

Yes, we were cannon fodder. And entered both WWI and WWII at the beginning

[@roberthowell7095]

You can all other Commonwealth countries who felt the British used them as cannon fodder.

[@haroldtwilson]

Until Vimy, Canadians were seen as appendages of Great Britain. My history teacher, who had served in WWI, said that was the day that Canada as a separate and distinct nation, was born. Born in the horrors of war.

[@DROK278]

We were doing this well before WW1, names aside, 1812 was the year we said naw England, were different from you as a nation. WW1 just drove that point home same as WW2. Why you think we have this silent f off towards English Government/Canadian Government even today, England knows will fight em over this place and win. Edit: Unless they nuke us that is... Seriously though I'm more worried about the US eyeing us up these days lol

[@GPatch]

9:57 they have not exactly got to the part yet so I don’t know if they’re going to cover it, but you should look up “creeping barrage” if they cover it later in the video, I’m sorry for explaining it here, but this was the tactic Canada invented to be able to take Vinny Ridge, where we shot our artillery directly in front of our own men while they marched at a certain speed so that they didn’t end up in the explosions. This made it impossible for anybody to really be standing in front of them and they had to keep retreating and running or be killed by the bar and if they survived the bar, there was a whole force of Canadians coming up right behind it where they didn’t have a chance to recover. This was a very ingenious military tactic invented by Canadians . We don’t just create war crimes

[@bienerbina4555]

After seeing the video & reading the comments, I appreciate my fellow Canadians' knowledge of our history and their anecdotes of Grandfathers & and uncles, (etc.) experiences & bravery. My father, though too young to have seen war as a military man, was stationed at different bases in Germany in the 50s, 60s.and again in the 70s. He was stationed in Lahr when I was a teenager. The high school on base would take advantage of being in Germany and take us on really neat & educational field trips. One trip, was to Vimy Ridge. There we re-enacted the charge up the hill. Throughout my time there, we visited several important WW sites, getting a chance to see our history through the ruined bunkers, museums & monuments. It was a privilege to stand in the places where Canadians came together to fight for freedom and in doing so became united as a true Sovereign Country.

[@Stewart682]

Most Brits haven't heard of it either. It was part of the larger Battle of Arras. It was the first time all four Canadian divisions fought together instead of just being four random divisions in the British army. Canada had no choice on entering WWI since we were a British Colony but because of Vimy we signed the Treaty of Versailles as an independent country.

[@marshallbowen8693]

After Vimy the Canadian Army faught the rest of the war as a unit. From Vimy to Mons in November 1918 they never lost a battle. My grandfather was at Vimy Ridge and managed to survive with the rest of the Canadian Army until the end.

[@Stewart682]

@@marshallbowen8693 Exactly so!!

[@liveandwrite]

My grandfather worked an artillery cannon at Vimy. Only times I heard him talk about it was when he mentioned the stress of getting the timing right, and then his voice just trailed off. Couldn't finish the thought out loud.

[@netgnostic1627]

Important to realize, at that time of morning in the winter, it's very dark. There was a heavy fog as well. My grandfather described laying down on the ground so they could see the boots through the clear air layer. They knew the difference between the Canadian and German boots so they knew where to shoot.

[@jenniferlindsey2015]

There is a miniature of the Vimy Ridge Monument at the Communications and Electronics Museum at CFB Kingston. Open to the public. My Grandfather lost both of his knees there. He spent his life raising money for orthopaedics at a local hospital. Building the C&E museum was his last pet project. His wake was held in front of the monument at the museum and his service was on base. Afterwards, he was carried by gun carriage back to the museum for his trip to the cemetery to join his wife, and my mother. The reception was held back on base at the Officer’s Mess Hall. Being a Captain for 50 years, they eventually made him a Hon. Colonel about a decade or so before his death. He made the front page of the local Newspaper that day. He’s even on Wikipedia! William James Henderson. He made his fortune in real estate (Grandma’s idea). And his Billions were left in trust for the local hospitals.

[@ms-literary6320]

Vimy Ridge is still heavily mined. They have small electric fences along the sidewalk so you don’t accidentally wander onto the grass. There’s also a sign that says “No Picnicking.” Just in case that wasn’t clear. I’ve been to Vimy Ridge. Sometimes in WWI they would call something a hill and it was actually a slope. Vimy was a *ridge* ridge. You want to take the high ground (even a slope) because it’s an advantage. It’s harder to fight uphill than down, you can see around better on high, and, *crucially* water runs downhill. The guy in the trench at the bottom of the hill is having a different experience than the guy at the top.

[@sac_man9]

The sacrificial grass eating goats were intriguing!

[@edletain385]

The areas that are unsafe are well marked and un-mowed only the sheep go there, no one minds if you blow up a sheep.

[@sac_man9]

@@edletain385 except the sheep!🤣

[@johncowper3499]

Yes, my great grandfather was killed at Finney Ridge. He was hit by a motor. After he returned from a trench warfare and captured a whole bunch of enemy soldiers and did bring them back. His bravery moved him up I rank before he passed away. And I have the letter they sent home that He had died.

[@Vegas2332]

From what I remember learning in history class, Vimy Ridge was a big deal, because it was seen as basically impenetrable by our allies. For Canadian's specifically, it was a big deal, because it changed how Canada was seen on the international stage. It helped change Canada's image of being just another British colony to a country with more of it's own presence on the world stage.

[@avenged7peep958]

The Canadian military was feared during both WW1 and WW2. We completed almost every objective with great success (for example: on D Day, Juno Beach was very well defended but we advanced further and faster than the other beaches

[@isador4784]

The attack was a coordinated attack known as a "rolling artillery" plan. The artillery fire was to land as close as 100 feet from the advancing troops. This was to cut barbed wire, put up a dust screen for the advancing troops and to clear out any Germans in fox holes. The British had tried this earlier in their campaign, but did not have the practice that the Canadians did and ended up killing a lot of their own The ground troops had to advance at a pre-determined pace to make sure they did not out run the guns, or like the British, they would have been slaughtered by both sides.

[@sac_man9]

I think Rolling Artillery was a Canadian innovation. Not at this site, but generally. Live free ✌

[@pollardmchdea]

The ridge is one of the few high points on the salient. We took the ridge with less men and with less casualties than both forces. It was also a big reveal of the common tactic used later the rolling barrage. Casualty means wounded and killed.

[@hufflepunkslitherclaw7436]

I wrote an essay on Vimy for my History 12 class. Now, this was a WHILE AGO for me, but from what I remember the English were using archaic battle tactics to try to fight the Germans, and they were being decimated because of the new technology of the machine guns and artillery. Canada was still a common wealth country, so we didn't choose to enter this war, we were automatically at war when the British declared war. Anywyas, the Brits were being mowed down by these high powered guns becuase they were charging in with cavalry formations. The Canadians developed new strategies, such as a timed, patterned walk to defeat the rolling barage of automatic gunfire. Their victory was so decisive that it was used as leverage for Canadian sovereignty from the British.

[@StreetLugeNetwork]

I visited the site a couple years ago. While we (myself a Canadian with 2 brits) were driving into the site and i had a strange feeling ... like the environment was fimmilar. After the tour i found out why. After the war when Canadians came to clean out the site for the memorial they planted Canadian trees (maple, birtch ect) so that the ghosts of the dead would feel more at home. They very much succeeded.... it feels like a little peice of canada in the middle of france... and the french government agreed and the french people were so grateful for the sacrifice that they have given this peice of France to Canada.

[@davekeeler7130]

My great grandfather was in that attack, he took shrapnel in his leg. Shrapnel was festering out of his leg until he passed. His story was amazing and intense. My family is very proud of this one giant accomplishment. He was from the lake district of England, in a Canadian uniform. That is true

[@chrisladouceur4093]

Wish the video talked more about the tactics used in taking the ridge. That was a significant part of the battle. It was innovative and Canadians pioneered it and proved the effectiveness for the first time. Also breaking through Vimy ridge WAS the moment of breaking the western line. All prior attempts at failed, not just at Vimy, but along the entire region. It was an incredibly significant battle in the war and was extremely time sensitive

[@canoedoctor]

Vimy ridge is the high ground between France and the lowland countries of Belgium and The Netherlands. Taking the ridge was the breakthrough of the German defense lines providing access behind the lines and into the industrialized lowland countries

[@Migmaw]

Tyler in every theater of combat, the infantry holding the high ground is at an advantage, thats all Viny was, was an advantageous hill that gave the Germans a clear view for miles in 3 directions. In the Kirean war hills were given numbers and it was the U.N forces mission to take those hills and keep them while taking others so the enemy couldn't establish dominance. Vimy was the first battle that Canadians planned and took part in with Canadian commanders. It was also the start of a military maneuver called the marching barrage where artillery fired just ahead of Canadian infantry advancing on the hill. Stay blessed 👊🏼

[@Lonewolf007-e5i]

Ty so much for sharing this video on behalf of all Canadians,,especially my family ,,lost both my great grandfathers and and uncle to win vimy ridge,, Sincerely Lonewolf

[@RayEvans-j1q]

I live near a seniors residence which is located next to a brand new bridge! The seniors started calling it Vimy Bridge and now that is its official name!

[@rusticfox4283]

Vimy ridge was of critical strategic importance to further operations. Vimy ridge was a commanding position over looking the Douai plain, a vital industrial and transportation hub also had great views of further fortifications. For a tactical perspective more ground , prisoners and guns where captured than in the previous BEF offensive on Vimy

[@netgnostic1627]

My grandfather was a Sarjeant at that battle. Luckily, he lived to tell the tale. I wish I had heard him tell more stories about the war. He got gassed in the war, and had only one functional lung. He passed away at age 80 in 1972, when I was 12.

[@ThursdayNext67]

My great uncle fought at and survived Vimy Ridge. Afterwards, he asked for, and got, a transfer to the Royal Flying Corps. He was sent to Italy and was shot down in one of his first flights. RIP uncle Doug.

[@AlisonBruce]

FYI, film not video. Some might have been released for News Reels shown to the public in cinemas. Taking Vimy Ridge was about taking the high ground and having the advantage over the enemy.

[@TracyKettering]

My Great Uncle lived through Vimy Ridge.He died in battle after that.Never came home.I have his Medals.

[@mom-ski-doodle657]

I have done the pilgrimage to Vimy Ridge and received a medal for it. It is where you can see the “first” maple leaf carved into the trench.

[@MommaBadger67]

My grandfather fought at Vimy, never spoke about it, even to my father, but taught me highly sanitized versions of the army songs from the time😅

[@rogercrites8945]

Our family visited the Vimy Ridge memorial in France on Canada Day, 2010. Breathtaking and truly humbling. 🇨🇦

[@brianbowser9590]

Tyler thank you for doing these videos. As a veteran it is reassuring to know that this information is being seen. Far too often I’ve had the displeasure of being viewed as somewhat lesser than those of the United States. There is a great amount of pride in Canada and what we’ve accomplished unfortunately it’s not well known again thank you.

[@mr.2cents.846]

America likes to see Canada as lesser. As its little sister. Yet they became so afraid of what Canada could become that they neutered us when we build the Avro Arrow.

[@mhorgrimm]

The monument is significant itself too - the land was granted by France to Canada, the craters are preserved (and there is still live ammo buried), some of the trenches are preserved, and years ago if you were a Canadian visiting sometimes you could visit the tunnels. When WWII erupted news that the monument might have been damaged prompted the Germans/Hitler to respond to show that the monument was untouched (apparently Hitler like the monument's aesthetics and symbolism - it shows a country mourning the loss and cost, not glorifying in victory). SS guards were placed around the monument to protect it from damage, and Hitler and the general staff toured it in 1940 and pictures were provided to the media to show it's undamaged state and that it was respected.

[@einarquay]

Tyler, everyone else failed to capture Vimy. They volunteered for the attack, on our terms (Canadian Here, great uncle was there)

[@kv4hate957]

A quote from this time that has always stuck with me from the battle, it went along the lines of of a German captured before the battle “the Canadians may be able to reach the top of the ridge but they will be sent back in the rowboat that got here” not exactly it but along the lines of that…wish I could find the exact quote

[@nicoracien1924]

My wife got a moose last year with my great grandfather's .303 Lee Enfield ( 1914) from WW1. On anoither subject, there is a town named Vimy Ridge in Canada

[@JohnSmith-fh2mv]

To put the accomplishment of the Canadian Corp taking Vimy ridge into perspective. The allies tried and failed to take the ridge a couple times before with around 150,000 casualties combined between the French and the English. We Canadians took and held all of the ridge with around 10,600 casualties of the 100,000 that were sent.

[@ShawnHCorey]

Don't forget that during WW1, aerial reconnaissance was still in its infancy. Controlling the high ground was important back then, much more so than today.

[@tomsmith5885]

Both of my grandfathers were in the Canadian Corps at Vimy. My father’s father was severely injured and spent a year in hospital. He did live well into his 80s. My mother’s father survived Vimy, but a few months later was injured at another battle you should investigate, Passchendaele. That was the first major battle where the Canadian Corps was commanded by a Canadian General. The overall Commander at Vimy was British. Canadian General Arthur Currie replaced the British General Byng just after Vimy.

[@collanlucier698]

I've got my great Uncle's print, ghosts of Vimy Ridge, hanging on my wall and had the opportunity to talk to him before he passed away. It was brutal, beyond words brutal

[@IronWarhorsesFun]

one of the most brutal facts most people even Canadians don't know about this battle: 2 weeks before the attack, we started a indirect machine-gun barrage against the German supply roads that fed Vimy Ridge. the hail of lead rain was so intense that they could not bring up food or ammo and the front German positions where literally starving to death when our engineers blew the earth plugs concealing the attack tunnels exits only 300 meters from their positions. YA. I watched a frankly much better documentary then this that told the story much more intimately from both sides and it drove me to tears becasue the horrific conditions both sides had to endure. Our troops had to do literally everything at night in near total darkness for 6 WHOLE MONTHS. Often working underground in tunnels because the Germans could see clear over the entire place from the ridge. Our guys dug massive underground galleries that held literally thousands of troops, that had attack tunnels that would allow our infantry to come up only 300 meters short of the German trenches instead of walking uphill across over a kilometer of dead ground like everybody else had done. We figured out how the Germans placed their mines and trained in a specific walking pattern that carried most of our infantry over said mines. We distributed maps and made sure every single soldier knew their part of the plan intimately rather then just the officers and NCOs.

[@KenAdams_80ca]

The book "Vimy" by celebrated Canadian author Pierre Berton is one of the best authoritative texts on the lead up to the battle in addition to one of the most descriptive and suspenseful narratives of the battle I've ever read. Regardless of what some historians might say, Vimy Ridge was, and still is, considered by many Canadians to be one of the defining actions that led to Canada achieving (almost) full autonomy from Great Britain. My Great-Grandfather was part of the 2nd Canadian Expeditionary Force at Vimy. My Grandmother said that he didn't talk about the war, at least around family I suppose. Many soldiers who come back from war try to forget what they saw and experienced. I know I wouldn't have that kind of courage.