Vimy Ridge: Craters of the Dead | History Traveler Episode 388

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

⭐️ If you've watched a few episodes and feel like I've earned it, be sure to subscribe so that you don't miss any new content when it comes out. Also be sure to check out The Gettysburg Museum of History and their store at www.gettysburgmuseumofhistory.com. Thanks!

[@ndykes2017]

Love your videos JD, you help to keep these brave men from being forgotten!... watching from the UK

[@StevenFrasher]

Thanks for this thorough look at this pivotal but little-known battle. It's always seemed sad to me that, for all the regimental wording put on British/Canadian war headstones, they do not memorialize the first names of these brave individuals -- only initials.

[@AaronMeaserProductions]

My great - great - grandfather, Sgt Angus Roderick McNeil from Nova Scotia, served with the 85th Highlanders. He died on September 2nd, 1918, while breaking through the Drocourt-Quéant Line. He is buried in the Dury Mill cemetery. Thank you for doing this series, it's incredible to hear about the things he might have experienced.

[@GlasgowCeltic88]

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.

[@GuyRips-k4j]

Yes,my great grandfather,,,from Maine,,was there,,they found,art left from nova Scotia,Maine,in tunnels

[@jamesbodnarchuk3322]

Respect to your great great grandfather and the many more whom sacrifices led to the end of the wars to end all wars❤🇨🇦🇬🇧🇺🇸

[@marknicholson6562]

@@GlasgowCeltic88we will remember

[@marknicholson6562]

My great grandfather was in the 58th battalion CEF (3rd division) got his regimental diary and his war record front the Canadian government and followed his journey from Ypres , mount sorrell and the Somme. If you get your great great grandfathers war records it’s such an eye opener

[@brianjohnston413]

Thumbs up if you love this channel!!!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👊🏻

[@jaycrawford1284]

JD, I've been following your channel for 4 years. I'm a Canadian, and I'm very grateful your doing a mini series about Canada and WWI. The Vimy sector I give nothing but props to you thank you very much. It's an amazing series so far

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you. That really means a lot. I have a great deal of admiration for what the Canadians accomplished in WWI and WWII. Hope that you'll share this out with some of your fellow Canadians. :)

[@jaycrawford1284]

@@TheHistoryUnderground from watching your videos from the American civil war, and fanous battles like antitem and gettysburg, I've learnt alot myself about American history as well. I will always follow your videos and I indeed will pass this series of arras to other fellow Canadians and friends. I think to at Vimy, there was a regina regiment that was in one of the Canadian corps. I'm from Saskatchewan. Regina well is the capital of my province. Overall though your doing an excellent job of your videos. 🙏

[@jaycrawford1284]

Another interesting fact I don't think you know about. In the episode when you were at the memorial, you said the Canadians got a nickname and Germans called them shock troops. At Pachendale, the Germans gave the Canadians the name storm troops

[@swami1]

I’m an American and you’re right-we don’t know too much about Canada’s contributions in the world wars. Your Vimy video is fascinating. The thing that jumped out at me was how close the trenches were to each other. You could literally look the enemy right in the eye. The sacrifices they made for freedom can never be appreciated enough.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Completely wild.

[@MC14may]

One of the best history channels on KZbin. Love a passionate narrator who knows his stuff

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

@@MC14may thanks!

[@zacharyb3991]

Agreed! Even how he narrates is spot on. Love this channel!

[@twowheelz4life205]

I'm loving this series! I'm American and I am riveted to hearing about what our brothers and sisters to the north have been through. Lest we forget!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🇨🇦

[@gordrichards2488]

Thank you for taking an interest in Canada’s role. We have a very rich military history here and being a small country population wise almost every family at that time contributed. Both my grandfathers were in WW1 fighting for Canada and my father, 5 Uncles and an Aunt all served in WW2.

[@sabrinafakkeldy3460]

i LOVE all these history videos. loved learning about this in high school and I'm 33 now and all of this still fascinates me. there is always something new to learn. I'm a proud Canadian. rip to all of our soldiers and hero's

[@boomerang9967]

As a Canadian I really appreciate your coverage. My wife and I have visited Vimy Ridge. It is a really sobering experience. Every Canadian should visit it.

[@B_Rh_Neg]

Love that you’re doing videos on Canada’s contribution to the Great War !!! Least we forget 🇨🇦🌺

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Amazing soldiers. I'd rank them among the best in WWI.

[@skimmer8774]

It sure makes a huge difference when you know something about the person buried there. Thanks for sharing that.

[@mpol12]

You undoubtly know them but for mines war and craters, you must visit Vaucquois and The Eparges ridge. Absolutly amazing and terrific places.

[@kwm123123]

Thanks, JD, for another awesome video! I appreciate everything that you put into these episodes. Always top-notch! I've been following you since around Episode 66 regarding the Battle of Franklin Tennessee (which is near and dear to me). Thanks again, and God bless.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you like them!

[@dww2006]

🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦 I love the history you share. As a proud Canadian this battle was one of the topics of history when in high school and having had the privilege of visiting the Vimy Monument site when I was 17, 49 years ago. Thanks for profiling this monument and reminding people of the valuable contributions of Canadians in WW1. 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@trentfram7323]

Thank you for sharing a bit of my country’s history Canadians are often forgotten about in the world wars but in reality just as many Canadians came to the call to arms as Americans in both world wars we are talking millions of Canadians served in these wars not just a couple thousand Millions. Many never made it home and their contribution to securing our freedoms should never be forgotten these were men of honour.

[@darrenmurray1885]

Thank you sir, great narration and and incredibly informative.

[@ryanaines6617]

I got literal goosebumps watching the intro to this, thx JD for all the great episodes on Vimy 🇨🇦

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you. Appreciate that.

[@OldFrontLine]

Thanks for that kind mention, JD. Really enjoying this Vimy content!

[@marykrueger6039]

Another fascinating video and story. History is very interesting indeed. Thank you for reminding us all. And let us never forget

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks.

[@vic505509]

Love the channel

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@josiahlovett4333]

I love this specific content in this video , this is why I love your channel, you do such a great job! Rip !

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

I appreciate that!

[@Wiccanglen]

Brilliant as always. Thank you, JD.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@xTraculx]

Favorite series so far! Every 3rd Generation Forgets...Its people like you, JD who remind us! Thank you!

[@simon112]

Thanks JD you pay honor and respect to all the comonweath men who fought and died in the great war and the French and American should All be rememberd to, thank you sir.

[@grahamanderson7717]

I am a fan of your Chanel . I am grateful you are covering Canada’ s involvement in the Great War and honouring our soldiers Thank you ! 🇨🇦

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! So glad that you're enjoying the content.

[@NOTBOBROBERTS]

One thing I found odd about Lichfield was there was no visitor's guestbook to sign. Every other Commonwealth War Grave Cemetery has a guestbook, generally at the entrance, but we could find no book to sign. Not to be pedantic, but your American Medal of Honor emulates our Victoria Cross. Thr Victoria Cross was first created in 1856 whereas the Medal of Honor was first awarded on 1862. Since its inception, 1358 VC's have been awarded to 1355 recipients, 99 of them Canadian.

[@Kampfwageneer]

RIP just kids man.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Awful.

[@Kampfwageneer]

@@TheHistoryUnderground and the bastards want to try it again better not!

[@ifanai]

Walked the battlefields of Australian Battles, very somber as I visited my Great grand fathers grave, we were not able to visit Vimmy Ridge,

[@Caneandunable]

These videos with the Hadrians walls ones have just been fantastic. Great watches 👍

[@ahalstead40]

Love your videos!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you like them! Thank you.

[@stevenwright9594]

Thanks so much for the episodes on Vimy Ridge, JD! I had an ancestor who served in the 51st Highlanders who was killed there. His boy was never identified and his name is on the monument.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Oh wow. Thanks for sharing that.

[@jimirvine763]

Hi JD. Great work. Thanks for doing these exposes of Canada's battlefield histories.

[@jeanineking7311]

Every aspect of this channel is fantastic; the information, the presentation, and the bringing to life the people of long ago. thank you

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you!

[@nathanielhind8989]

Great job yet again. Truly appreciate your hard work and dedication to all the videos y’all make. Thank you for helping keep history alive and available for us and our children.

[@cal9064]

Thoroughly enjoy this series. Thanks for sharing your experience and insights. Our family had several members who served during WW 1. Including one awarded the Victoria Cross. Another...My great-uncle Hugh, served with 16th Battalion ( the Canadian Scottish) and was one of the Pipers who led off the attack on Vimy Ridge, the morning of April 9, 1917. His story is only one of many thousands recounted that day. I visited Vimy Ridge, some years ago. Part of the tour included the start off point for the 16th Battalion's assault on the Ridge. Standing there and looking across that broad expanse of sunny crop land, with the Ridge merely a distant swelling on the horizon. Then, trying to imagine how it appeared to Hugh and the troops advancing behind him, was a humbling experience. The courage and determination it took for those brave young men to struggle all the way to the Ridge under intense enemy fire....nearly a mile distant , seems nearly incomprehensible. Yet they did. Then, took the Ridge. It has been said that Canada became a Nation, at Vimy Ridge. Looking down from its heights, it isn't hard to imagine. Footnote: Of the 16th Battalion's 17 Pipers who landed in Flanders in 1915, Uncle Hugh was one of only three who survived the Great War. He rarely if ever, spoke of his experiences.

[@stuartphillips2686]

JD, another excellent and outstanding YT video.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks again!

[@TribeTaz]

Another outstanding video, JD.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@darelbrewster]

I learn a lot from your videos much love from newzealand hopefully we see a video on gallipolii

[@Hobbitma]

Love the WW1 videos. So much to learn…

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@brianalbrecht3914]

There were Russian units serving on the Western Front. After the revolution many did not want to return to Russia. You might not recognize these units as they were usually equipped with French gear.

[@JuleyC]

Came here just to say that.

[@brianalbrecht3914]

@JuleyC I was trying to help J D figure out why there was a Russian soldier in the cemetary.

[@JuleyC]

@@brianalbrecht3914 Oh yes, I meant I had come here to say that and say you had beat me to it :)

[@brianalbrecht3914]

@@JuleyC lol

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Interesting.

[@roncampbell1678]

From a Canadian thank you for covering our greatest battle we are known for

[@marknicholson6562]

Did you go in the tunnels under Vimy ridge? I went there on a school trip in the 1980s. The soldiers were just 1 or 2 years older than us and carved their names int he chalk walls. History coming alive

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Yep! You can see it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpvZdHaZpr6ChpI

[@lotsofcases6522]

My great-grandfather's youngest brother was killed at Vimy. He was unmarried so we the descendants of his siblings do the remembering. At least he is not one of those with no known grave, listed on the Vimy Memorial, he is buried in the La Chaudiere cemetery.

[@grahamhollingworth8253]

I had the great pleasure of meeting Paul Reed several years ago, there's not a man I've ever known or met that knows more about the Western Front than Paul.

[@terryeustice5399]

Thanks for sharing JD another great video on Vimy Ridge. And surrounding area and the Litchfield Crater burials. 💯💕👊👍

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you.

[@NDB469]

Those craters are insane, very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@terryzanger7152]

Thanks!

[@tod2992]

Lol. You didn't get a thank you 😮

[@ronbirchard5262]

thank you for doing this video and sharing it with everyone

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching!

[@la_old_salt2241]

Thanks for sharing JD. God bless, Rob

[@vaughnbluejr5960]

All I can say is Wow & thank you so much for this series.

[@bradhood9080]

Driving through the mud heading to Lichfield crator gives an insight into what the battlefield would look like during the battle for Vimy Ridge. After mass bombardments the whole area was a quagmire.

[@buddyhenson2559]

Your work is so well done. Thank you!

[@dougwatt6303]

Thanks for sharing. Greetings from Alberta, Canada!

[@bobhanson6586]

Beautifully shot drone footage. Quality production all the way. If you go back, some suggested spots that we found to be impactful and with interesting storylines - Lochnahar crater, largest known of the mine craters - The story and use of the Levins projector. First use of flamethrower Technology on a large scale - The Devonshire Trench Heartbreaking - Mont Facon strategic Point battled for over the centuries ( the ancient ruins are stunning). This was the start of the final push by the AEF ( American Expeditionary Force) Near this spot was Americas first real tank battle, one in which a young tank commander named Patton got his start. - Just north of Mont Facon is the newly developing Sgt York site. - The American Cemetery nearby is incredible. The British would bury their dead near the site of each skirmish. So many cemeteries all up and down the line as you mention. The Americans would gather (as best they could) into a single location.

[@bradrobb100]

I am watching your latest video. You showed my great uncle's name in the Zivy Crater. George Buchanan who was in the 18th battalion. He died the first day of the battle at Vimy Ridge.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Oh my goodness. Glad that I happened to show that one.

[@bradrobb100]

@@TheHistoryUnderground My nephew went on a school trip to France and has been the only member of our family to visit Zivy Crater. It would have been around 2006.

[@kevinbovin7856]

My grandfather was there he survived the war and served in ww2...

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Wow!

[@NOTBOBROBERTS]

Wondering when you shot this series of videos on Vimy? My group and I were just there on October 17/18, 2024. We stumbled upon the Lichfield Crater cemetery while trying to get to the Thelus Military Cemetery. There is a Canadian VC buried there. Keep up the great work.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks. I was there back in June.

[@FilipDePreter]

Both of them are on my to-visit-list.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Very interesting places, for sure.

[@Carolyn-s6z]

Really enjoyed Vimy series. Thanks for video

[@philthefriendlyfrog]

As always great job...and thanks for adding Canadian content and your super perspective...Pro Patria

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

I appreciate that! Thanks!

[@fortune-614]

The best channel on UTube. Brilliant JD. My great uncle A&SH was killed in Arras apr 1916. I have all his letters until his death in a forward sap. Can’t believe that Canadians, under Trudeau have forgotten these brave heroes, Vimy, Dieppe, Juno Beach and Passchendale, some of Canada’s finest hours.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

I would disagree that it's the best, but I appreciate the kind words anyway. :)

[@geoffthiessen646]

Yet another great video

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@EstellaBeard]

Wow! I am so impressed with the photos you shared on this episode! The crater reminded me of the crater at Petersburg! But I am positive Petersburg had nothing compared to Vimy explosion!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@camdodge9891]

Thanks JD for another incredible video I am absolutely loving this world war 1 series and keep up the good work JD

[@cdd4248]

Beautiful Cemetery..I love the garden beds. A peaceful resting place.

[@1psychofan]

Just wow JD! I was completely ignorant of these craters!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Pretty interesting.

[@1psychofan]

@@TheHistoryUnderground it really is!!! Just amazing! I need to listen to the Old Front line more. I’ve been working extra shifts and just can’t keep up with so many. (Calmer days are coming)

[@JohnHill-qo3hb]

Nice to see that Canada is getting some notice for a change, all too often Canada is just mentioned in similar documentaries. Canada played an important role in every conflict she has been called to, has done her duty usually above and beyond yet seldom gets mentioned let alone credit for her actions. It si so refreshing to see and hear Canadian war history especially when it is told by an American, a job well done sir, BZ.

[@stubstoo6331]

Sixty one Canadian's have been awarded the medal of honor since the civil war. The last one to be awarded the medal of honor was in Vietnam when eighty thousand Canadians served in the U.S military thirty thousand in combat. There's a million people that have dual citizenship, and many like me that have family in both countries. Most Americans with brains know of Canada's contributions in time of need. The one's that don't oh well.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! I appreciate that. Feel free to share them out with your fellow Canadians.

[@PaulDouglasDouglas97]

Love it mate lest we forget ❤

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you.

[@silentcontender]

Your videography great and very creative!

[@glennbray4695]

4:01 puts mining to another level.

[@dankorolyk5917]

Fantastic series,really enjoyed all the episodes,jolted me a bit with the mention of the 16th Battalion,they were from my hometown.Thanks JD.

[@JohnnyPoptarticus]

Another great series, JD! Knowing your love of fortifications, I'd love to see you do a series on the forts along Lake Champlain and up into Quebec. From Fort Ticonderoga to Fort Montgomery, Crown Point, then across the border to Fort Chambly, Fort de I'le Sanite Helen and ending up in Québec City and the huge fort there. A lot of early North American history to unpack there.

[@stevoarseneault5558]

Love when you do canadien content❤ thk JD

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🇨🇦

[@billbailey4943]

Thank you for a wonderful summary of a historical WW I battle…..

[@glenkroeker4855]

Great job Jd I learned something new from this video as well as your recommendation to seek some Paul Reed content ,I would have hoped that you would have mentioned Norm Christie ,he is the author of the "For King & Empire" series and did host a excellent history channel show of a similar title called "For King & Country" you would love the stories of individual soldier stories somewhat the way you do it thanks again JD.

[@crazycatlady68]

My goodness. So young. I wish you had lingered on those markers for a bit longer to show us how very young they were. What a terrible war..as they all are. Humanity is capable of such awful things towards each other..and why? We are so violent. I wish we could all just live in peace with each other but that will never happen.

[@ospreycove]

I love the history! Thanks so much!!!

[@OTDMilitaryHistory]

Sifton was from a town not far from where I grew up. I did a quick video on him.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

@@OTDMilitaryHistory - Oh dang. I must have missed that one but just went back and watched it. For those who may see this comment, check out what we’re talking about here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIm9ioljZ5iLhs0si=z4VIoe0IFxjWJN-t

[@OTDMilitaryHistory]

@@TheHistoryUnderground No worries. Thanks for sharing the video. For those interested in Upper Canada’s history, the headstone for Sifton is in the cemetery where Colonel Thomas Talbot is buried. The historical plaque is across the street.

[@SurvivethePoleShift]

Thank you for your work on covering the Western Front. Question: As your drone flys over the shell cratered landscape at approx minute 2:00, I noticed white stakes in clusters in and around the old craters Do you know what they represent? Best regards from Downunder.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Good question. Those were new trees that had been planted. Also, got a bit of Aussie content on the horizon.

[@timshelby2324]

Thank you .

[@LaneDuern-p1u]

Thank you for another great video . I would like to thank you for Canadian content.

[@gerardsaretsky5630]

Enjoyed your videos immensely!…Great analysis!…👍

[@StevenJeNova]

I thank you. Lest we forget.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🇨🇦

[@sscinamon]

Great video keep up the good work

[@cahg3871]

My grandfather,Cpl Harry Goodayle,survived this battle-one of the few in his unit to do so.He was shot and sustained a concussion grenade-he was shipped home in a body cast when healthy enough to travel.He passed in 1966.

[@Chris-Nico]

Very well done JD. Your research is commendable. 🇨🇦 Gosh these cemeteries seem like they are hard to get to…. Dirt muddy roads..but right next to a motorway.

[@trevorjamesbradley3010]

JD any story on the choice of the black obsidian used at many cemeteries? Noticed it used heavily at the Tyne Cot Cemetery near Passendale as well.

[@moobaz8675]

I visited Vimy Ridge but didn't know anything about the crater cemeteries. Fascinating and very poignant.

[@franceshendry5656]

If you're interested in Canadian role in WW1, TVO (public t.v. in Ontario) ran a really good series hosted by Norm Christie, called I think, "For King and Empire". He also investigates cemeteries with background goal of tracing and naming all MIA Canadian soldiers lost in that conflict.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Cool! Thanks!

[@mithridateseupator3492]

@@TheHistoryUndergroundI agree. “For King and Empire” was a very good series. Very respectfully done. Christie knew his stuff because he was formerly an employee of the CWGC.

[@Crazypapa95]

When you talked about soldiers like Sifton and I believe Stokes in episode 287. I think of the quote “ Where do we get such men” by George Tarrant in The bridges of Toko-Ri. These men were so brave.

[@mikeyoung9017]

Very interesting and sad at the same time

[@Typhoon7000]

Are those clam shells in the cemetery walls etc? I couldn’t tell what the walls and some of the floors were made of. Significance to Canada in particular?

[@dimwitt461]

As always, outstanding video JD! One question though, are the guys buried in the craters all enlisted men? As you scanned over the names I saw NCOs and privates but didn’t notice any officers. Was thinking that was indicative of the attitude towards enlisted at that time. Officers would be gathered and interred in marked graves while, because of their lower status and the sheer number of them, the enlisted were more likely to be placed in mass graves.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

I don't recall. Might need to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website and do a little research.

[@karmolr68]

The Russian may have fought with the Russian Expeditionary Force, who fought on the Western Front. "In December 1915 the French politician, Paul Doumer while on a visit to Russia, proposed that 300,000 Russian troops be sent to fight in France in exchange for French munitions."

[@Muzdrums22]

Well done! Been to Zivy but not Lichfield. They are unique places.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Very much so. Thanks!

[@zekesgirl100]

Just out of curiosity, did WWII damage any of the WWI cemeteries?

[@jay76ny]

I cant remember the exact battle Paul Reed was talking about on his podcast, but he gave the figure of over 2 million artillery rounds were fired by both sides in a 9 hour period, which equated to 1000 hits per square meter. I cant even......

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

@@jay76ny - Probably Verdun. I have a series from there as well.

[@PortsmouthCherokee]

One of My anscestors was on the monitor when she sank.

[@MackWilliams-oz2cz]

Next to the stone where the names are inscribed, the arranged, decorative round stones on the ground appear to be nodules of flint and chalk "excavated" by the explosion.

[@jamesbodnarchuk3322]

Hail our glorious dead❤

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🇨🇦

[@molecatcher3383]

No more brother wars. Today we are facing a greater enemy, and if we lose, we will be replaced.