*Pictures of the Vimy Memorial in France
The Canadian National Vimy Memorial is a historic site that pays tribute to all of the Canadians who risked or gave their lives during World War I. The memorial stands on a hill on Vimy Ridge. The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a part of the greater Battle of Arras. The battle was fought by the Canadian Corps against the German Sixth Army. The Ridge became a major part of the German defense system. On April 9, 1917, the Canadian Corps stormed the Ridge and the next day captured the territory. Although over 10,000 lost their lives, this Battle was a major win for the Canadian Corps during World War I. There are over 11,000 names inscribed on the memorial that commemorate Canadians who were missing and presumed dead in France. During our visit, there was construction at the site because the 100th anniversary ceremony is on April 9th of this year and they are planning a ceremony. Right next to the memorial is a small memorial for the Algerians and Moroccans who fought in a battle in 1915. The memorial is built into a landscape that still bears the scars of the fighting in this stretch of the Western Front; the ground is churned up from the shells that exploded and the trenches that were dug over a century ago.
Very interesting. I do not know much about the events during WWI. It is a good time to be in these places to honor those who fought and the ones who lost their lives. The timing of your trip is extra special, marking the 100th anniversary WWI.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! I always love to visit memorials like this, because it is a special time to pay respects to the thousands of brave soldiers who lost their lives on the battlefield. You definitely visited the Canadian National Vimy Memorial during a special time as well, considering it was the 100th anniversary. Thank you for sharing this with us! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed reading about it.
ReplyDeleteWow, this post was so interesting to me because my WW1 knowledge is not great. I did not know about the Canadian National Vimy Memorial or the Battle of Vimy Ridge. In fact, I have heard very little about Canada's involvement in any war in the past. Nevertheless, it is such a great experience to see a war memorial because you are able to learn history while simultaneously being able to pay respect to those who past away during war. I think that it is amazing that you could see the scars in the landscape due to the trenches the were dug during WW1. To me, that is like seeing a little piece of history. I loved reading this post and it sounds like you got a great experience!
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ReplyDeleteChristina
ReplyDeleteI found this post very interesting. I never knew this memorial existed and the Canadian history embedded within it. It must have been very intriguing to see this on the 100th anniversary as well. This memorial shows the sacrifice that many people were willing to make in order for good to prevail. Thank you for sharing this post! I hope you enjoyed your trip!
Your whole blog has had me in awe of your experience this particular post is so moving to me. Being Canadian we learned about the battle of Vimy Ridge, it was a big deal for Canada and a huge historic win. When I was in army cadets the museum in the town where I was at camp had a huge exhibit on world war I and trench war fare we went through a trench saw videos and images of what life was like in them I remember that experience nearly 20 years later thanks for sharing this with us.
ReplyDeleteI love memorials like this! It is so cool to see that respect is paid to where it is due to those who put their lives out there so we can live how we do!
ReplyDeleteIt was great reading this blog post! I love seeing the different memorials, it shows that we all appreciate soldiers who faught in these wars.
ReplyDeleteI never knew about this memorial existed until I read your blog. Thank you for sharing, this is another place I would love to visit when I go to France.
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