Proud to be Canadian

‘Vimy Ridge is something that Canada can be proud of, where people before them failed [;] they succeeded in taking Vimy Ridge. The task that everyone thought was impossible, the Canadians did, and with their technique the First World War was won. Vimy Ridge in Northern France is a long high hill that the Germans took over and turned into a very strong defensive position. There were many casualties as the British and the French tried to take back the stronghold, each time they failed. Here it was where the Canadian Corps worked together as one for the first time in the terrible battle. The difference between the other attacks was that the Canadians planned ahead, throughout the whole winter before the attack they made plans, conducted raids, trained everyone vigorously, dug tunnels and trenches, stockpiled them with weapons, and guarded them with highly trained soldiers. They made an elaborate tunnel system with lights and flowing water, trained people on what to do, and set explosive charges under the hills. The amount of preparation they put into the attack is amazing, and on April 9th 1917 at 5:30am the Canadians attacked and took the ridge before twelve. It is one of the most wonderfully orchestrated battles and paved the way for winning the war. Canada got a seat in the League of Nations, and created a new way to fight the war. Trench warfare was not pretty and the Canadian soldiers still managed to keep their heads together, and win impossible battles.’