Vimy Ridge

We just got back from Vimy Ridge today. I'm always blown away by that. It's the most beautiful memorial of the First World War that I have ever seen. The Menin Gate is majestic, and has aspects of beauty, but Vimy blows it away. It stands in a commanding position over the Vimy Ridge, and can be seen from miles around. Two majestic pillars stand above a foundation which lists the over 11,000 men of the Canadian Army who have no known grave, not counting the over 7,000 who are listed on the Menin Gate of Ypres.

The monument itself is incredible. It's bright white, and stands alone on a smooth green lawn, surrounded by the remnants of the Vimy Ridge battlefield. On either side of the green lawn lies the cratered ground of the Vimy preserved battlefield. The most moving part of the memorial for me is the statue of the woman standing at the very front, overlooking the battlefield. It represents Mother Canada, weeping over her lost sons. As the pillars represent peace, justice, sacrifice and victory, Mother Canada represents the loss felt by those left behind; the loss of the war.

Today, there were three flower arrangements left at the symbolic tomb of the Canadian soldier at the base of the monument. There were three poppy wreaths, and a poster to the memory of a lost soldier. They are not forgotten.

We also went to the preserved trenches that are about .5 miles away; they have lined the Canadian and German observation trenches with sandbags made of cement to keep the lines strong. You can stand in an observation post and check out the German trenches, behind a sniper shield that is 1/2 inch thick. At their closest points, the lines are only 25 meters apart.

We also got to go on the tunnel tour, which I highly recommend. The Vimy tunnels are four levels deep, and the fourth level has a light rail that is supposed to have a train still parked at it. The tunnels were used to bring up men and supplies for the attack without the Germans knowing.

My great-grandfather was not in the first assault on Vimy, but he was in the reserve trenches 6 km behind the front lines and came up a few days later to help hold the front lines against German counter assault. He was stationed in Mont St-Eloi, right near the ruined Abbey. We stopped by the Abbey towers as well, and it really does have a commanding position. Apparently the French were using it for reconnaissance and artillery spotting before the Germans finally knocked them out.

The Canadian students at Vimy do wonderful tours, totally worth waiting for. And a short walk around the battlefield really brings it home to you. My brother and sister, who are here for the first time, were as hard-hit as my dad and I were in 2005 when we first came. There is no way to describe your first sight of the battlefields.