20 years of friends: memories of Vimy and the Great War

20 years of friends: memories of Vimy and the Great War

On September 7, 2025, members of the Fröndenberg-Bruay-la-Buissière Circle of Friends embarked on an important journey that would honor the history of the First World War. First on the agenda was a visit to the military cemetery, followed by a journey to the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France. This memorial commemorates the Canadian Expeditionary Force soldiers who died in the First World War and is an honorable remembrance for Canadian soldiers who have fallen or gone missing and have no burial place. The memorial is located in a well-preserved part of the former battlefield, covering 100 hectares.

How Lokalkompass.de reports, Vimy Ridge is considered a national symbol of a significant Canadian achievement because it was the first place where all four divisions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force fought together. The Battle of Vimy Ridge, which was part of the Battle of Arras, took place between April 9 and 12, 1917. The combatants included the Canadian Corps, which consisted of four divisions, and the German 6th Army. The Canadians' goal was to capture Vimy Ridge and thus draw German reserves away from French forces.

The Battle of Vimy Ridge

The Canadians' significant victory at Vimy Ridge encouraged them to significantly expand their offensive on the first day. They quickly captured the village of Thélus and the summit of the hill, paving the way for the final capture of a fortified hill outside Givenchy-en-Gohelle on April 12, 1917. Despite initial successes, the Canadian Corps suffered 10,602 casualties, including 3,598 killed and 7,004 wounded. German losses were an estimated 20,000. The Canadians' overall successes can be attributed to technical and tactical innovations, careful planning, artillery support and extensive training.

Wikipedia further explains that Vimy Ridge is a strategically important geographical area extending eight kilometers northeast of Arras. This region was under German control until the battle of October 1914, and many previous attempts by the French to conquer it resulted in heavy casualties. Criticism of German defensive strategies during the battle forced a reevaluation of these tactics.

Visiting the memorials

In addition to visiting the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, the Necropole Nationale de Notre-Dame-Lorette and the Ring de la Memoire were also on the agenda. This international memorial commemorates 600,000 soldiers of the First World War. Although the interior of Notre Dame was closed during the visit, participants were still able to tour the exterior building. The day ended with a return trip to the hotel and a meeting with friends from France, so that the travelers went home with many impressions and memories.

In conclusion, visiting these historic sites was not only a remembrance of the fallen soldiers, but also a valuable opportunity to appreciate Canada's cultural heritage in the context of the First World War. Vimy Ridge remains a powerful symbol of national unity and achievement today and is deeply rooted in Canadian history.