THE BATTLE OF VIMY RIDGE, 9-12 APRIL 1917

                                             Many historians and writers consider the Canadian victory at Vimy a defining moment for Canada,
                                             when the country emerged from under the shadow of Britain and felt capable of greatness.
                                            Canadian troops also earned a reputation as formidable, effective troops because of the stunning success. 

                                           The Canadian operation was an important success, even if the larger offensive, of which it had been a part, had failed. 
                                           But it was victory at a heavy cost 15,000 attacked: 3,598 Canadians were killed and another 7,000 wounded.
                                           The capture of Vimy was more than just an important battlefield victory. 
                                           For the first time all four Canadian divisions attacked together: men from all regions of Canada were present at the battle. 
                                           Brigadier-General A.E. Ross declared after the war, “in those few minutes I witnessed the birth of a nation.” 

                                                                                                A Tribute to Sacrifice

                                                   Out of war Canada created the most impressive, majestic and inspiring Canadian National Vimy Memorial. 
                                                   The gleaming white marble and haunting sculptures of the VIMY Memorial, unveiled in 1936, 
                                                   stands as a terrible and poignant reminder of the 11,285 Canadian soldiers killed in France who have no known graves.