Welcome to Cindy and David's 2014 Adventures
France - World War 1 Battlefields Tour - Part 3
We enjoyed a lovely walk around the lovely town of Arras
We stayed two nights in the Mercure Hotel in Arras. Arras is between the Belgium town of Ypres and the Somme Valley in France and is an ideal place to be to visit the WW1 Battlefields of the Somme
Vimy Ridge - In 1915, the French and British armies tried, unsuccessfully, to reclaim Vimy ridge from its German stronghold. However, in conjunction with the Battle of Arras in the spring of 1917, the four Canadian Divisions, together for the first time, planned and successfully launched an impressive attack.
Using a rolling barrage on 9th April 1917, 20 000 Canadian soldiers crept out of their trenches. The battle lasted for 4 days, ending on April 12 with the capture of a heavily fortified position known as “the pimple”.
The casualties were heavy. Out of 10,602 injured, 3 598 died of their wounds. 20,000 German soldiers were injured or killed.
4 Victoria Crosses were awarded during this battle.
Using a rolling barrage on 9th April 1917, 20 000 Canadian soldiers crept out of their trenches. The battle lasted for 4 days, ending on April 12 with the capture of a heavily fortified position known as “the pimple”.
The casualties were heavy. Out of 10,602 injured, 3 598 died of their wounds. 20,000 German soldiers were injured or killed.
4 Victoria Crosses were awarded during this battle.
Vimy Ridge memorial is an ideal place to see trenches as they were in 1914/8 war. The arrival of the stone for the magnificent Canadian memorial was delayed in transit from Croatia, so the workers were put to work re-constructing trenches with cement filled bags (the original would have been filled with sand).
The property, other than the pathways, is out of bounds due to many unexploded ordinance
The property, other than the pathways, is out of bounds due to many unexploded ordinance
The saddened figure of Canada Bereft, also known as Mother Canada, is a national personification of the young nation of Canada, mourning her dead.The statue, a reference to traditional images of the Mater Dolorosa and presented in a similar style to that of Michelangelo's Pietà faces eastward looking out to the dawn of the new day. Unlike the other statues on the monument, stonemasons carved Canada Bereft from a single 30 tonne block of stone The statue is the largest single piece in the monument and serves as a focal point.
The twin pylons rise to a height 30 metres above the memorial's stone platform. The twin white pylons, one bearing the Maple leaf for Canada and the other the fleur-de-lis for France, symbolize the unity and sacrifice of both countries.
The twin pylons rise to a height 30 metres above the memorial's stone platform. The twin white pylons, one bearing the Maple leaf for Canada and the other the fleur-de-lis for France, symbolize the unity and sacrifice of both countries.
The most senior figures represent Justice and Peace. Peace stands with a torch upraised, making it the highest point in the region.
The figures of Hope, Charity, Honour and Faith are located below Justice and Peace on the eastern side, with Truth and Knowledge on the western side.
The figures of Hope, Charity, Honour and Faith are located below Justice and Peace on the eastern side, with Truth and Knowledge on the western side.