Traveling in France: The Great War (Part 5 of 6)

Our tour of the Great War continues.

From Sedan, we traveled westward across Northern France to another region where the Allied armies battled the German army during the Great War.  There are many historic sites that commemorate the battles--cemeteries dot the countryside, monuments mark important battles and museums tell the story.  

Our first stop was at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, the site of terrible battles involving Canadian and German soldiers.  The memorial includes a monument dedicated to the 60,000 Canadian soldiers who died during Great War, as well as a large park that was once a battlefield and a visitor center.

The monument is imposing.  It stands nearly 90 feet tall on top of Vimy Ridge. From the monument, there are expansive views of the surrounding countryside and nearby towns.  

The Vimy Monument.  The monument was started in 1925 and dedicated in 1936. 

The Spirit of Sacrifice, with The Torchbearer (left) and Sacrifice (right) by Canadian sculptor Walter Allward.  

A dedication is inscribed on the monument.

The monument lists the many battles in which Canadian soldiers fought during 1915 to 1918.

The battle at Vimy Ridge in April 1917 was a victory for the Allied forces, despite the death of many soldiers, and it was a turning point in the Great War.  With superior tactics, planning and execution, the Allied forces followed the battle of Vimy Ridge with more victories and advances until the end of the war a year and a half later in November 1918.  

In addition to the monument, the memorial includes a large park, some of which is cleared and some of which is covered in pine trees.  The entire park was once a battlefield, filled with trenches, tunnels, craters and barbed wire, but devoid of trees.  The park is still pockmarked with craters from exploded artillery shells.  Trees been allowed to grow in part of the park.    

In the park, there were marked paths that have been made safe for pedestrians.  We walked along the paths and saw the vestiges of the battles. 

Because we were in the Red Zone, we were careful not to stray from the paths.  The likely presence of unexploded shells and the still-unfound remains of combatants means most of the park is off limits.  Signs warned of the danger.  

At the visitor center, we toured the museum.  We learned about the battle of Vimy Ridge and its role in the Great War.  

The museum has many artifacts, including a gas mask and a noisemaker to warn others of a gas attack.  The soldiers couldn't yell a warning to others while wearing a mask.

Outside the museum, we saw the remnants of a trench (pictured below), one of the many trenches that criss-crossed the battlefield.    

Nearby, there was a tunnel that has been preserved so visitors can see what it was like for the miners digging underground.  

At the exit of the tunnel, several trenches have been recreated to give visitors a sense of a soldier's life in the trenches.  

Above, an observation post looks out over no man's land.

During one of the battles, Canadian miners exploded a large mine.  We could still see the large crater in no man's land.

Although visiting the memorial left us sad, we were glad that we went there.  By the end of the day, we had learned a lot and we left with a greater appreciation of the sacrifices made by so many.  

Thanks for visiting the Canadian National Vimy Memorial with us.  

Next Up:  More about the Great War