Vimy Ridge 1917: Byng's Canadians Triumph at Arras: No.151 (Campaign) - Softcover

Turner, Alexander

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1841768715 ISBN 13: 9781841768717

Publisher: Osprey Publishing, 2005

Synopsis

Vimy Ridge was one of the most important geographic features on the entire Western Front in World War I. In early 1917 it was considered practically impregnable, but on 9 April the Canadian Army Corps, under the command of the British Lieutenant General Sir Julian Byng, assaulted it as part of the Arras offensive. In one of the most spectacular operational attacks of the war, they seized almost the entire ridge in a single day. This book describes how the innovative efforts that went into every aspect of the preparation for this attack ensured that the Canadian and British troops achieved unprecedented success.

About this title

Synopsis:

In early 1917 Vimy Ridge, one of the most important features on the Western Front, was considered impregnable. However, in a spectacular victory, the four Divisions of the Canadian Army Corps, under Lieutenant-General Sir Julian Byng, took almost the entire ridge in a day. This book examines every aspect of the secret to their success: preparation. The author shows how effective observation, accurate shelling, and new infantry tactics all prepared the ground for Byng's victory. When the attack opened at 5.30am on April 9 the Canadians easily overwhelmed the forward fire trenches, secured most of the ridge within the day, and all their planned objectives within four days.

About the Author:

Alexander Turner is a serving British Army officer in the Irish Guards. His operational experience includes Northern Ireland, Kosovo, the Iraq War of 2003 and service as a United Nations Military Observer. He has a BA in War Studies from King's College, London, and led a battalion battlefield tour to Vimy Ridge in 2002. Peter Dennis was born in 1950 and, having been inspired by contemporary magazines such as 'Look and Learn', studied illustration at Liverpool Art College. He has since contributed to hundreds of books, predominantly on historical subjects. He is a keen wargamer and modelmaker.

About this edition

• Publisher: Osprey Publishing
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 1841768715
• ISBN 13: 9781841768717
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 96
• Illustrator: Dennis Mr Peter