Fighting Irish Forums

The Battle of Vimy Ridge has considerable significance for Canada.[115] Although the battle is not generally considered the greatest achievement of the Canadian Corps in terms of strategic importance or results obtained, it was the first instance in which all four Canadian divisions, made up of troops drawn from all parts of the country, fought as a cohesive formation.[116] The image of national unity and achievement is what initially gave the battle importance for Canada.[117] According to Pierce, "The historical reality of the battle has been reworked and reinterpreted in a conscious attempt to give purpose and meaning to an event that came to symbolize Canada's coming of age as a nation."[118] The idea that Canada's national identity and nationhood were born out of the battle is an opinion that is widely held in military and general histories of Canada.[119][120] Outside of Canada the battle has much less significance and is simply noted as being part of the larger British offensive of the Battle of Arras