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Bullecourt

Looking east towards Riencourt les Cagnicourt
Designed as a diversionary attack whilst the British attacked Srras on 9th April 1917, it was intended to catch assumed German retreat eastwards from Arras.
62/Div W. Riding to attack west of Bullecourt and 4/Aus. Div to attack to east with tanks supporting both attacks. Maj.Gen White of 1/Anzac Corps wanted Queant to the east attacked as well as was concerned about enfilading German artillery fire: was assured that this artillery would be destroyed though attack delayed until 12th to enable this process.
Initial success at Arras encouraged Gough to bring attack forward to 0430 on 10th. PLan was for 12 tanks to advance without artillery barrage with troops behind. In event tanks got lost and attack postponed for 24 hrs. On 11th only three tanks arrived and none reached the objectives being attacked: however Australians advanced nonetheless and by 0700 had taken all their assigned positions.
1000 Germans counter-attacked and thrua

© A

Fields of Battle - Vimy

Vimy Ridge Canadian National Memorial
On the opening day of the Battle of Arras, 9 April 1917, the four divisions of the Canadian Corps, fighting side by side for the first time, scored a huge tactical victory in the capture of the 60 metre high Vimy Ridge. After the war, the highest point of the ridge was chosen as the site of the great memorial to all Canadians who served their country in battle during the First World War, and particularly to the 60, 000 who gave their lives in France. It also bears the names of 11, 285 Canadian servicemen who died in France - many of them in the fight for Vimy Ridge - who have no known grave. The memorial was designed by W S Allward.
No. of Identified Casualties: 11169

© Mike St. Maur Sheil / westernfrontphotography.com

Nimy Canal Bridge - Mons

The original bridge was held by 4th Batt. Royal Fusiliers on Aug 23rd. Lt Dease & Pvt. Godley were both awarded V.C.s for their action at this point. Dease commanded two machine guns which were on the embankment on the left of shot with the Germans attacking from the other side of the canal. By midday one MG was out of action and Dease was firing the other single-handedly although he had been hit three times. When he finally succumbed to his wounds, Pvt. Godley took over and held off the attack for almost an hour before he too was wounded and captured although not before he had thrown the MG into the canal. Dease is buring in St Sy phorien CWGC but Godley survived the war in captivity.
Original bridge was blown up in 1940.

© Mike St. Maur Sheil / westernfrontphotography.com