Ivan Lee syke! you thought, Arthur here is part of our "thought to be dead historical society" leaders and influential people whom are thought to be dead but not really
Vimy was more important to the Canadian national identity than confederation... Taking that ridge made Canadians think they were Canadian rather than just Commonwealth soldiers. I love the channel, keep up the amazing work!!!
Arch.1911 Canada was technically became a country after cofederation but alot of Candians thought of themselves as part of the empire. However a kind of Canadian nationalism was developing at the time beginning of the 1900s . The success at Vimy ridge, a ridge which neither the french or british could capture by Canadians soldiers from all parts of Canada ampfied that already existing sense of nationalism. In fact Vimy was followed by a series of failures that Candians had to endure because of the British command. Vimy helped make Canadian as identity more than just a part of the empire and a seprate country . When Canada entered ww1 she had no choice not to join by the end of the war Canada had a seprate seat in the treaty of Versailles.
@@coolergman8629 The deal was sealed in 1922 when Turkey got frisky and Britain called up and wanted help. Canada's reply was a variation on "Yeah, we'll get back to you".
At the Canadian war museum they have a Vimy ridge exhibit. There is a wall of lights, and each light represents a Canadian soldier that died taking Vimy ridge. That wall has over 3900+ lights.
Both Canadians and Australians/New Zealanders were enthustiastic in trying new offensive methods , tactics and novel equipment. They learned the lessons of Somme well from previous year.
One tactic I recall learning that the Canadians pioneered was that they'd take fuses out of grenades and throw the dummy grenades into gun emplacements, so while the crews were busy freaking out about this grenade that was suddenly in their position, the Canadians could get closer and lob a live grenade in with minimal risk that had less of a chance of being reacted to.
ThePaintballernick Not sure if it was all ready invented, but I think Canada really mastered it to the point of it being a useful tactic. Which is a tactic still used to this day! Over 100 years and armies still using this tactic:) Go Canada:)
@@grinkster If memory serve right, creeping barrage had been first used by the germans. But the Canadians corp really perfected it to a point of mastery
Hum... maybe that's why the Entente sorta occupied Greece. Maybe Haig was trying to get his hands on some pegasi. Who needs airplanes when you have flying horses...
No, Germany too. There invasion of Belgium brought the British in and prevented a victory in West. Let's see, what else, oh yeah, there is also the whole fiasco that started the war. Willy did not handle foreign relations well then, or even before the war. He told everyone Germany would move Britain aside in global power, have a huge empire when the world was already thoroughly divided thereby further threatening the global order, oh, and he made it very clear to the Belgian King he thought nothing of invading Belgium a couple years before the war (Tuchman's "The Guns of August" documents this exchange). There is also the Battle of Verdun. the troops used there could have been put to better use in the East and forced Russia out much earlier. This was what Hindenburg wanted to do with his command, Ober Ost. Throw those troops against the weak Russian Army and march on St. Petersburg in order to defeat Russia (This is documented in Pritt Brutar's(Spelling may be off) series on the war in the east). A defeat that would have had greater effect in 1916 than it did a year later. Falkenhyn instead declined and chose to impale himself on Verdun's defenses. So, no, Germany is not free from poor judgement.
Belgium was an excuse to bring Britian into the war. The real reason was decided in a secret agreement with the French, Lord Grey and Churchill and the Imperial Conference of 1911 which divided up the German Colonies between them. Jan Smuts of South Africa passed this information on to Dr Heinrich Schnee the last governor of German East Africa in 1912 while on safari there. They were good friends by the way.
Yeah, we apologize a lot because hockey is basically boxing with sticks frozen rubber and blades strapped to the feet, and no one apologizes when you spit your teeth across the blue line.
I visited the Vimy 100 memorial just last week, it was the most spectacular and emotional event I have ever witnessed in my life. I have never been so proud to call myself Canadian.
I hear "Sir Douglas Hague" and I see cavalry and I'm already shaking my head. This can only mean you've done a great job educating me about military tactics :)
Bonjour de France .I salute the courage and the sacrifice of our British and Canadian allies. Chemin des Dâmes the begining of the mutinies after the unnecessary sacrifice of French lives In many battles 200 000 men die.
German losses in this battle were not far behind. It was not exactly a military failure, it just failed to meet its (unrealistically high) expectation.
German casualties are something of a mystery in many WW1 battles, and one of the main areas where historians of this war come close to using the cutlery on each other. The Germans issued casualty returns every 10 days in WW1, while their opponents issued their own more frequently, and matching them up is a problem. It is said that the Germans did not count lightly wounded as casualties, whereas their opponents did, and this explained why the Germans seemed to have fewer. On the other hand, British and French historians may have been reluctant to admit that they were losing three men for every two Germans. Since the Germans were on the defensive on the Western Front most of the time, they may have lost fewer for that reason alone.
Yes German know numerous losses 165 OOO mens i agree but in 1917 the agressor and the invaders is the German Empire and not the French Republic.A special thought for the brave Senegaleses troops . Well trained on the Cote d'Azur but not used to the cold in Northwest
"A maze of SUBWAYS and tunnels..." Thanks for the Canadian shout-out, though. RIP to a great uncle who served with the 4th Canadian division, buried four kilometres from Vimy Ridge, killed in a March 1 trench raid on the German lines.
Italian battle cry: "Avanti Savoia!" Japanese battle cry: "Tennouheika Banzai!" American battle cry: "Oorah!" German battle cry: "Gott mit uns!" Canadian battle cry: "EXCUSE ME!!"
Much thanks and respect Indy for covering such a historic and symbolic moment for our nation as Canadians. I think this is when we started developing our own identity outside of the empire. I think even here in Canada people hardly know what Vimy Ridge is about or why we're having an anniversary for it. Kudos for honouring those men! Keep the interesting videos coming please!
Every episode brings more tears to my eyes for these wonderful men who gave everything for really nothing. It's just so sad all the dead, military, civilian on all sides.
Margret Fortune German soldiers and ally soldiers were no different. These were normal people sent in to a war and environment completely alien to most of them. It is said knowing how many died and how horrifying it must of been for them.
My mother told me a story from when she was a young girl. She was doing a project and learning about the First World War in school and when she got home was discussing what she had learned with her family. As a child she couldn’t fully grasp the significance and scale of what the men and women of that generation gave up and accomplished. Unfortunately and unintentionally she said something along the lines of “it was all for nothing”, similar to your statement. My great grandmother looked up from her book with tears in her eyes and said “don’t tell me my two brothers and husband died for nothing”……it wasn’t for nothing.
Thanks for sharing the story, my great grandfather fought at Vimy Ridge and was shot dead during a raid. My dad and I did a trip to France and went to the ridge. It was crazy to think that what I were seeing would be what my grandfather was seeing, - the mud and explosions from the artillary.
I'm Canadian, so I guess I can be honest about it: Vimy was a minor WW1 battle. It was not even a battle by itself, but rather part of the bigger Arras offensive. But it was an Allied victory, and it was an unquestionable one, which made helped to forge Canadian sense of identity. As John Pierce wrote of Vimy, "The historical reality of the battle has been reworked and reinterpreted, in a conscious attempt to give purpose and meaning to an event which came to symbolize Canada's coming of age as a nation"
I forgot who of you guys it was with the Sabaton shirt on, by your "behind the scenes" -crew special... But something tells me he knows the Price of a Mile...
Hey Indy in crew, thanks for covering Vimy Ridge! My great grandfather fought there and died of mustard gas but I am sure he would be more then be please by this being covered so well.
Went to visit my Great-Great uncle at the monument back in April. Seeing the still-standing trench networks, tunnels and especially artillery holes really was humbling. Walking up the steps there to the monument itself was an experience like no other, gotta give it to the French for their respect for the men at Vimy
The monument and the land it stands on is 100% Canadian and was ceded to Canada for the purpose of the monument by France. Still very respectful, I agree, but it isn't French soil technically :P
I'm Australian and although i knew the Anzac corps played at least some part in the war in europe, all we ever learned about in detail at school was the Gallipoli campaign. It's a shame we aren't educated in further detail about our role in European battles. Thankyou for your priceless resource I've enjoyed so much
My great grandfather kept a mason jar on his mantle filled with shrapnel and bullets he had taken fighting this battle. Been waiting for this episode since I started watching.
The Great War - If you prefer to see it that way, I reason he was the exceptional instance on the bell curve. It is as if any rationality is utterly random. Just like other people's money having an end so does other people's blood.
Thanks for a very clear and compelling account of this action. The animated maps help make sense of the often hard to envisage battle plans. I am so grateful this channel exists and trust the episodes will be always be available to view.
Although I'm Canadian myself, I'd like to see a special on Morocco during the war. As it was a French "protectorate," many Moroccans served in the French Army, and before the Canadians or even the British were posted to Vimy, a Moroccan division famously managed to take the top of the ridge during an earlier French offensive, and only had to fall back due to the failure of the French on the rest of the front.
Good call; do Morocco! I love seeing the other nations, and their history in the period, especially the smaller, periphery ones, as they are the gaps in my knowledge.
Ive been to vimy ridge and the monument there both of which are surrounded by areas of unexploded shells, mines and munitions, the whole area is quite striking and it is hard to believe the ground had once been stained in blood.
Great Canadian victory ! 250 thousand French and British lost their lives trying for years to take that ridge ! Thanks to Bynig and Currie a lot of innovations happened that day that changed war tactics forever !
arrow boy. Where do you get your numbers. Out if thin air? Never in any battle especially as small as Vimy did an army have 250,000 men killed. Add 4 to wounded to 1 killed you have a casualty list of a million or more. That army would cease to exist. Try thinking before you write.
@@anthonyeaton5153The ridge was fought over since 1914. French & British casualties were approx 150,000, and German casualties were over 100,000. Take your own advice and think before you write.
Interesting battle. Let's hear it for our Canadian neighbors. Blizzards in April? Yeesh. People tend to forget just how hard the conditions were. Great episode
There is a story that a Canadian sent home. He was taking German prisoners back when one just started to laugh. The Canadian confused asks. "Fritz what the Hell you laughing at ? You're my prisoner?" "That's right." he answered " A safe warm prison camp, where I will be fed and I will not have to worry about the bullets or the bombs or the poison gas. And you my friend, you will still be here."
Christopher Browne You are mistaking the repatriation of the constitution with the founding of the nation. Canada has been a country since 1867. However we were still technically part of the British Empire until 1982. That is not the same thing as not being a country.
July 1st, 1867, is the universally held "birthday" of Canada because that was the date of the official signing of the British North America Act which formally recognized the confederation of the provinces of Upper Canada, Lower Canada, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia into the Dominion of Canada.
We have always agreed on 1867 which is when our country was founded. 1931 is technically when we became independent along with the majority of the british empire. 1982 is when we stopped using the British constitution and started using our own. Hopefully that clears things up a bit.
Phew, finally made it to the present.First i would like to thank you for bringing us these informative videos.Before i bought battlefield 1 in december i didn't knew anything about ww1 while i (and many others) know all about the second.But reading the codexes from the game(that you guys wrote by the way) and following your channel has greatly increased my knowledge, understanding and the suffering that went on in that war1.After all, it were the soldiers that were suffering the most from incompetent commanders. (not Conrad von Hotzendorf CUCH CUCH!)So thx again and keep pumping them out to satisfy our addiction.
A famous poem from Siegfried Sassoon regarding this battle, "The General": “Good-morning, good-morning!” the General said When we met him last week on our way to the line. Now the soldiers he smiled at are most of 'em dead, And we're cursing his staff for incompetent swine. “He's a cheery old card,” grunted Harry to Jack As they slogged up to Arras with rifle and pack. But he did for them both by his plan of attack.
Indie..... Absolutely the best weekly sires on You Tube. Keep up the good work. You should market it to schools, library's, university's, but I'm sure you've considered it. Congradulations
As far as I know you are right about First Bullecourt, one tank only made it out of several. General Gough was blamed by Australians for the big Australian casualties to the 4th Division.
Hey Indy! You should do a segment on the Newfoundland regiment and the battle of Monchy-le-Preux, where 10 Newfoundlanders held off the advancing Germans for 11 hours!
Can't wait to check it out! Glad that us Newfies get mentioned every now and again, i know we didn't play a huge role in the war because we were just a small British dominion at the time, but our families fought hard on the battlefield and at home. Keep up the good work, Indy!
After +4 months of intensive watching, I have finally manged to catch up ... YAY..... Except now I have to wait for the next episode ... Dooooh. I love you The Great War channel - Longtime. And also Indy... In a masculine, academic and platonic way ... XD
I know it was briefly mentioned, but it would really be amazing to dive deeper into Monchy le Preux. The Royal Newfoundland Regiment (what was earlier known as the 1st Newfoundland Regiment at the time) were posted there. And you have the amazing and brave story of the Monchy Ten. I won’t talk too much about it, but I invite everyone to read more about The Monchy Ten online. It’s truly fascinating and a true demonstration of heroism.
Okay, I have to say this series has inspired me to learn more about the Great War. I'm seeing a whole lot of work and effort put in getting this great content out there - and you make it free! Thank you! The problem tho: There are tons of literature and information out there, so I find it difficult to filter out and find what I want, or whether the books I find are actually any good before buying them. It would be awesome if you guys made some sort of a reading list with books about different subjects and aspects of the war - based on your recommendations. Maybe some books that explains the overall happenings and the bigger picture, other explaining certain battles or maneuvers and some maybe more bio types - like Infantry Attacks (fun fact: Still in the curriculum of The Military Academy in Norway) or My Reminiscences of East Africa. I'm pretty sure a lot of your subscribers would be very grateful if this could happen.
Jack Sheldon has a wonderful book called 'the German Army at Vimy Ridge 1914-1917, filled with tons of first person accounts of the fighting that went on there. all his books are fantastic
According to legend Lt. General Birdwood after the battle of Bullecourt gathered the senior Australian officers together and told them this: "OK fellers, here's what happened. Remember that general we had for the battle of the Somme? Yeah, well we had him again."
you guys should do a special on the Canadian success at Vimy. I know you did a special on Canada (which was excellent btw) but the Battle of Vimy Ridge was a defining moment for Canada and as iconic in its victory for us as Gallipoli was in its defeat for the ANZACs
Have you guys ever covered the SMS Seeadler? She was a German square rigged clipper ship that was converted to act as a raider. Her captain was a German Count. Interesting story, ran aground in August of 1917, ending her raiding.
A question for OOTT- I see in trench maps that all the trenches are connected with each other. So, what would happen if an enemy retreated? Would they create a whole new trench system? With the frontline, support, and reserve? Or would they block the passage ways? Love the show, I have been trying to get a question answer for a year.
There was several levels of defense and trenches…If the forward trench was over run you could fall back to the secondary line and the third line after that etc…It’s called layered defense, you don’t put everyone on the front line, you have men and machine guns in trenches behind and parallel to your own.
Hi I have a question for OUT OF THE TRENCHES: what did people from country's that later in the war became enemy's think about each other. For example what did the germans think about the british. Love the show and keep up the good work.
The "Bullecourt Digger" the monument at the battle site is the model for similar monuments in towns and suburbs across Australia. Trivia challenge: Describe the original monument and why it was replaced.
My great grandfather was actually killed in the attack where the British support forces went ahead on the first day. I'll finally be able to tell my grandad why and where it happened
The Canadians Trained a lot for his attack including a slow walk behind a roving barrage use for the attack. The roving barrage just ended and the Canadians were on them. It is interesting how they triangulated sounds to figure out those batteries were.
Called it.
I thought you've been dead for years.
Ivan Lee It's the internet. No one is 'dead'.
Ivan Lee syke! you thought, Arthur here is part of our "thought to be dead historical society" leaders and influential people whom are thought to be dead but not really
Well then General, they named quite a few schools after you.
According to "The Simpsons", they're not dead, they're in Branson (Missouri)
Vimy was more important to the Canadian national identity than confederation... Taking that ridge made Canadians think they were Canadian rather than just Commonwealth soldiers. I love the channel, keep up the amazing work!!!
Arch.1911 Canada was technically became a country after cofederation but alot of Candians thought of themselves as part of the empire. However a kind of Canadian nationalism was developing at the time beginning of the 1900s . The success at Vimy ridge, a ridge which neither the french or british could capture by Canadians soldiers from all parts of Canada ampfied that already existing sense of nationalism. In fact Vimy was followed by a series of failures that Candians had to endure because of the British command. Vimy helped make Canadian as identity more than just a part of the empire and a seprate country . When Canada entered ww1 she had no choice not to join by the end of the war Canada had a seprate seat in the treaty of Versailles.
Couldn't agree more!
@@coolergman8629 The deal was sealed in 1922 when Turkey got frisky and Britain called up and wanted help. Canada's reply was a variation on "Yeah, we'll get back to you".
Really...more important than the founding of the nation.
@@coolergman8629
Name the failures...and give me the sources.
Thank you for giving Canada its due on this most honoured week in our history.
true, although I'd rather hoped for more in depth
At the Canadian war museum they have a Vimy ridge exhibit. There is a wall of lights, and each light represents a Canadian soldier that died taking Vimy ridge. That wall has over 3900+ lights.
Both Canadians and Australians/New Zealanders were enthustiastic in trying new offensive methods , tactics and novel equipment. They learned the lessons of Somme well from previous year.
One tactic I recall learning that the Canadians pioneered was that they'd take fuses out of grenades and throw the dummy grenades into gun emplacements, so while the crews were busy freaking out about this grenade that was suddenly in their position, the Canadians could get closer and lob a live grenade in with minimal risk that had less of a chance of being reacted to.
Another tactic that we mastered to take Vimy was the creeping barrage. surprised it wasn't talked about as much here
ThePaintballernick Not sure if it was all ready invented, but I think Canada really mastered it to the point of it being a useful tactic. Which is a tactic still used to this day! Over 100 years and armies still using this tactic:) Go Canada:)
grinkster it was already in use by the british at the time with inconstant results. Canada essentially perfected it
@@grinkster If memory serve right, creeping barrage had been first used by the germans. But the Canadians corp really perfected it to a point of mastery
New TGW drinking game : drink everytime Indy says "Stopped by german machine guns"
Drink every time Haig wants the cavalry to charge.
Haig would've tried using cavalry to stop the zeppelins bombing London if they'd just given him the chance.
Hum... maybe that's why the Entente sorta occupied Greece. Maybe Haig was trying to get his hands on some pegasi. Who needs airplanes when you have flying horses...
To be fair French cavalry did win against a navy once
Cihat Duman youre gonna have to provide a source for that, because that sounds like a potentially interesting read
"The men had performed their duty admirably, but had been let down by shockingly bad command". Essentially sums up the British in ww1.
BLADE essentially every country in ww1. Maybe except for Germany
No, Germany too. There invasion of Belgium brought the British in and prevented a victory in West. Let's see, what else, oh yeah, there is also the whole fiasco that started the war. Willy did not handle foreign relations well then, or even before the war. He told everyone Germany would move Britain aside in global power, have a huge empire when the world was already thoroughly divided thereby further threatening the global order, oh, and he made it very clear to the Belgian King he thought nothing of invading Belgium a couple years before the war (Tuchman's "The Guns of August" documents this exchange). There is also the Battle of Verdun. the troops used there could have been put to better use in the East and forced Russia out much earlier. This was what Hindenburg wanted to do with his command, Ober Ost. Throw those troops against the weak Russian Army and march on St. Petersburg in order to defeat Russia (This is documented in Pritt Brutar's(Spelling may be off) series on the war in the east). A defeat that would have had greater effect in 1916 than it did a year later. Falkenhyn instead declined and chose to impale himself on Verdun's defenses. So, no, Germany is not free from poor judgement.
No...it wasn't limited to just the British....Everyone, including Germany were "shockingly bad". The Germans only look good by comparison.
Belgium was an excuse to bring Britian into the war. The real reason was decided in a secret agreement with the French, Lord Grey and Churchill and the Imperial Conference of 1911 which divided up the German Colonies between them. Jan Smuts of South Africa passed this information on to Dr Heinrich Schnee the last governor of German East Africa in 1912 while on safari there. They were good friends by the way.
BLADE Casualty figures would suggest that, comparatively, the British were actually quite well led.
"This week, Canada strikes!"
Not the kind of thing you hear very often
Yeah, we apologize a lot because hockey is basically boxing with sticks frozen rubber and blades strapped to the feet, and no one apologizes when you spit your teeth across the blue line.
You don't hear it often because when we strike you wouldn't have time to hear "I'm sorry" from over 2 kilometers away
Actually, it kinda seems like Canada dominated WWI from bingeing the series so far.
Canada is that nice tranquil friend that goes in a psychotic rampage when they see blood
@@michellambert3936 it will be like that to the very last Canadian.
jesus crist i love this show it helped me get a silver trophy in my country history competition.
+Žiga Kunej congratulations!
The Great War wow thanks
Žiga Kunej really?
clever username :p yea man
Did you attend the history Olympiad in Berlin?
I visited the Vimy 100 memorial just last week, it was the most spectacular and emotional event I have ever witnessed in my life. I have never been so proud to call myself Canadian.
I wish there were awards given out to outstanding and academically important RUclips channels. You guys would hands-down take home a few.
Indy thank you for being a nice consistent youtuber. You,re my favorite youtuber
+BL00NS MASTER thanks for being a consistent fan
Respect from the USA to the best neighbor in the world.
thanks!
Appreciate it man!
Thanks for letting us into NATO
Cheers Mr. March
To bad, you can't return the favor these days. Please vote out your current president in the next election. Thank you
I hear "Sir Douglas Hague" and I see cavalry and I'm already shaking my head.
This can only mean you've done a great job educating me about military tactics :)
Bonjour de France .I salute the courage and the sacrifice of our British and Canadian allies.
Chemin des Dâmes the begining of the mutinies after the unnecessary sacrifice of French lives In many battles 200 000 men die.
German losses in this battle were not far behind. It was not exactly a military failure, it just failed to meet its (unrealistically high) expectation.
German casualties are something of a mystery in many WW1 battles, and one of the main areas where historians of this war come close to using the cutlery on each other. The Germans issued casualty returns every 10 days in WW1, while their opponents issued their own more frequently, and matching them up is a problem. It is said that the Germans did not count lightly wounded as casualties, whereas their opponents did, and this explained why the Germans seemed to have fewer. On the other hand, British and French historians may have been reluctant to admit that they were losing three men for every two Germans. Since the Germans were on the defensive on the Western Front most of the time, they may have lost fewer for that reason alone.
Yes German know numerous losses 165 OOO mens i agree but in 1917 the agressor and the invaders is the German Empire and not the French Republic.A special thought for the brave Senegaleses troops . Well trained on the Cote d'Azur but not used to the cold in Northwest
"A maze of SUBWAYS and tunnels..."
Thanks for the Canadian shout-out, though.
RIP to a great uncle who served with the 4th Canadian division, buried four kilometres from Vimy Ridge, killed in a March 1 trench raid on the German lines.
RIP
Proud to be Canadian, Thanks for the post Indy
Italian battle cry: "Avanti Savoia!"
Japanese battle cry: "Tennouheika Banzai!"
American battle cry: "Oorah!"
German battle cry: "Gott mit uns!"
Canadian battle cry: "EXCUSE ME!!"
Our artillery shells had "Apologies from Canada" and "Sorry!" written on them.
Canada: politely kicking ass since 1917.
I thought it'd be "HEY FUCK YOU BUD!"
The Irish battle cry: "Well I got my three today!" a quote from Dave Allen at Large.
"I sure hope they dodge this shell"
*German screaming*
"Shit."
Much thanks and respect Indy for covering such a historic and symbolic moment for our nation as Canadians. I think this is when we started developing our own identity outside of the empire. I think even here in Canada people hardly know what Vimy Ridge is about or why we're having an anniversary for it. Kudos for honouring those men! Keep the interesting videos coming please!
Just as I was listening to a song about the Royal Newfoundland Regiment.... You guys pop up... Well timed...
+Jari Bonthuis we're in your head
Seems like it, doesn't it? We'll see how well you do next time. Hehe.
let me geuss Great big Sea's "Two Recruiting Sergeants" ?
Every episode brings more tears to my eyes for these wonderful men who gave everything for really nothing. It's just so sad all the dead, military, civilian on all sides.
Margret Fortune German soldiers and ally soldiers were no different. These were normal people sent in to a war and environment completely alien to most of them. It is said knowing how many died and how horrifying it must of been for them.
My mother told me a story from when she was a young girl. She was doing a project and learning about the First World War in school and when she got home was discussing what she had learned with her family. As a child she couldn’t fully grasp the significance and scale of what the men and women of that generation gave up and accomplished. Unfortunately and unintentionally she said something along the lines of “it was all for nothing”, similar to your statement. My great grandmother looked up from her book with tears in her eyes and said “don’t tell me my two brothers and husband died for nothing”……it wasn’t for nothing.
Yes! LONG LIVE CANADA! Love from Canada Indy nidell
Thanks for sharing the story, my great grandfather fought at Vimy Ridge and was shot dead during a raid. My dad and I did a trip to France and went to the ridge. It was crazy to think that what I were seeing would be what my grandfather was seeing, - the mud and explosions from the artillary.
"The Swarming Canadians" is an image...perhaps a future hockey team?
I'm Canadian, so I guess I can be honest about it: Vimy was a minor WW1 battle. It was not even a battle by itself, but rather part of the bigger Arras offensive. But it was an Allied victory, and it was an unquestionable one, which made helped to forge Canadian sense of identity. As John Pierce wrote of Vimy, "The historical reality of the battle has been reworked and reinterpreted, in a conscious attempt to give purpose and meaning to an event which came to symbolize Canada's coming of age as a nation"
Well said some one with perspective and a sense of history. But remember The Arras offensive was a shambles.
I would have never guessed in a hundred years that Cuba and Panama had declared war on Germany. I'm so glad I decided to binge this series.
I've been to Vimy Ridge on a ww1 school trip from the UK to Belgium , powerful moving stuff :|
got to visit Vimy for its 100 anniversary. the monument there is incredible and all of the shell holes from the artillery is still there!
Hey Indy and crew! Will you be covering the battle of paeshendale? My great grandfather fought their and got hit by gas. Love the show!
+Raw Gameplay what kind of WW1 channel would we be if we didn't?
I forgot who of you guys it was with the Sabaton shirt on, by your "behind the scenes" -crew special... But something tells me he knows the Price of a Mile...
Jesus, my great grandfather might have helped yours recover in the hospital (this is assuming he survived the hit)
One that had Hotzendorf, Cadorna and Enva Pasha doing their research perhaps ?
Raw Gameplay WHATS THE PRICE OF A MILE?
Keep up the great work! Never knew WWI was so interesting.
+PToastman great avatar
Pulvertoastman! Now the allies can leave it all to you!
Thanks!
PToastman it is when properly presented, talked about, and with a good host.
Hey Indy in crew, thanks for covering Vimy Ridge! My great grandfather fought there and died of mustard gas but I am sure he would be more then be please by this being covered so well.
thanks for the Vimy Ridge input. This was definitely a special day for us.
3:50 R.I.P there unknown soldier, I hope the afterlife is still kind to you.
Went to visit my Great-Great uncle at the monument back in April. Seeing the still-standing trench networks, tunnels and especially artillery holes really was humbling. Walking up the steps there to the monument itself was an experience like no other, gotta give it to the French for their respect for the men at Vimy
The monument and the land it stands on is 100% Canadian and was ceded to Canada for the purpose of the monument by France. Still very respectful, I agree, but it isn't French soil technically :P
I'm Australian and although i knew the Anzac corps played at least some part in the war in europe, all we ever learned about in detail at school was the Gallipoli campaign. It's a shame we aren't educated in further detail about our role in European battles. Thankyou for your priceless resource I've enjoyed so much
Quite but read proper military history and not Australian bullshit history.
My great grandfather kept a mason jar on his mantle filled with shrapnel and bullets he had taken fighting this battle. Been waiting for this episode since I started watching.
Poorly led would be putting things rather mildly.
+Rhodes1966 well, Byng at least showed that there is hope.
The Great War Byng Boys!
The Great War -
If you prefer to see it that way, I reason he was the exceptional instance on the bell curve. It is as if any rationality is utterly random. Just like other people's money having an end so does other people's blood.
I can assume based on your profile picture you are Canadian?
No just an individual American rejecting collectivism... and I like Rush ;)
Proud to know my grandfather and his brother fought at Vimy.
Thanks for a very clear and compelling account of this action. The animated maps help make sense of the often hard to envisage battle plans.
I am so grateful this channel exists and trust the episodes will be always be available to view.
Although I'm Canadian myself, I'd like to see a special on Morocco during the war. As it was a French "protectorate," many Moroccans served in the French Army, and before the Canadians or even the British were posted to Vimy, a Moroccan division famously managed to take the top of the ridge during an earlier French offensive, and only had to fall back due to the failure of the French on the rest of the front.
Good call; do Morocco!
I love seeing the other nations, and their history in the period, especially the smaller, periphery ones, as they are the gaps in my knowledge.
The Moroccan Division is still today the most decorated of the History of the French Army
If you'd like to know more, Tim Cook has an amazing two-part book, At the Sharp End, and Shock Troops.
His book on Vimy is great too!
Good job using the proper flag for the time period.
Indy I just saw your channel on Dutch tv!
Mike De Jong serieus? Waar?
+Mike De Jong RTL Z or something, right? A few people sent links.
The Great War congratulations!
i want link
Ive been to vimy ridge and the monument there both of which are surrounded by areas of unexploded shells, mines and munitions, the whole area is quite striking and it is hard to believe the ground had once been stained in blood.
I just started reading Paul Ham's new book about Passchendaele, which is lining up perfectly with the new episodes each week.
Great Canadian victory ! 250 thousand French and British lost their lives trying for years to take that ridge ! Thanks to Bynig and Currie a lot of innovations happened that day that changed war tactics forever !
arrow boy. Where do you get your numbers. Out if thin air? Never in any battle especially as small as Vimy did an army have 250,000 men killed. Add 4 to wounded to 1 killed you have a casualty list of a million or more. That army would cease to exist. Try thinking before you write.
Hey , you are right, it was 150 thousand...feel better ?lol@@anthonyeaton5153
@@anthonyeaton5153The ridge was fought over since 1914. French & British casualties were approx 150,000, and German casualties were over 100,000.
Take your own advice and think before you write.
Interesting battle. Let's hear it for our Canadian neighbors. Blizzards in April? Yeesh. People tend to forget just how hard the conditions were. Great episode
There is a story that a Canadian sent home. He was taking German prisoners back when one just started to laugh. The Canadian confused asks. "Fritz what the Hell you laughing at ? You're my prisoner?"
"That's right." he answered " A safe warm prison camp, where I will be fed and I will not have to worry about the bullets or the bombs or the poison gas. And you my friend, you will still be here."
The German pow probably got bayonetted right there on the spot. “Okay buddy, have fun with that excruciating stomach stab”
Finally I have been waiting for this since is the 150th anniversary of Canada
Christopher Browne You are mistaking the repatriation of the constitution with the founding of the nation. Canada has been a country since 1867. However we were still technically part of the British Empire until 1982. That is not the same thing as not being a country.
Theoretically became an independent nation when we signed onto the Statute of Westminster in 1931.
July 1st, 1867, is the universally held "birthday" of Canada because that was the date of the official signing of the British North America Act which formally recognized the confederation of the provinces of Upper Canada, Lower Canada, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia into the Dominion of Canada.
We have always agreed on 1867 which is when our country was founded. 1931 is technically when we became independent along with the majority of the british empire. 1982 is when we stopped using the British constitution and started using our own. Hopefully that clears things up a bit.
Great episode!
Phew, finally made it to the present.First i would like to thank you for bringing us these informative videos.Before i bought battlefield 1 in december i didn't knew anything about ww1 while i (and many others) know all about the second.But reading the codexes from the game(that you guys wrote by the way) and following your channel has greatly increased my knowledge, understanding and the suffering that went on in that war1.After all, it were the soldiers that were suffering the most from incompetent commanders. (not Conrad von Hotzendorf CUCH CUCH!)So thx again and keep pumping them out to satisfy our addiction.
Amazing episode. The graphics look beautiful.
A famous poem from Siegfried Sassoon regarding this battle, "The General": “Good-morning, good-morning!” the General said
When we met him last week on our way to the line.
Now the soldiers he smiled at are most of 'em dead,
And we're cursing his staff for incompetent swine.
“He's a cheery old card,” grunted Harry to Jack
As they slogged up to Arras with rifle and pack.
But he did for them both by his plan of attack.
Could you imagine if Haig was given command of Vimy Ridge? " We'll take Vimy Ridge with calvery"
UmakeMeMoist with crucifixes?
lmao ya
Arthur Wellesly.
With respect that is bollocks. Anyway Vimy was part of the Arras campaign led by a French general Nivel and was an utter failure.
Indie..... Absolutely the best weekly sires on You Tube. Keep up the good work. You should market it to schools, library's, university's, but I'm sure you've considered it. Congradulations
Yes! I was eager for a new video!
As far as I know you are right about First Bullecourt, one tank only made it out of several. General Gough was blamed by Australians for the big Australian casualties to the 4th Division.
Congratulations with reaching another Patreon goal!
Best channel on teh internetz.
Another great video!
Hey Indy! You should do a segment on the Newfoundland regiment and the battle of Monchy-le-Preux, where 10 Newfoundlanders held off the advancing Germans for 11 hours!
Can't wait to check it out! Glad that us Newfies get mentioned every now and again, i know we didn't play a huge role in the war because we were just a small British dominion at the time, but our families fought hard on the battlefield and at home. Keep up the good work, Indy!
I've been patiently waiting for this episode since first finding this channel :D. keep up the great work Indy!
There was a reanactment of this over last weekend in my town
After +4 months of intensive watching, I have finally manged to catch up ... YAY..... Except now I have to wait for the next episode ... Dooooh. I love you The Great War channel - Longtime. And also Indy... In a masculine, academic and platonic way ... XD
Wow. What an excellent channel, well done.
Thanks for taking time and care to put together such a great collection of information.
KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK INDY!
SEE I CAN DO GOOD ASSAULTS!!!
Sir Douglas Haig And I say, Haaaig, haaaig, haaaig, aaaig aaaig!!! What's going on?
Barry Irlandi Indeed, always more brandy!
Alan De Anda Amusing
thanks for not forgetting about Canada at Vimy!
I was looking to this!
Like the music in the background!
The Canadians performance was top notch! Looks like the war is swaying in the entente' favour! Fingers crossed.
I know it was briefly mentioned, but it would really be amazing to dive deeper into Monchy le Preux. The Royal Newfoundland Regiment (what was earlier known as the 1st Newfoundland Regiment at the time) were posted there. And you have the amazing and brave story of the Monchy Ten. I won’t talk too much about it, but I invite everyone to read more about The Monchy Ten online. It’s truly fascinating and a true demonstration of heroism.
I've finally caught up. What a great channel!
It's the Kingdom of Canadia. Look out, roll down the hill. It's their specialty!
Canada
Elmo
- That went over your head lol
Dominion of Canada. Never Kingdom. Didn't want to offend those south of the 49th parallel by having a kingdom next to them. Sorry.
A lot of camera footage in this one. Love it!
Okay, I have to say this series has inspired me to learn more about the Great War.
I'm seeing a whole lot of work and effort put in getting this great content out there - and you make it free! Thank you!
The problem tho: There are tons of literature and information out there, so I find it difficult to filter out and find what I want, or whether the books I find are actually any good before buying them. It would be awesome if you guys made some sort of a reading list with books about different subjects and aspects of the war - based on your recommendations. Maybe some books that explains the overall happenings and the bigger picture, other explaining certain battles or maneuvers and some maybe more bio types - like Infantry Attacks (fun fact: Still in the curriculum of The Military Academy in Norway) or My Reminiscences of East Africa.
I'm pretty sure a lot of your subscribers would be very grateful if this could happen.
Jack Sheldon has a wonderful book called 'the German Army at Vimy Ridge 1914-1917, filled with tons of first person accounts of the fighting that went on there. all his books are fantastic
Will we have a bio special for James Howlett in WW1?
Indy, I love that you actually know how to pronounce Aussie (ozzie) :)
Bullecourt is one battle where Australia outperformed what was expected but was let down due to poor British commanders
Great video
The new graphics are amazing.
Dream until your dreams come true, that's what can be said about Douglas Haig obsession with cavalry.
GO CANADA! It's the battle that cemented Canada as a nation. So proud of those guys. Wish I had an ounce of their bravery.
would love to see a similar episode on the Australian light horse etc.
A minor detail in context of the war.
Thanks Indy! Maple syrup and Hockey sticks...love it, but you hosers forgot the beer eh!
Very nice presentation. Wondering if you can do a video series on how borders of the world were established.
thank I requested this on Sunday
I love some awesome canadian history!!!!!
The tanks at Bullecourt became real stars of the German photographies.The wreckage were very popular among those soldiers who had cameras with them.
According to legend Lt. General Birdwood after the battle of Bullecourt gathered the senior Australian officers together and told them this: "OK fellers, here's what happened. Remember that general we had for the battle of the Somme? Yeah, well we had him again."
i finally catched up. 5 days without sleep were worth it
+Itamar Herman good job
you guys should do a special on the Canadian success at Vimy. I know you did a special on Canada (which was excellent btw) but the Battle of Vimy Ridge was a defining moment for Canada and as iconic in its victory for us as Gallipoli was in its defeat for the ANZACs
+Colin Woodall we don't do specials on individual battles
Oh ok. great job on the show anyway. looking forward to learning more about the war on all fronts as we progress to the end
Indeed. thanks Indy
Finally subscribed now that I'm all caught up!
Nice to hear, welcome on board!
Have you guys ever covered the SMS Seeadler? She was a German square rigged clipper ship that was converted to act as a raider. Her captain was a German Count. Interesting story, ran aground in August of 1917, ending her raiding.
A question for OOTT-
I see in trench maps that all the trenches are connected with each other. So, what would happen if an enemy retreated? Would they create a whole new trench system? With the frontline, support, and reserve? Or would they block the passage ways? Love the show, I have been trying to get a question answer for a year.
There was several levels of defense and trenches…If the forward trench was over run you could fall back to the secondary line and the third line after that etc…It’s called layered defense, you don’t put everyone on the front line, you have men and machine guns in trenches behind and parallel to your own.
Hi I have a question for OUT OF THE TRENCHES: what did people from country's that later in the war became enemy's think about each other. For example what did the germans think about the british. Love the show and keep up the good work.
The "Bullecourt Digger" the monument at the battle site is the model for similar monuments in towns and suburbs across Australia. Trivia challenge: Describe the original monument and why it was replaced.
My great grandfather was actually killed in the attack where the British support forces went ahead on the first day. I'll finally be able to tell my grandad why and where it happened
The Canadians Trained a lot for his attack including a slow walk behind a roving barrage use for the attack. The roving barrage just ended and the Canadians were on them. It is interesting how they triangulated sounds to figure out those batteries were.