The 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles - ElectricCanadian.com

VIMY RIDGE 51in preparation for the Battle of the Somme). In Gunof allValley, behind the Arras-Bethune road, artillerycalibre stood almost wheel to wheel giving the Canadiansthe greatest moral and physical support they had everhad before going into action. Mines were laid under theGerman front line; one on the Battalion s front betweenChassery and Albany craters was to be blown, thirtyseconds after zero hour. The many dumps were filledwith consolidating materials, ammunition, water andevery conceivable necessity. At least a quarter-of-amillionmen were to participate in this gigantic thrust.Each infantryman had his usual equipmentas well astwenty-four hours rations and forty-eight hours ironrations, five sand bags, two flares, four bombs, flags andeverything else that an emergency might demand.Apart from the previous training, everyone was madefamiliar with all the details of the attack. Ample warning was given for officers and men to discuss the plansand make arrangements for eventualities. Four days inadvance, preliminary instructions were circulated and onthe 7th operation orders were received for the assault andcapture of Vimy Ridge. Colonel Gordon issued hisBattalion operation orders the same night and held afinal conference with his Company Commanders thefollowing day.The Canadian Corps which was on the extreme left ofthe First Army, attacked with four Divisions. TheThird Division faced in the direction of Vimy Village withthe 7th and 8th Brigades in line and the 9th Brigade insupport. The 8th Brigade attacked with the 1st, 2ndand 4th C. M. R. Battalions in line and the 5th C. M. R.in support. The 4th C. M. R. was the most northerlyBattalion of the 8th Brigade. On its right was the 2ndC. M. R. and on its left the R. C. R. of the 7th Brigade.Each battalion advanced in four waves, each of onecompany, with two platoons leading and one following forthe purpose of mopping up. Each company had fourofficers and about one hundred and fifty men. The finalobjective of the initial attack was three-quarters of a milefrom the front line, beyond La Folie Farm and the