Doomed Youth: the Germans at Vimy Ridge 1917
The Battle of Vimy Ridge is one of the most prominent events of the First World War in Canadian public memory, in the experience of British visitors to the Western Front, and for the local French community. In Germany, it is virtually unknown, despite the fact that tens of thousands of German troops fought and died to hold the ridge in conditions no less terrible than those of the Canadians and British.
The German experience at Vimy Ridge does not figure prominently in our public memory of the battle, but post-war German literature provides us a glimpse into the hellish experience of the men of the Gruppe Vimy in April 1917.
Public historian Jesse Alexander will take us through the other side side of the hill, in the words of the men from Bavaria and Prussia - largely forgotten today - who were on the receiving end of one of the most famous battles of the war.
Becoming a member of The Western Front Association (WFA) offers a wealth of resources and opportunities for those passionate about the history of the First World War. Here's just three of the benefits we offer:
The WFA regularly makes available webinars which can be viewed 'live' from home. These feature expert speakers talking about a particular aspect of the Great War.
Featured on The WFA's YouTube channel are modern day re-interpretations of the inter-war magazine 'I Was There!' which recount the memories of soldiers who 'were there'.
Explore over 8 million digitized pension records, Medal Index Cards and Ministry of Pension Documents, preserved by the WFA.
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