The Battle of Vimy Ridge, during the First World War, is Canada's most celebrated military victory. The four divisions of the Canadian Corps, fighting together for the first time, attacked the ridge from 9 to 12 April, 1917 and captured it from the German army. It was the largest territorial advance of any Allied force to that point in the war.

More than 10,500 Canadians were killed and wounded in the assault. Today an iconic white memorial atop the ridge honours the 11,285 Canadians killed in France throughout the war who have no known graves.

The 3rd Division is to attack on a front of 1.2 kilometres opposite La Folie Wood. Its objective is to reach the eastern slope of Vimy Ridge. The terrain here, unlike to the south, is rife with shell holes, mine craters, and old and new trenches. In the face of these obstacles, they manage to capture La Folie Farm, push through La Folie Wood and capture positions south of Hill 145. German resistance is stiff for the 3rd Division and sniping - a particular German strength - results in many deaths.