War Memorials

During out time in France, we made sure the students were able to experience two very solemn, evocative war memorials.  The monument at Vimy Ridge is uniquely Canadian - commemorating the battle that saw the first fully united Canadian forces successfully defeat a German stronghold that the French and British had failed to take in previous battles.  The monument itself is a thing of awe and beauty, but with an immense sadness.  It is inscribed with the names of more than 11 000 young Canadian men who perished in WWI but whose bodies were never found.  

Verdun, in the east of France, will forever be a reminder to the French population of the horrors of the "War to end all wars" as the first world war was ironically named by the press.  Germany attacked the fortified town of Verdun, which was meant to defend the direct road to Paris, with the goal of "bleeding the French white" - in other words, launching a continuous assault that would kill so many French soldiers that they would have to capitulate.  Their plan resulted in the longest continuous battle in modern warfare - from February to December, 1916, the shells never stopped exploding in and near the trenches the soldiers had built on either side.  Eventually, Germany gave up on Verdun and moved on to new vantage points for attack, but the price was horrible by any standards - over 300 000 German and French young men dead, and hundreds of thousands more forever wounded - their bodies torn and tattered by the relentless bombardments.  

The students gather at the front of the Vimy Memorial in northern France.

Pavleen, Tierra, and Kaelyn read the names on the walls of remembrance.

The students contemplate the meaning of the monument.

Madilyn sits beside one of the mourning statues.

This land has been granted to Canada by the government of France to honour the Canadian sacrifice here in taking the strategic ridge from the Germans.

Caitlyn photographs some of the names on the walls of remembrance.

At the back of the monument.

The small chapel of the Douaumont Ossuary in Verdun.

Looking up to the top of the ossuary tower.

Inside the centre of the ossuary tower.

Sammy waits his turn near the summit of the Ossuary. 

Mo is working his way up.

A beautiful day at Verdun.

Everyone loves a picnic! 

Heading to the ruined town of Fleury.

One of the markers denoting where a family farm was in the village of Fleury.