Language selection


Search veterans.gc.ca

Creeping Barrage At Vimy Ridge

Heroes Remember

Creeping Barrage At Vimy Ridge

Transcript
You leaned into the barrage. In other words, you were taking some chances if there was any shorts well we got casualties in front of our own artillery but it couldn't be helped. But the idea was the enemy had his head down in these dugouts or in the bottom of the trench and we got there right on top of the shell fire. The shell fire left at exactly at a certain time, exactly. No split minutes and then lifted again it could be fifty to eighty yards but each of those lines are marked that is where it changes and you just waited until it moved again. That was a beautiful job done. In other words, the Canadian Vimy Ridge taught the British how to fight a battle with a minimum amount of casualties to the maximum of territory.
Description

Mr. Henley gives an excellent description of the logistics and technique of the creeping barrage and its overwhelming success at Vimy Ridge.

Roy Henley

Roy Henley was born in London, Ontario on September 29, 1898. After enlisting in Toronto in 1916 with the 166th Queens Own Rifles, he was discharged with suspected tuberculosis. Mr. Henley re-enlisted, sailed to England aboard the horse transport SS Welshman, and joined the Quebec Regiment. Mr. Henley's recollections are detailed, sometimes graphic and occasionally humorous. His experiences spanned many battles; the Somme, Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele, Cambrai and Arras.

Meta Data
Medium:
Video
Owner:
Veterans Affairs Canada
Duration:
1:26
Person Interviewed:
Roy Henley
War, Conflict or Mission:
First World War
Battle/Campaign:
Vimy
Branch:
Army
Rank:
Sergeant

Copyright / Permission to Reproduce

Related Videos

Date modified: