The 1st Canadian Divisional artillery on the Western Front. In the
First World War, the Canadian Field Artillery led the way in artillery
technology and tactics. By coordinating the intelligence reports from sound
ranging, flash spotting, and ground observation teams, they became one of the
most effective fighting units in France. These
tactics were first used at Vimy Ridge in April 1917, destroying most of the
German artillery before the assault began. The close coordination between the
attacking infantry divisions and the Canadian Field Batteries not only allowed
the infantry to advance very close to the falling shells, but also gave them
confidence that, unlike at the Battle of the Somme, the Germans would not be
able to recover in time to defend properly their positions.
The War Diaries, written by Major Arthur Hardie Bick DSO, cover the
work of the 1st Divisional Artillery in 1918 when it spearheaded the attacks at
Amiens, the Vis-en-Artois Switch (defending the
Hindenburg Line) and the Canal du Nord, the final blows in Germany’s
defeat.
