Vimy Ridge?

Question

Why was Vimy Ridge important to both the allies and to the Germans?

Why was the victory at Vimy Ridge of particular importance to Canadian troups?

thanks

Answer 1

Vimy Ridge was important because it was high ground overlooking the surrounding countryside - always important for the defensive siting of guns and observing enemy movements. It also guarded access to the coal mines and factories of the Douai plain below.
It was important to Canadian troops in so much as they were heavily involved in a successful assault on the ridge (late March/early April 1917 - 10,602 casualties, including 3,598 killled) which showed that German defenses could be breached.
There is a very impressive monument on Vimy Ridge dedicated to the Canadian troops who fought and died there.

Answer 2

Vimy Ridge was a very dominating feature of the landscape. It was the prime position to spot enemy positions to the west and provided extra defensive capabilities on the slope. It was important to the Germans, because they held it and were using it to their advantage to hold back the Allies. It was important to the Allies because the Germans had it and were using it against them.

Several attempts were made to capture this important strong point, but it was the Canadians that finally managed to do it. They developed new tactics for the assault that have since become standard procedure.