Vimy Ridge Aerial Photographs April 1917

RFC Sergeant with camera

Royal Flying Corps Sergeant with a C type aerial reconnaissance camera, 1916. (Wikipedia)

The Royal Flying Corps at Work

Aerial reconnaissance images taken by Royal Flying Corps (RFC) personnel. Printed and carefully assembled by the RFC for the four Canadian Divisions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, April 1917. Click on images for larger versions.

Vimy Ridge aerial photograph.

First Canadian Division Front – 5 April 1917. Enemy Support Line – 6 April, 1917. Vimy Ridge.

Vimy Ridge aerial reconnaissance photograph.

Second and Third Canadian Division – 6 April 1917. Vimy Ridge.

Vimy Ridge aerial reconnaissance photograph.

Fourth Canadian Division 7 April, 1917. Vimy Ridge.

Compare the images above with the map illustration below to learn where Canadian units began their Vimy Ridge assaults 9 April 1917.

Vimy Nicholson map

From Colonel G.W.L. Nicholson, CD, Official History of the Canadian Army in the First World War. Canadian Expeditionary Force 1914 – 1919, Army Historical Section, Ottawa, 1962. Available via vimyridgehistory.com


About The Author

pferguson
Paul has worked with the Paradigm Motion Picture Company since 2009 as producer, historian and research specialist. Paul first met Casey and Ian WIlliams of Paradigm in April 2007 at Ieper (Ypres), Belgium when ceremonies were being held for the re-dedication of the Vimy Memorial, France. Paul's sensitivity to film was developed at an early age seeing his first films at RCAF Zweibrucken, Germany and Sardinia. Paul returned to Canada in 1967 and was captivated by David Lean's "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Bridge on the River Kwai". Over time Paul became increasingly interested in storytelling, content development, character, direction, cinematography, narration and soundtracks. At the University of Victoria, Paul studied and compared Japanese and Australian film and became interested in Australian film maker Peter Weir and his film "Gallipoli" (1981). Paul was inspired when he learned Weir visited the beaches, ridges and ravines of the peninsula. "Gallipoli", the film, led Paul on many journeys to sites of conflict in England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Malta, Hawaii, Gallipoli, North Macedonia and Salonika. When Paul first watched documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, "The Civil War", Paul understood how his own experience and insight could be effective and perhaps influential in film-making. Combining his knowledge of Museums and Archives, exhibitions and idea strategies with his film interests was a natural progression. Paul thinks like a film-maker. His passion for history and storytelling brings to Paradigm an eye (and ear) to the keen and sensitive interests of; content development, the understanding of successful and relational use of collections, imagery and voice. Like Paul's favorite actor, Peter O'Toole, Paul believes in the adage “To deepen not broaden.” While on this path Paul always remembers his grandmother whose father did not return from the Great War and how his loss shaped her life and how her experience continues to guide him.

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