REGINA TRENCH
CANADA’S FIRST WORLD WAR BATTLES
REGINA TRENCH 100 YEARS LATER
On 1 October 1916, the Canadian Corps attempted to take the Regina Trench system, one of the original objectives of the Thiepval Ridge attack five days before. Just over the crest of Thiepval Ridge, Regina Trench was invisible to the Canadian guns, who fired blindly before the attack. Like Thiepval, the Canadian divisions were able to take portions of the Regina system, but couldn’t hold them, and began a month long battle for the 3km stretch of trenches, barbed wire, and mud. The 4th Division would finally end the battle on 11 November 1916 with the capture of Desire Trench, the last in the system. An estimated 24 000 Canadians were killed, wounded, or missing by the end of the Somme campaign. 100 years later, the Vimy Foundation is actively working to ensure that the attack on Regina Trench, now largely forgotten, and other major battles of the First World War involving Canadians are recalled and our losses commemorated.
We will remember them.
On sentry duty in a front-line trench, 1916.
Photo courtesy of Library and Archives Canada. | Colourized for the first time by Canadian Colour.
Help the Vimy Foundation continue its work to preserve the legacy of Canada’s role in the First World War. Find out more about the Vimy Foundation’s ongoing education and awareness-building programs. Please donate now to support our work.
vimyfoundation.ca
Founding Sponsor
REGINA TRENCH 100 YEARS LATER
On 1 October 1916, the Canadian Corps attempted to take the Regina Trench system, one of the original objectives of the Thiepval Ridge attack five days before. Just over the crest of Thiepval Ridge, Regina Trench was invisible to the Canadian guns, who fired blindly before the attack. Like Thiepval, the Canadian divisions were able to take portions of the Regina system, but couldn’t hold them, and began a month long battle for the 3km stretch of trenches, barbed wire, and mud. The 4th Division would finally end the battle on 11 November 1916 with the capture of Desire Trench, the last in the system. An estimated 24 000 Canadians were killed, wounded, or missing by the end of the Somme campaign. 100 years later, the Vimy Foundation is actively working to ensure that the attack on Regina Trench, now largely forgotten, and other major battles of the First World War involving Canadians are recalled and our losses commemorated.
We will remember them.
On sentry duty in a front-line trench, 1916.
Photo courtesy of Library and Archives Canada. | Colourized for the first time by Canadian Colour.
Help the Vimy Foundation continue its work to preserve the legacy of Canada’s role in the First World War. Find out more about the Vimy Foundation’s ongoing education and awareness-building programs. Please donate now to support our work.
vimyfoundation.ca
Founding Sponsor
