By Roger White

Vimy ridge experience “surreal” for local historian

Apr 19, 2017 | 12:00 PM

Canada officially became a country on July 1, 1867 however many historians say we truly became a nation during the Battle of Vimy Ridge which happened on April 9 to 12, 1917.

As part of the 100th anniversary of Vimy Ridge, local historian and 1st Vice President of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #9 Tim Popp joined thousands recently to pay homage to those who fought and paid the supreme sacrifice during the bloody battle at commemorative ceremonies last week.

“We were just in awe of the experience,” said Popp, who also visited historic sites such as Dieppe and Passchendaele during his two week tour of the area. “I couldn’t believe that I was standing in an area where Canadian soldiers fought and died.  Really words cannot describe the emotion.”

Popp described the image of the Vimy Memorial as magical.

“Depending on the time of day and if the sun is at your back, you see the white monument against the blue sky is quite something,” Popp explained. “Then you keep walking and it gets bigger and bigger and bigger. The enormity of structure is amazing.”

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During those four days in April 1917, four divisions of Canadian soldiers from across the country took control of this strategic escarpment of land the German forces had held since 1914; a feat both the vaunted British and French armies were unable to accomplish.

Other than being a military historian, Popp also served in the Canadian Armed Forces, which brings special significance to making the pilgrimage to the Vimy Ridge monument.

“I was in the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry in the late 1970’s and our regiment had actually fought at Vimy Ridge, so it was something special to be there for the anniversary.” Popp added.

roger.white@jpbg.ca

On twitter: @battlefordsNow