Vimy 2017 - Both Sides of the Ridge
The conference marks the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, April 9th-12th, 1917. It brings together preeminent Canadian, German and American military historians of World War One to examine the battle from each country’s perspective.
Please register via https://www.regonline.ca/registration/Checkin.aspx?EventID=1913423&
Conference Venue: University of Calgary, MacEwan Student Centre (MacEwan Ballroom), 402 Collegiate Blvd NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
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Programme:
Thursday, April 20, 2017
18.00 Reception - David Bercuson (CMSS, University of Calgary) | Michael Epkenhans (ZMSBw), Ministry of Defense
Friday, April 21, 2017
08.45 Welcome - The Honourable Kent Hehr (Minister of Veterans Affairs)
09.00 Session 1 - The Political Context. Germany and Canada
Patrick Brennan (University of Calgary): Vimy Aside. A Very Hard Year for Canada - Class, Ethnicity and the Politics of National Disunity in 1917
Michael Epkenhans (ZMSBw): Overall Germany Political Situation in 1917
10.00 Coffee Break
10.15 Session 2 - The Military Context. Germany and Canada
Gerhard Gross (ZMSBw): The German Strategy in 1917
David Fearon MSM, CD (Canadian Forces): The Canadian Corps in the Great War. A Learning Organization in Action
Mark Humphries (Laurier Centre for Military, Strategic and Disarmament Studies): War’s Hidden Casualties - Shell Shock at Vimy Ridge
11.45 Lunch
Keynote Address - Hans-Hubertus Mack (ZMSBw)
13.00 Session 3 - Air power and Infantry
Mike Bechthold (Wilfrid Laurier University): Air War over Vimy Ridge - The Ground and Air Battle
Bill March (Directorate, RCA History and Heritage): A Not Insignificant Contribution. Air Power and Vimy Ridge
William Stewart (independent researcher): Deployment to Employment. The Introduction of New Infantry Weapons in the Canadian Corps
Markus Pohlmann (ZMSBw): A Portrait of the Soldier as a Young Man - Ernst Jünger at Fresnoy
14.45 Coffee Break
15.00 Session 4 - Operational Learning
Christian Stachelbeck (ZMSBw): The German Army in the Elastic Defence
Geoff Jackson (Ambrose University College): Training for Disaster - The British 62nd Division and the First and Second Battles of Bullecourt
Andrew McEwen, History (University of Calgary): The Sacrifice of Horses - The B.E.F. Animal Health Crisis, Spring 1917
David Thuell (Norwich University): Firepower, Mobility and Protection - Vimy Ridge
18.30 Dinner
Keynote Address - Michael Neiberg (US Army War College): American Entry into WWI
Saturday, April 22, 2017
09.00 Session 5 - The Meaning of Vimy for Canada
Rob Rutherdale (Algoma University): National Myths and Pivotal Battles - The Case of Vimy Ridge
Serge Durflinger (University of Ottawa): Marring the Memory - The 1967 Vimy Ridge Commemorations Imbroglio and Canada-France Relations
Carla Stokes (Collections, O’Keefe Ranch): The Larger Implications of Manipulated Images. The Taking of Vimy Ridge
10.30 Coffee Break
10.45 Session 6 - The Larger Picture
Jack Granatstein (Independent Researcher): Did Vimy Matter?
Tim Cook (Carleton University / Canadian War Museum): Vimy and the Birth of the Nation - The Origins of the Phrase and How Its Meaning Has Changed over Time
Michael Neiberg (US Army War College): Through Transnational Lenses - Allied Offensives in WWI
12.15 Lunch
Keynote Address - Krista Cooke (Canadian War Museum): Myth and Memory. Vimy 2017 at the Canadian War Museum
13.30 Session 7 - Round Table on Vimy Ridge
Jack Granatstein | Michael Neiberg | Michael Epkenhans | Tim Cook
Moderator: David Bercuson (CMSS, University of Calgary)
15.00 - Closing Remarks
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Contact:
Nancy Pearson Mackie
Outreach Coordinator
Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
University of Calgary