Page "Battle of Vimy Ridge" Paragraph 46

The only portion of the Canadian assault that did not go as planned was the advance of the 4th Canadian Division, collapsing almost immediately after exiting their trenches.

The commanding officer of one of the assaulting battalions requested that the artillery leave a portion of German trench undamaged.

Machine-gun nests in the undamaged sections of the German line pinned down, wounded or killed much of the 4th Canadian Division's right flank.

The progress on the left flank was eventually impeded by harassing fire from the Pimple that was made worse when the creeping barrage got too far ahead of the advancing troops.

In view of the German defence, the 4th Canadian Division did not attempt a further frontal assault throughout the afternoon.

Reserve units from the 4th Canadian Division came forward and once again attacked the German positions on the top of the ridge.

Persistent attacks eventually forced the German troops holding the south-western portion of Hill 145 to withdraw, but only after they had run out of ammunition, mortar rounds and grenades.