University of Ottawa historian Serge Durflinger reads from the memoir of a Canadian soldier who fought at the battle for Hill 70 near Lens in northern France.
The bitter struggle saw the Canadians take the high ground and hold it against repeated counter attacks. It marked another in an incredible string of victories for Canada in the First World War. It was planned, led, and carried out by Canadians, and was a major victory, but became forgotten as the war moved on.
A project underway in Canada is planning a memorial on the hill, called "Project Hill 70", to be ready for the 100th anniversary in 2017 and a new book has come out with contributions by several historical experts called. Capturing Hill 70: Canada's Forgotten Battle of the First World War.
It is available from UBC Press.
