Battles & Campaigns · 1917
Battle of Hill 70
Hill 70, near Lens, France
What happened
Canadian troops attacked the German-held high ground north of Lens and captured Hill 70, which gave them a view over the city. Over the next days they used artillery and machine guns to break a series of German counterattacks. They did not capture Lens itself.
Why it matters
The battle drew German divisions away from Ypres, where Britain was fighting the Third Battle of Ypres. Germany did not try to retake the lost ground.
What came next
The Canadian Corps moved to the Ypres sector in October 1917 for the Battle of Passchendaele.
Did you know?
Six Victoria Crosses were awarded for the battle, including one to Filip Konowal, the only Ukrainian to receive it.
Timeline
- 25 Sep 1915Battle of Loos; British troops briefly reach Hill 70.
- 9–12 Apr 1917Battle of Vimy Ridge.
- 15–25 Aug 1917Battle of Hill 70.
- 6 Nov 1917Canadians capture Passchendaele.