# Battle of Vimy Ridge order of battle

The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a military engagement fought as part of the Battle of Arras, in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France, during the First World War. The main combatants were the Canadian Corps against three divisions of the German Sixth Army. The battle was part of the opening phase of the Battle of Arras, part Nivelle Offensive and took place from 9–12 April 1917. The objective of the Canadian Corps was to take control of the German-held high ground, along an escarpment at the northernmost end of the Arras Offensive. This would ensure that the southern flank could advance without suffering German enfilade fire.
This listing covers Allied Powers and Central Powers formations and units involved in the battle. Although the Canadian side is well studied, historians have had trouble determining the exact dispositions of the German forces and even more trouble assessing the casualties it suffered in the battle. The Canadian Corps suffered 10,602 casualties; 3,598 killed and 7,004 wounded. The German Sixth Army suffered an unknown number of casualties with an approximate 4,000 men becoming prisoners of war.
The significance of the Battle of Vimy Ridge is most strongly felt in Canada. Elsewhere the battle is principally noted as part of the much larger British offensive known as the Battles of Arras 1917. The historical reality of the battle has been reworked and reinterpreted, in a conscious attempt to give purpose and meaning to an event which came to symbolize Canada's coming of age as a nation. The idea that Canada achieved nationhood as a direct result of the experiences of the First World War, is an opinion widely held in military histories of Canada and also regularly appears in general histories. A 250-acre (100 ha) portion of the former battleground is preserved memorial park and site of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial.

## Allied Powers forces

Canadian Corps commander Lieutenant-General Sir Julian Byng had four attacking divisions, one division of reserves and numerous support units under his command. He was supported to the north by the 24th Division of I Corps which advanced north of the Souchez river and by the advancing XVII Corps to the south. The 4th Canadian Division was responsible for the northern portion of the advance which included the capture of the highest point of the ridge followed by the heavily defended knoll known as "the Pimple" just north of the town of Givenchy-en-Gohelle. The 3rd Canadian Division was responsible for the narrow central section of the ridge, including the capture of La Folie Farm. The 2nd Canadian Division, which later included an additional brigade from the 5th Division was directly south of 3rd Canadian Division and entrusted with the capture of the town of Thélus. The 1st Canadian Division was responsible for the broad southern sector of the corps advance and was expected to make the greatest advance in terms distance. Byng also planned for a healthy reserve for contingencies in case additional troops were needed to relieve forward troops, help in consolidating positions or aiding the 4th Canadian Division with the capture of "the Pimple". As a result, the 9th Canadian Brigade, 15th Brigade and 95th Brigade were kept in corps reserve.

### Canadian Corps

Canadian Corps (Lieutenant-General Sir Julian Byng) :
| Corps level troops ||||
| Commander | Formation | Unit | Notes |
| Lieutenant-Colonel E.I Leonard (Cavalry) | | Canadian Light Horse | |
| Brigadier-General Edward Morrison (General Officer Commanding Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps) Brigadier-General Roger Henry Massie (General Officer Commanding Corps Heavy Artillery) | 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group, Canadian Garrison Artillery | 3rd Canadian Siege Battery 5th Canadian Siege Battery 11th Siege Battery RGA 163rd Siege Battery RGA 164th Siege Battery RGA | Support 4th Canadian Division |
| Brigadier-General Edward Morrison (General Officer Commanding Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps) Brigadier-General Roger Henry Massie (General Officer Commanding Corps Heavy Artillery) | 2nd Canadian Heavy Artillery Group, Canadian Garrison Artillery | 1st Canadian Heavy Battery 2nd Canadian Heavy Battery 152nd Heavy Battery RGA 2nd Canadian Siege Battery 12th Siege Battery RGA | Counter-Battery Group #3 |
| Brigadier-General Edward Morrison (General Officer Commanding Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps) Brigadier-General Roger Henry Massie (General Officer Commanding Corps Heavy Artillery) | 18th Heavy Artillery Group | 1st Canadian Siege Battery 6th Canadian Siege Battery 147th Siege Battery RGA 180th Siege Battery RGA 182nd Siege Battery RGA | Support 1st Canadian Division |
| Brigadier-General Edward Morrison (General Officer Commanding Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps) Brigadier-General Roger Henry Massie (General Officer Commanding Corps Heavy Artillery) | 30th Heavy Artillery Group | 4th Canadian Siege Battery 6th Canadian Siege Battery 228th Siege Battery RGA 270th Siege Battery RGA 72nd Siege Battery RGA 181st Siege Battery RGA | Support 4th Canadian Division |
| Brigadier-General Edward Morrison (General Officer Commanding Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps) Brigadier-General Roger Henry Massie (General Officer Commanding Corps Heavy Artillery) | 44th Heavy Artillery Group | 7th Canadian Siege Battery 161st Siege Battery RGA 120th Siege Battery RGA 41st Siege Battery RGA 114th Siege Battery RGA | Support 1st Canadian Division |
| Brigadier-General Edward Morrison (General Officer Commanding Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps) Brigadier-General Roger Henry Massie (General Officer Commanding Corps Heavy Artillery) | | 9th Canadian Siege Battery E (Canadian) Anti-Aircraft Battery | |
| Brigadier-General William Lindsay (Chief Engineer, Canadian Corps) | | Corps Survey Section 1st Tramway Company 2nd Tramway Company 1st Canadian Army Troops Company 2nd Canadian Army Troops Company 3rd Canadian Army Troops Company 4th Canadian Army Troops Company 1st Entrenching Battalion 2nd Entrenching Battalion 3rd Entrenching Battalion 4th Entrenching Battalion Canadian Corps Cyclist Battalion Anti-Aircraft Searchlight Company | |
| Colonel Raymond Brutinel (Machine guns) | 1st Canadian Motor Machine-Gun Brigade | Eaton Battery Borden Battery Yukon Battery | |
| British First Army troops attached to Canadian Corps ||||
| Major General H. F. Mercer (Heavy Artillery) | 13th Heavy Artillery Group | 47th Siege Battery RGA 49th Siege Battery RGA 101st Siege Battery RGA 76th Siege Battery RGA 27th Siege Battery RGA | Support 3rd Canadian Division |
| Major General H. F. Mercer (Heavy Artillery) | 50th Heavy Artillery Group | 1/1st Essex Heavy Battery RGA 145th Heavy Battery RGA 58th Siege Battery RGA 68th Siege Battery RGA 69th Siege Battery RGA 95th Siege Battery RGA | Counter-Battery Group #1 |
| Major General H. F. Mercer (Heavy Artillery) | 53rd Heavy Artillery Group | 206th Siege Battery RGA 108th Siege Battery RGA 148th Siege Battery RGA 276th Siege Battery RGA | Support 3rd Canadian Division |
| Major General H. F. Mercer (Heavy Artillery) | 64th Heavy Artillery Group | 121st Siege Battery RGA 126th Siege Battery RGA 258th Siege Battery RGA 232nd Siege Battery RGA 73rd Siege Battery RGA | Support 2nd Canadian Division |
| Major General H. F. Mercer (Heavy Artillery) | 70th Heavy Artillery Group | 3rd Siege Battery RGA 14th Siege Battery RGA 162nd Siege Battery RGA 144th Siege Battery RGA | Support 2nd Canadian Division |
| Major General H. F. Mercer (Heavy Artillery) | 76th Heavy Artillery Group | 218th Siege Battery RGA 31st Heavy Battery RGA 128th Heavy Battery RGA 129th Heavy Battery RGA 142nd Heavy Battery RGA 50th Heavy Battery RGA | Counter-Battery Group 3 |
| Major General H. F. Mercer (Heavy Artillery) | 26th Heavy Artillery Group | 1st Howitzer, Royal Marine Artillery 11th Howitzer, Royal Marine Artillery 12th Howitzer, Royal Marine Artillery 44th Siege Battery RGA 52nd Siege Battery RGA 89th Siege Battery RGA | |
| Royal Engineers | | No. 1 Pontoon Park, Royal Engineers 20th Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers 215th Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers 172nd Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers 176th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers 182nd Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers 185th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers 255th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers 348th Field Company, Royal Engineers 324th Quarry Company, Royal Engineers 20th Light Railway Train Crews Company, Royal Engineers | |
| Royal Flying Corps | | No. 16 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps No. 1 Balloon Company, Royal Flying Corps No. 2 Balloon Company, Royal Flying Corps | |
1st Canadian Division (Major-General Arthur Currie) :
| Commander | Formation | Unit |
| (Divisional Troops) | | 13th Canadian Machine-Gun Company |
| Brigadier-General Herbert Thacker (1st Canadian Divisional Artillery) | 1st Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery | 1st Field Battery 3rd Field Battery 4th Field Battery 2nd Howitzer Battery |
| Brigadier-General Herbert Thacker (1st Canadian Divisional Artillery) | 2nd Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery | 5th Field Battery 6th Field Battery 7th Field Battery 48th Howitzer Battery |
| Brigadier-General Herbert Thacker (1st Canadian Divisional Artillery) | 3rd Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery | 10th Field Battery 11th Field Battery 12th Field Battery 9th Howitzer Battery |
| Brigadier-General Herbert Thacker (1st Canadian Divisional Artillery) | 1st Division Trench Mortar Group | V Canadian Heavy Trench Mortar Battery X Canadian Trench Mortar Battery Y Canadian Trench Mortar Battery Z Canadian Trench Mortar Battery |
| Brigadier-General Herbert Thacker (1st Canadian Divisional Artillery) | | 1st Division Ammunition Column 1st Division Train |
| Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander Macphail | 1st Canadian Divisional Engineers | 1st Field Company 2nd Field Company 3rd Field Company 107th Canadian Pioneer Battalion 1st Canadian Divisional Signal Company |
| Colonel F. S. C Ford | Assistant Medical Director, 1st Division | 1st Field Ambulance 2nd Field Ambulance 3rd Field Ambulance 1st Canadian Sanitary Section 1st Canadian Mobile Veterinarian Section |
| Brigadier-General William Griesbach | 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade | 1st (Western Ontario) Battalion 2nd (Eastern Ontario) Battalion 3rd (Toronto regiment) Battalion 4th (Central Ontario) Battalion 1st Light Trench Mortar Battery 1st Canadian Machine-Gun Company |
| Brigadier-General Frederick Loomis | 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade | 5th (Western Cavalry) Battalion 7th (British Columbia) Battalion 8th (Winnipeg Rifles) Battalion 10th (Canadians) Battalion 2nd Light Trench Mortar Battery 2nd Canadian Machine-Gun Company |
| Brigadier-General George Tuxford | 3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade | 13th (Royal Highlanders of Canada) Battalion 14th (Royal Montreal Regiment) Battalion 15th (48th Highlanders of Canada) Battalion 16th (The Canadian Scottish) Battalion 3rd Light Trench Mortar Battery 3rd Canadian Machine-Gun Company |
| Troops attached to 1st Canadian Division ||||
| N/A (31st Divisional Artillery) | 165th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery | A Field Battery B Field Battery C Field Battery D Howitzer Battery |
| N/A (31st Divisional Artillery) | 170th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery | A Field Battery B Field Battery C Field Battery D Howitzer Battery |
| N/A (31st Divisional Artillery) | | 31st Divisional Ammunition Column |
| | 72nd (Army) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery | A Field Battery B Field Battery C Field Battery D Howitzer Battery |
| | 26th (Army) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery | A Field Battery 116th Field Battery 117th Field Battery |
| | 5th (Army) Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery | G Field Battery N Field Battery O Field Battery Z Field Battery |
| | | No.2 Special Company, Royal Engineers |
2nd Canadian Division (Major-General Henry Burstall) :
| Commander | Formation | Unit | Notes |
| (Divisional Troops) | | 14th Canadian Machine-Gun Company 12 Company, D Battalion, Heavy Machine-Gun Corps | includes 8 x Mk II Tanks |
| Brigadier-General Henri Panet (2nd Canadian Divisional Artillery) | 4th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery | | |
| Brigadier-General Henri Panet (2nd Canadian Divisional Artillery) | 5th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery | 17th Field Battery 18th Field Battery 20th Field Battery 23rd Howitzer Battery | |
| Brigadier-General Henri Panet (2nd Canadian Divisional Artillery) | 6th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery | 15th Field Battery 16th Field Battery 25th Field Battery 22nd Howitzer Battery | |
| Brigadier-General Henri Panet (2nd Canadian Divisional Artillery) | 2nd Division Trench Mortar Group | V Canadian Heavy Trench Mortar Battery X Canadian Trench Mortar Battery Y Canadian Trench Mortar Battery Z Canadian Trench Mortar Battery | |
| Brigadier-General Henri Panet (2nd Canadian Divisional Artillery) | | 2nd Division Ammunition Column 2nd Division Train | |
| Lieutenant-Colonel S. H. Osler | 2nd Canadian Divisional Engineers | 4th Field Company 5th Field Company 6th Field Company 2nd Canadian Divisional Signal Company 2nd Canadian Pioneer Battalion | |
| Colonel H. M. Jacques | Assistant Medical Director, 2nd Division | No. 2 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station 4th Field Ambulance 5th Field Ambulance 6th Field Ambulance 2nd Canadian Sanitary Section 2nd Canadian Mobile Veterinarian Section | |
| Brigadier-General Robert Rennie | 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade | 18th (Western Ontario) Battalion 19th (Central Ontario) Battalion 20th (Central Ontario) Battalion 21st (Eastern Ontario) Battalion 4th Light Trench Mortar Battery 4th Canadian Machine-Gun Company | |
| Brigadier-General Archibald Macdonell | 5th Canadian Infantry Brigade | 22nd (Canadien Francais) Battalion 24th (Victoria Rifles of Canada) Battalion 25th (Nova Scotia Rifles) Battalion 26th (New Brunswick) Battalion 5th Light Trench Mortar Battery 5th Canadian Machine-Gun Company | |
| Brigadier-General Huntly Ketchen | 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade | 27th (City of Winnipeg) Battalion 28th (Northwest) Battalion 29th (Vancouver) Battalion 31st (Alberta) Battalion 6th Light Trench Mortar Battery 6th Canadian Machine-Gun Company | |
| Troops attached to 2nd Canadian Division ||||
| | 28th (Army) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery | 65th (Howitzer) Battery 122nd Battery 123rd Battery 124th Battery | |
| | 93rd (Army) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery | A Field Battery B Field Battery C Field Battery | |
| | | D Special Company, Royal Engineers | |
3rd Canadian Division (Major-General Louis Lipsett) :
| Commander | Formation | Unit |
| (Divisional Troops) | | 15th Canadian Machine-Gun Company |
| Brigadier-General J. H. Mitchell (3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery) | 8th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery | 24th Field Battery 30th Field Battery 32nd Field Battery 43rd Howitzer Battery |
| Brigadier-General J. H. Mitchell (3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery) | 9th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery | 31st Field Battery 33rd Field Battery 45th Field Battery 36th Howitzer Battery |
| Brigadier-General J. H. Mitchell (3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery) | 10th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery | 38th Field Battery 39th Field Battery 40th Field Battery |
| Brigadier-General J. H. Mitchell (3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery) | 3rd Division Trench Mortar Group | V Canadian Heavy Trench Mortar Battery X Canadian Trench Mortar Battery Y Canadian Trench Mortar Battery Z Canadian Trench Mortar Battery |
| Brigadier-General J. H. Mitchell (3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery) | | 3rd Division Ammunition Column 3rd Divisional Train |
| Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Anderson | 3rd Canadian Divisional Engineers | 7th Field Company 8th Field Company 9th Field Company 3rd Canadian Pioneer Battalion 123rd Canadian Pioneer Battalion 3rd Canadian Divisional Signal Company |
| Colonel A. E. Snell | Assistant Director Medical Services, 3rd Division | No. 3 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station 8th Field Ambulance 9th Field Ambulance 10th Field Ambulance 3rd Canadian Sanitary Section 3rd Canadian Mobile Veterinarian Section |
| Brigadier-General Archibald Macdonell | 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade | The Royal Canadian Regiment Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry 42nd (Royal Highlanders of Canada) Battalion 49th (Edmonton Regiment) Battalion 7th Light Trench Mortar Battery 7th Canadian Machine-Gun Company |
| Brigadier-General James H. Elmsley | 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade | 1st Battalion Canadian Mounted Rifles 2nd Battalion Canadian Mounted Rifles 4th Battalion Canadian Mounted Rifles 5th Battalion Canadian Mounted Rifles 8th Light Trench Mortar Battery 8th Canadian Machine-Gun Company |
| Brigadier-General Frederick Hill | 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade | 43rd (Cameron Highlanders of Canada) Battalion 52nd (New Ontario) Battalion 58th (Central Ontario) Battalion 60th (Victoria rifles of Canada) Battalion 116th (Ontario County) Battalion 9th Light Trench Mortar Battery 9th Canadian Machine-Gun Company |
| Troops attached to 3rd Canadian Division ||||
| Brigadier-General Cecil De Rougemont (63rd (Royal Naval) Division Artillery) | 223rd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery | A Field Battery B Field Battery C Field Battery D Howitzer Battery |
| Brigadier-General Cecil De Rougemont (63rd (Royal Naval) Division Artillery) | 317th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery | A Field Battery B Field Battery C Field Battery D Howitzer Battery |
| Brigadier-General Cecil De Rougemont (63rd (Royal Naval) Division Artillery) | | 63rd Divisional Ammunition Column |
| | | No.4 Special Company, Royal Engineers |
4th Canadian Division (Major-General David Watson) :
| Commander | Formation | Unit |
| (Divisional Troops) | | 16th Canadian Machine-Gun Company |
| N/A 3rd (Lahore) Division Artillery) | 5th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery | 64th Field Battery 73rd Field Battery 81st Field Battery D Howitzer Battery |
| N/A 3rd (Lahore) Division Artillery) | 11th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery | 83rd Field Battery 84th Field Battery 85th Field Battery D Howitzer Battery |
| N/A 3rd (Lahore) Division Artillery) | Reserve Divisional Trench Mortar Group | V Heavy Trench Mortar Battery X Trench Mortar Battery Y Trench Mortar Battery Z Trench Mortar Battery |
| N/A 3rd (Lahore) Division Artillery) | | 4th Division Ammunition Column 4th Division Train |
| Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Irving | 4th Canadian Divisional Engineers | 10th Field Company 11th Field Company 12th Field Company 67th Canadian Pioneers Battalion 124th Canadian Pioneers Battalion 4th Canadian Divisional Signal Company |
| Major J. S. Jenkins | Assistant Director Medical Services, 4th Division | No. 4 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station 11th Field Ambulance 12th Field Ambulance 13th Field Ambulance 4th Canadian Sanitary Section 4th Canadian Mobile Veterinarian Section |
| Brigadier-General Edward Hilliam | 10th Canadian Infantry Brigade | 44th (Manitoba) Battalion 46th (Regina and Moose Jaw) Battalion 47th (British Columbia) Battalion 50th (Calgary) Battalion 10th Light Trench Mortar Battery 10th Canadian Machine-Gun Company |
| Brigadier-General Victor Odlum | 11th Canadian Infantry Brigade | 54th (Kootenay) Battalion 75th (Mississauga) Battalion 87th (Canadian Grenadier Guards) Battalion 102nd (Northern British Columbia) Battalion 11th Light Trench Mortar Battery 11th Canadian Machine-Gun Company |
| Brigadier-General James MacBrien | 12th Canadian Infantry Brigade | 38th (Ottawa) Battalion 72nd (Seaforth Highlanders of Canada) Battalion 73rd (Royal Highlanders of Canada) Battalion 78th (Winnipeg Grenadiers) Battalion 85th (Nova Scotia Highlanders) Battalion 12th Light Trench Mortar Battery 12th Canadian Machine-Gun Company |
| Troops attached to 4th Canadian Division ||||
| Brigadier-General G. H. Sanders (2nd Divisional Artillery) | 41st Brigade, Royal Field Artillery | 9th Field Battery 16th Field Battery 17th Field Battery 47th Howitzer Battery |
| Brigadier-General G. H. Sanders (2nd Divisional Artillery) | 36th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery | 36th Field Battery 48th Field Battery 71st Field Battery D Howitzer Battery |
| | 18th (Army) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery | A Field Battery 59th Field Battery 91st Field Battery D Howitzer Battery |
| | 76th (Army) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery | A Field Battery B Field Battery C Field Battery D Howitzer Battery |
| | 242nd (III South Midland) (Army) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery | A Field Battery B Field Battery C Field Battery D Howitzer Battery |
| | | F Special Company, Royal Engineers M Special Company, Royal Engineers N Special Company, Royal Engineers |
British 5th Division (attached from I Corps) (Major-General R. B. Stephens) :
| Commander | Formation | Unit | Notes |
| (Divisional Troops) | | 205th Machine-Gun Company | Attached to 4th Canadian Division |
| N/A (5th Divisional Artillery) | 15th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery | D (Howitzer) Battery 52nd Battery 81st Battery A Battery | Attached to 2nd Canadian Division |
| N/A (5th Divisional Artillery) | 27th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery | 37th (Howitzer) Battery 119th Battery 120th Battery 121st Battery | Attached to 2nd Canadian Division |
| N/A (5th Divisional Artillery) | | 5th Divisional Ammunition Column | Attached to 2nd Canadian Division |
| N/A (5th Divisional Artillery) | 5th Division Trench Mortar | V Canadian Heavy Trench Mortar Battery X Canadian Trench Mortar Battery Y Canadian Trench Mortar Battery Z Canadian Trench Mortar Battery | |
| N/A (5th Divisional Artillery) | | 5th Divisional Train | |
| N/A | 5th Divisional Engineers | 59th Field Company, Royal Engineers 491st (2nd Home Counties) Field Company, Royal Engineers 527th (2nd Durham) Field Company, Royal Engineers 5th Division Signal Company 1st/6th (Renfrewshire) Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (Pioneers) | |
| Brigadier-General L. O. W. Jones | 13th Infantry Brigade | 2nd Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers 1st Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment 14th (1st Birmingham) Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment 15th (2nd Birmingham) Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment 13th Machine-Gun Company 13th Light Trench Mortar Company | Attached to 2nd Canadian Division |
| Brigadier-General Lord Esme Gordon-Lennox | 95th Infantry Brigade | 1st Battalion, Devonshire Regiment 1st Battalion, East Surrey Regiment 1st Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry 12th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment 95th Machine-Gun Company 95th Light Trench Mortar Company | |
| Brigadier-General M. N. Turner | 15th Infantry Brigade | 16th (3rd Birmingham) Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment 1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment 15th Machine-Gun Company 15th Light Trench Mortar Company | |

## Central Powers forces

German Sixth Army commander General Ludwig von Falkenhausen had 20 divisions (plus reserves) responsible for the Cambrai–Lille sector. Vimy Ridge itself was principally defended by the ad hoc Gruppe Vimy formation under the I Bavarian Reserve Corps commander General der Infanterie Karl von Fasbender. A division of Gruppe Souchez, under the VIII Reserve Corps commander, General Georg Karl Wichura, was also involved in the front-line defence along the northernmost portion of the ridge.
Three divisions were ultimately responsible for manning the front-line defences opposite the Canadian Corps. The 16th Bavarian Infantry Division was located opposite the town of Souchez and responsible for the defence of the northernmost section of the ridge. The division had been created in January 1917 from existing Bavarian formations and had so far only opposed the Canadian Corps. The 79th Reserve Division was responsible for the defence of the central section, including the highest point of the ridge, Hill 145. The 79th Reserve Division had fought for two years on the Eastern Front and was transferred to the Vimy sector at the end of February 1917. The 1st Bavarian Reserve Division had been in the Arras area since October 1914 and was holding the villages of Thélus, Bailleul and the southern slope of the ridge.

### I Bavarian Reserve Corps

Gruppe Vimy – I Bavarian Reserve Corps (General der Infanterie Karl Ritter von Fasbender) :
| Corps level troops ||||
| Commander | Formation | Unit | Notes |
| | 9th Field Artillery Regiment | | |
| | 69th Field Artillery Regiment | 1st Battery 3rd Battery | |
| | 25th Reserve Field Artillery Regiment | 3rd Battery | |
| | 66th Reserve Field Artillery Regiment | 4th Battery 6th Battery | |
79th Reserve Division (Lieutenant-General Ernst August Marx von Bacmeister) :
| Commander | Formation | Unit | Notes |
| Colonel Bleidorn (79th Reserve Field Artillery Brigade) | 63rd Reserve Field Artillery Regiment | 2nd Battery 3rd Battery 8th Battery | |
| N/A (Cavalry Squadron) | | | |
| N/A (Engineers) | | | |
| N/A (Medical) | | | |
| Lieutenant-General Alfred Dieterich (79th Reserve Brigade) | 261st Reserve Infantry Regiment | 1st Battalion 2nd Battalion 3rd Battalion | |
| Lieutenant-General Alfred Dieterich (79th Reserve Brigade) | 262nd Reserve Infantry Regiment | 1st Battalion 2nd Battalion 3rd Battalion | |
| Lieutenant-General Alfred Dieterich (79th Reserve Brigade) | 263rd Reserve Infantry Regiment | 1st Battalion 2nd Battalion 3rd Battalion | |
| Troops attached to 79th Reserve Division ||||
| (56th Infantry Division) | 118th Reserve Infantry Regiment | 1st Battalion | Battle reinforcement, sent on 9 April |
| (80th Infantry Division) | 34th Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment | 3rd Battalion | Battle reinforcement, sent on 9 April |
1st Bavarian Reserve Division (Major-General Friedrich Freiherr von Pechmann) :
| Commander | Formation | Unit | Notes |
| Colonel Graf von Zech auf Neuhofen (13th Bavarian Artillery Command) | 1st Bavarian Reserve Field Artillery Regiment | | |
| N/A (Cavalry Squadron) | 3rd Chevauxleger Regiment | 3rd Squadron | |
| N/A (Engineers) | | 17th Bavarian Pioneer Battalion 1st Bavarian Reserve Pioneer Company 3rd Bavarian Reserve Pioneer Company 7th Bavarian Reserve Pioneer Company 201 Trench Mortar Company 1st Bavarian Reserve Searchlight Section 401st Bavarian Telephone Detachment | |
| N/A (Medical) | | 15th Bavarian Ambulance Company 45th Bavarian Field Hospital 48th Bavarian Field Hospital 49th Bavarian Field Hospital Veterinary Hospital | |
| Major-General Lamprecht (1st Bavarian Reserve Infantry Brigade) | 1st Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment | 1st Battalion 2nd Battalion 3rd Battalion | |
| Major-General Lamprecht (1st Bavarian Reserve Infantry Brigade) | 3rd Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment | 1st Battalion 2nd Battalion 3rd Battalion | |
| Troops attached to 1st Bavarian Reserve Division ||||
| (17th Division) | 225th Infantry Regiment | 1st Battalion | Battle reinforcement, sent on 9 April |

### VIII Reserve Corps

Gruppe Souchez – VIII Reserve Corps (General der Infanterie Georg Karl Wichura) :
| Corps level troops ||||
| Commander | Formation | Unit | Notes |
16th Bavarian Infantry Division (Major-General Arnold Ritter von Mohl) :
| Commander | Formation | Unit | Notes |
| Major-General Treutlein-Mordes (16th Bavarian Artillery Command) | 8th Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment | 3rd Battery | |
| N/A (Cavalry Squadron) | | | |
| N/A (Engineers) | | | |
| N/A (Medical) | | | |
| Major-General Lamprecht (9th Bavarian Infantry Brigade) | 11th Bavarian Regiment | 1st Battalion 2nd Battalion 3rd Battalion | |
| Major-General Lamprecht (9th Bavarian Infantry Brigade) | 14th Bavarian Regiment | 1st Battalion 2nd Battalion 3rd Battalion | 1st Battalion used as battle reinforcements, 2nd Battalion kept in reserve |
| Major-General Lamprecht (9th Bavarian Infantry Brigade) | 21st Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment | 1st Battalion | Battle reinforcements, remainder of regiment not committed |
| Troops attached to 16th Bavarian Infantry Division ||||
| (4th Guards Division) | 5th Grenadier Guard Regiment | Fusilier Battalion | Battle reinforcements |
| (4th Guards Division) | 93rd Reserve Infantry Regiment | 1st Battalion | Battle reinforcements |