Cote70 © Odile Zibret City Of Loos En GohelleIn August 1917, the objective for the Allies was to inflict heavy casualties on German troops, fix the enemy near the town of Lens, and relieve the British effort at Passchendaele in Belgium.
During this battle, the Canadian Corps attacked and quickly captured Hill 70, from which troops were able to establish defensive positions and repel German counterattacks.
Coast 70 © Isabelle Pilarowski Wellington Quarry
coast 70However, the British attempt to capture Lens would fail with significant casualties among the Canadian ranks and it would not be until October 1918 that the town was retaken by British troops.
To honour the sacrifice of Canadian soldiers during the fighting in the summer of 1917, the Coast 70 Canadian Memorial Park was created and opened to the public in August 2017.
The site is located at the starting trench of the Canadian Expeditionary Force troops during the assault for Hill 70.
Entering the site, the visitor begins by climbing a curved path that rises in a gradual slope on which are engraved 1,877 maple leaves. Each represents a Canadian soldier who lost his life in the attack.
Further along, in the center of the park, the path leads to the Arthur Currie Amphitheatre and then Frederick Lee Lane leads to the top of the hill where the obelisk sits, the true centerpiece of the park representing the victory of the Canadian Corps during this battle.
coast 70
coast 70
