Preparing for Battle

February 18th, 1917
  The Canadian Corps have been ordered by Britain to go into battle against the Germans at Vimy Ridge.  Accomplishing this is going to be an incredibly difficult task.  We must start training immediately, and we should be well prepared for the battle before it begins.  Every soldier will be given maps of the battlefield so that we can study the area we will be fighting in.  We will also be studying replicas of the battlefield so we know fully what we are going to have to do in order to capture this position.  We must train throughout the entire winter, no matter how cold it is, and how harsh the conditions get.
  In additon to training for this battle, several soldiers who have either volunteered, or been selected at random, will be going on raids of the German trenches to gain useful intelligence.  We will also be digging underground tunnel systems for such uses as storage, headquarters, and communication centres.
  On behalf of myself and the entire Canadian military and governent, we wish you all a successful preparation for battle over the next few months of winter.
  - Arthur Currie - Commander of the First Canadian Division