The victory at Vimy Ridge, France, remains Canada’s most storied attack of the First World War. Beginning on April 9, 1917, all four Canadian divisions advanced side-by-side for the first time in a single attack. But the victory came at a cost: During four days of fighting, Canada suffered more than ten thousand casualties. Today, war letters offer a window on that long-ago time. Here, in their own words, are the stories of the soldiers who fought, and the loved ones back home who cherished them.

Music credits: 

• Stories Behind the History theme music: "The Red River Jig" performed by Alex Kusturok, licensed from the artist. 
• Opening Theme: “The Planets, Op. 32; Jupiter,” by Gustav Holst, 1914–1916
• William Bell: “Keep the Home Fires Burning,” by Ivor Novello, lyrics by Lena Guilbert Ford, 1914
• B.R. Empey: “Symphony No. 3; A Pastoral Symphony,” by Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1922
• Maurice Bracewell: “The Planets, Op. 32; Saturn,” by Gustav Holst, 1914–1916
• George Broome / Violet Moyer: “Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95; From the New World,” by Antonín Dvořák, 1893
• Sydney Winterbottom: “Good Luck to the Boys of the Allies,” by Morris Manley, 1915
• Sydney Winterbottom: “Scotland the Brave” – Traditional, Early twentieth century
• Frank J. Whiting: “Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36; Var. IX – Nimrod,” by Edward Elgar, 1898–1899
• Frank J. Whiting: “The Last Post” – Military, seventeenth century
• End Credits: “The Lark Ascending,” by Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1914 (Revised 1920)