August 23, 2017. Loos-en-Gohelle, France. The Centennial Commemoration of the Battle of Hill 70 took place at the Hill 70 Memorial Park in Loos-en-Gohelle, France on August 22. The Hill 70 Memorial Park was officially opened to the public yesterday.
On August 15-25, 1917, the Canadian Corps battled the German army near Lens, France. The objective was to relieve pressure on allied forces at Passchendaele and to seize high ground - Hill 70. Canadian forces were successful, capturing Hill 70 and holding it against counterattacks - at an immense cost of almost 9000 soldiers killed or wounded.
Corporal Filip Konowal, a Ukrainian Canadian, was one of six Canadians awarded the Victoria Cross for his valour at the Battle of Hill 70. A Konowal Walk is part of the Hill 70 Memorial.
Lieutenant General Paul Wynnyk, CMM, MSM, CD, Commander of the Canadian Army, spoke at the ceremony. "Though the Battle of Hill 70 may not be as well-known as some other battles of the First World War, it was a symbolic milestone for our country," stated Lieutenant General Wynnyk. "The bravery, ingenuity and tactical skills of those soldiers of that day are still displayed by our soldiers that are serving in the Canadian Forces today. What an amazing legacy."
Several members of Corporal Konowal's family, including his granddaughter Liliane Vena, took part in the commemoration. They were joined by a delegation from the Ukrainian Canadian community, led by Paul Grod, National President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) and Alexandra Chyczij, First-Vice President of the UCC. Chyczij led the UCC's fundraising efforts in support of the Hill 70 Memorial and the Konowal Walk.
Representatives of the Ukrainian communities of France, the United Kingdom and Belgium also attended the commemoration. Corporal Konowal's family and the delegation laid a wreath at the Konowal Walk.
Ms. Vena stated, "It was important for our family to come here to France to pay tribute to the memory of my grandfather Filip Konowal, and to the memory of the many thousands of Canadians who fought here with valour. This Memorial will stand as an eternal testament to their sacrifice and their bravery."
"Thank you to all of the donors whose generous support made the Hill 70 Memorial and the Konowal Walk a reality," stated Chyczij. "Your financial support ensures that the story of Hill 70 and Filip Konowal will be properly conveyed to all who visit this hallowed ground.
Corporal Konowal was born in Kutkivtsi, Ukraine in 1887, and immigrated to Canada in 1913. At the Battle of Hill 70, he was awarded the Victoria Cross "For most conspicuous bravery and leadership when in charge of a section in attack. [...] Under his able direction all resistance was overcome successfully, and heavy casualties inflicted on the enemy." Corporal Konowal was severely wounded at Hill 70. He was honourably discharged from the military in July, 1919, and died in Ottawa in June, 1959.
"The Battle of Hill 70 was one of the defining battles of WWI. For the first time, the Canadian Corps fought under the command of a Canadian, Lieutenant-General Arthur Currie," stated Captain (Retd) Andre Sochaniwsky, CD, President of the Ukrainian War Veterans Association of Canada. "Most of us are fortunate never to have known the horror of combat, and it is our duty to forever remember and honour the brave soldiers who fought here, at Hill 70, and at so many other places throughout the world to defend our way of life."
"Thousands of Canadians of Ukrainian descent served in WWI for Canada with determination and courage," stated Paul Grod. "Corporal Konowal and so many others fought heroically for the liberty and peace we enjoy today. They are an inspiration and example to us all."
Canadians played a vital role in ensuring victory in the World War I - more than 650,000 men and women served in uniform. More than 66,000 lost their lives and over 170,000 were wounded.
"The generation that served our country in WWI has left us now. It is essential that we always remember those who a century ago took up arms in defence of freedom," stated Dr. Lubomyr Luciuk, Professor at the Royal Military College of Canada, one of the initiators of the Konowal Walk. "The Hill 70 Memorial is a fitting tribute to their courage, and will be a place where future generations can come to learn about the contribution that Canadians, and Canadian heroes such as Corporal Konowal, made to victory in WWI."
We would like to express gratitude to the many donors to the Hill 70 Memorial Project from the Ukrainian Canadian community, whose generosity made this Memorial a success:
Temerty Family Foundation
Ukrainian Canadian Veteran's Fund - with the support of the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko
Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund - with the support of the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko
Petro Jacyk Education Foundation
Ihnatowycz Family Foundation
BCU Foundation
Buduchnist Credit Union
Ukrainian Credit Union Ltd
And many other individuals and organizations, including the Ukrainian War Veterans Association of Canada and the Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Association of Canada.
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Part of the Ukrainian Canadian delegation also were: the President of BCU Foundation (a major sponsor of the project) and National President of the League of Ukrainian Canadians (LUC) Roman Medyk, with two members of Luc National Executive and veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces — Ihor Kozak and Bohdan Cherniawski. The tireless promoter of the Konowal Walk, Dr. Lubomyr Luciuk, is a long-standing member of LUC-Kingston Branch.
Representing Ukraine were also leading members of a volunteer humanitarian organisation Vilni Liudy (Free People) Serhiy Kuzan and Ivan Bratsiun.
