March 1, 1917 The 4th Division launches the largest of all the Canadian raids against the German positions between the Pimple and Hill 145. This has devastating effects with 687 Canadians lost. Indeed many men and officers lose their lives during the many raids preceding April 9.

		They sent Tommy and me one night to a place where they lowered us down, by a ladder that was quite vertical, to a chalk tunnel...We tied sandbags over our boots and went, crouched on all fours, along a tunnel in solid chalk just four feet high and hardly three feet wide. At the face of it we worked in turns and fast. The chalk face was sprayed with vinegar, then one man cut it with a knife and passed back large chunks to his helper, who in turn placed them in the hands of another man near him. Thus the chalk removed was handed back and finally reached a small trolley drawn on tracks which took it to the hoist...It was amazing how far we proceeded in that one night. The man in charge forbade anyone speaking. At any moment it was possible the removal of a newly cut chunk might reveal a German dugout filled with men! For weeks afterwards my whole body would tense when I thought of that night.
		Will Bird, author of Ghosts Have Warm Hands
	Private Reginald Hector Longhurst of 73rd Battalion. After a raid near Vimy Ridge on the night of March 1, 1917, a Lieutenant of his company was reported missing. He volunteered with two others to search for the missing officer. His two comrades returned, but he did not. His body was later recovered near the enemy wire.