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Visits to the Battlefields, Museums,
War Cemeteries, and other places
of interest connected with W.W.1.
Note:- Thumbnail images should open
to large images
In 2008 our trips will concentrate on the Somme Battlefields and
also the
Ypres Salient, We can also accommodate limited visits to
the battlefields of
Arras,
Vimy Ridge and Loos if these are
requested.
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(Click for larger image)
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Our hotel is situated on the outskirts of the city of Lille, right next to the major motorway system which links all the
large cities in Northern France, where we spend four nights on a
bed and full continental breakfast basis, with battlefield lunches
also being provided during the two Somme visits on the Saturday
and Sunday.
The hotel is situated about one and a half hours drive
from the port of Calais, and our departure port is Dover.
NO OVERNIGHT TRAVEL.
5 Days - 4 Nights SOMME & YPRES
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BASIC ITINERARY.
This is only the basic itinerary, the final one is planned around
the areas and places which people have requested when booking.
We spend a full day in the Ypres Salient visiting Tyne Cot
Cemetery, the infamous Hill 60, the village of Passchendaele,
Sanctuary Wood preserved trenches and museum, the impressive Cloth
Hall, and St Georges Memorial Chapel. We will also visit the grave
of
Captain Noel Chavasse, medical officer to the 1/10th Kings
Liverpool Regiment (The Liverpool Scottish) the only man to win
two Victoria Crosses in the First World War.
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Capt Noel Chavasse
(Click for larger image)
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We will visit the
Brooding Canadian at Vancouver corner, this Memorial was
constructed to honour the 2,000 Canadian soldiers who fell during
the first gas attack of the war, which was launched by the Germans
during the afternoon of the 22nd April 1915, this gas attack
signalled the opening of the second battle of Ypres, finally we
will return to the town of Ypres to watch “Last Post Ceremony” at
the
Menin Gate, before returning to the hotel. (Click for larger
image)
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We spend two full days visiting the Somme battlefield - Albert
with its Golden Virgin, Thiepval and its exhibition centre, the
Ulster tower, Newfoundland battlefield park, the Lochnagar crater,
(this is the largest preserved mine crater on the western front)
which is now owned by an Englishman named Richard Dunning, and it
is administered by the friends of Lochnagar.
(Click for larger image)
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We will also visit the
village of Longueval, the infamous Delville wood (known to the
soldiers as Devil Wood) sited here in the centre of the wood is
the impressive South African Memorial.
(Click for larger image)
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We will then see the
dreaded High Wood, and learn about the tragic Cavalry charge here
in the afternoon of 14th July 1916, we will also visit the
poignant Welsh Dragon, the Memorial to the 38th Welsh Division,
close to the spot where the division suffered terrible losses in
their two attacks on Mametz Wood.
We will also pass through the strategically important German held
villages of Pozieres and Serre, the Australians suffered 23,500
casualties fighting in and around the village of Pozieres and
Mouquet farm, and the pals battalions from the towns and villages
of northern England, suffered terrible losses on the 1st July
1916, when they attacked the small but strategically important
farming
village of Serre.
(Cemetery and Memorial visits as requested at the time of
booking).
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On the final morning, with our cases packed and ready for
departure, we set off for the port of Calais, on the way we will
visit
Vimy ridge, it was here on the site of their greatest
achievement during the First World War, where the Canadians built
their National Memorial to their 11,000 missing soldiers in
France, on the highest point on the ridge (Point 145).
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Vimy Ridge Memorial
(click for larger photo)
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The ridge was taken by the Canadians after ferocious fighting
between the 9th and the 13th of April 1917, during the battle of
Arras, where they suffered over 10,000 casualties, the allies held
onto this very valuable position for the remainder of the war, we
will also visit the preserved trenches which are situated lower
down the ridge, before heading for Calais, and our early afternoon
ferry back home.
(Cemetery and Memorial visits as requested at the time of
booking).
Tour dates for 2008.
14th - 15th - 16th - 17th - 18th August
11th - 12th - 13th - 14th – 15th September
25th - 26th - 27th - 28th - 29th September
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Contact Joe Street at this address -
joe1944@btinternet.com
"Copyright
Les Parkin © 2007. All rights reserved."
The written INFORMATION on this page is the property of Joe street
http://koyli.com/
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