anzacs on the somme tour, a great war battlefield tour following the aif 1916 to 1918

ANZACS ON THE SOMME (WESTERN FRONT)
A Great War Battlefield Tour following the AIF 1916 to 1918
6 days / 5 nights - Sunday to Friday
See also Day Tours from London

The Australian and New Zealand men who fought in the First World War were undoubtedly amongst the bravest of all troops in the theatre of war. Their ferocious tenacity gained them the distinction of being used as 'shock troops', and given the most difficult of attacks to make. It is not surprising that ANZAC troops suffered the greatest percentage of casualties to men employed than any other allied army. In fact, 64.8% of all of the 417,000 ANZAC combatants were killed or injured in the Great War. And it is not often realised that the Aussies lost more men at Poziers and Bullecort than at Gallipoli. Australian Soldier

This tour explores the ANZAC battlefields, museums, memorials and cemeteries of the Western Front. It is an experience that is never forgotten. It is an experience that ranks with a visit to Gallipoli. It is an experience all Australian and New Zealanders should have.

You're accompanied on this tour by a specialist battlefield guide who will explain all of the many aspects of the Great War, from the military tactics to the everyday life of the trench soldier.

TENTATIVE ITINERARY	NIGHTSTOP

DAY ONE - Sunday
Depart London Waterloo on the Eurostar and you'll meet your local transport and guide on arrival at Lille. Today, we explore the Ypres Salient and Messines Ridge in Belgium. We'll travel up the line via 'Plug Street' to the Messines Ridge. This is an important site for both New Zealand and Australian troops who distinguished themselves in the 1917 battle for the ridge. The main Kiwi memorial is here, as are original bunkers and gun emplacements. You'll also see where Adolf Hitler lived when he served as a corporal and runner in this sector. Our ANZAC battlefield experience continues with a walk around the incredible pock-marked, moonscape of Hill 60 where we'll see the memorial to the Australian tunnelers. You'll also be visiting Polygon Wood and Poelcappelle where ANZACs played such an important role in the 1917 Passchendaele battle, the Tyne Cot bunker and memorial where a VC was won, and where the first Australian casualty was sustained. Our amazing first day finishes with the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate.	Ypres
DAY TWO - Monday
Our first stop is at Arras where we'll visit the underground 'city' that was home to troops throughout the war. Our second and main visit of the day will be to the battlefield of Poziers. This was a turning point in the 1916 battle of the Somme. It was the first major engagement for the Aussie troops, and the first ever use of tanks in a battlefield. You'll see amazing recreated trenches, Moquet Farm, Courcelette, the 'silent city' of Australian graves, and hear the story of the battle standing on the 'Gibralter' redoubt. So significant and historic was this engagement that it was a handful of soil from Poziers that was thrown onto the grave of the Unknown Soldier at Canberra in 1993.	Albert
DAY THREE - Tuesday
Today, we visit Villers Bretonneux Le Hamel. It was here that the great German push of 1918 - one that very nearly bought it final victory - was finally countered and broken. The AIF played a crucial role in defending the line and village here. Here we'll find the huge and inspiring Australian National Memorial, honouring all those who died during the war. The view from the bell-tower covers the entire battlefield. Perhaps even more impressive, in its own way, is the Franco-Australian Museum at the local 'Victoria' school. Next, you'll visit Le Hamel park, established by the Australian government, with its marble wall memorial and traces of trenches. Don't be surprised when you pick up old shell casings in the fields here!	Albert
DAY FOUR - Wednesday
Today, you'll tour the main Somme front line as it was on July 1st, 1916. Known as the 'first day of the Somme', nearly 60,000 British and Imperial forces we're killed on this disastrous day. You'll see the La Boiselle mine crater, the Thiepval Memorial to the missing and tour the incredible preserved battlefield of Beaumont Hamel. Kiwis will find the New Zealand memorial at Flers poignant and all will find the South African memorial and museum at Longueval heart-rending. You'll also visit the Underground Albert museum.	Albert
DAY FIVE - Thursday
We travel south to Peronne and Mont St. Quentin, where the Australian troops distinguished themselves in September 1918 in overcoming one of the last strong points of the Hindenburg defences. Three VCs were awarded for actions during this battle. We'll also visit the Chateau Historial de Peronne Museum and later Cambrai.	Albert
DAY SIX - Friday
Today, an early start as we follow the Aussies through the battles at Bullecourt (known as 'the blood tub'), Guillemont Corbies and Rancourt. There are memorials at each site, including the evocative 'digger' memorial. Then to one of the most remarkable sites on the Western Front in this region, the battlefield and tunnels of Vimy Ridge. This site has special significance for the Canadians but other imperial troops also fought here. Further up the Western Front we come to Frommels. Here we find one of the most inspiring of the Australian memorials - the Digger carrying his mate to safety. We make our way back to Lille for our return to London on Eurostar. Your tour completes on arrival at Waterloo.	London (not inc. in tour price)