verdun and and the great war battlefields of the american doughboys

VERDUN
and The Great War Battlefields of the American Doughboys
4 days / 3 nights - Tuesday to Friday

TENTATIVE ITINERARY	NIGHTSTOP
DAY ONE - Tuesday
If you're joining on this day one, then you'll travel from London on the 07.00 Eurostar train. You can, however, arrive either on the prior evening, or combine this tour with our weekend tour of the Ypres Salient and the Somme. We depart Lille at approximately 09.45. Our first visit of the day is to the Clairiere De L'Armistice museum at Compiegne that contains many of the original artefacts hidden from the Germans during WW2 and also a replica of the railway carriage in which the armistice was signed . Immediately south is the first of the USA battlefields we'll visit on this tour and begin with Coulonges-Cohan where we'll find Quentin Rooosevelt's crash site and memorial. Next, to Fere-en-Tardenois. This village was much fought over. For a month in September 1914 it was the British HQ, then was a French army centre. During German occupation in 1918 the Kaiser reviewed troops here and finally in 1918 it became General 'Black Jack' Pershing's HQ. We'll see surviving buildings and the nearby Oise-Aisne American Cemetery. Next, to Chateau-Theirry, First Battle of the Marne and first American offensive. Nearby is the Hill 204 magnificent memorial. Belleau Wood is another major US battlefield covered with many interesting American memorials, including those to the US26th Division, and US Marines. Overnight in Epernay where we'll enjoy a relaxed evening in this wonderful capital city of the Champagne district.	Epernay
DAY TWO - Wednesday
Beyond Rheims lies the most sacred battlefield of France - Verdun - and the regions, with Chateau Theirry, of the greatest American contribution in 1918 - the Meuse, and Argonne. Amongst our highlights are Crown Prince Wilhelm's forest bunker, Varene-en-Argonne with the Pennsylvania State memorial and the Musee d'Argonne with the museum of mine warfare. At the Butte de Vauquois you'll see a site that probably defines more than any other along the entire Western front the sheer destructiveness of the war. The village of Vauquois sat atop this 290 metre hill. Now, not only is there no sign of the village but the entire hill is hollowed out as a result of mining and bombing. Restored French and German tunnels and trenches are visited. Also in the area we'll see the Memorial to the US 35th Division and men of Missouri, and hear about 'The Lost Battalion'. Also, Memorial Chapel of the 315th Infantry Division, and the American Memorial at the Butte de Montfaucon. Finally, on our approach to Verdun, we'll see the Mort Homme with its famed inscription 'They Have Not Passed'.	Verdun
DAY THREE - Thursday
We start the day by visiting the deserted but mostly intact Fort Tavannes, then we will move on to Fort Vaux, where the defenders held out for a month against all odds and in hellish conditions and we stop at the museum at Fleury. Later, we tour Fort Douaumont, the keystone of the Verdun defences which we explore inside and out. Visits to the tragic and moving Tranche de Bayonettes, the French National cemetery and Ossuary, with its views over the battlefield, and Driant's command post in the Bois de Caures complete our amazing day. Tonight we'll enjoy an evening in the attractive town of Verdun itself.	Verdun
DAY FOUR - Friday
We'll first explore the American battlefields. St Mihiel is perhaps the most important site of the day. Here, in September 1918, the US First Army finally eliminated the St Mihiel salient and captured over 200 square miles of enemy-held territory. There's another impressive American memorial and one nearby at Montsec, which we'll see. We'll then spend some time in the Bois d'Ailly where hidden in the woods is an extensive trench system, with many bunkers and shelters. We return to Lille later this afternoon by the most direct route. Those staying on for the weekend tours of the Ypres Salient/Somme battlefields will stay in Lille. Those returning to London will catch the evening Eurostar train to London, arriving at approximately 21.00.
WEEKEND EXTENSION - take one, two or three days Saturday The Somme and Arras Battlefields, including Vimy Ridge Overnight: Ypres, Belgium Sunday The Somme and Arras Battlefields, including Vimy Ridge Overnight: Ypres, Belgium Monday The Arras & Artois Battlefields, including Vimy Ridge Full Extension cost: £295 per person in twin share occupancy