MT ypres

The Western Front 1914/18: Belgium
The Ypres Salient and Passchendaele
Mini-Tour - Three days / Two nights

TENTATIVE ITINERARY	NIGHTSTOP

DAY ONE - WEDNESDAY
Departing London early (07.00) we drive to Dover and cross the Channel. Our first stop is only a few miles inland at the hill-top town of Cassel. Marshall Foch made this his HQ, as later did Plummer for the 2nd Army, and the statue of the former dominates the brow of the hill. It's the ideal place to get a magnificent overview of the Western Front battlefields. We cross the border into Belgium. Poperinge was sufficiently far enough behind the lines to become a rest and recreation point, as well as a major supply depot. Here, as part of a walking tour recreating the soldier's behind-the-lines life we'll visit the famed Talbot House (Toc H) and later the moving condemned cell where deserters, real and imagined, and others in breach of military law were kept before being taken and shot at dawn. The execution post still stands as a grisly reminder. As we drive towards the front lines at Ypres we'll visit one of the many Commonwealth War Graves to see the grave and headstone of Chavasse VC, the only man to win two Victoria Crosses. We'll complete our first day with a visit to another of the 'silent cities' , where we'll find the dressing station where John McCray wrote his memorable 'In Flande's Field' poem.	Ypres, Belgium
DAY TWO - THURSDAY
Today we spend the day visiting sites of battles the names of which are etched into our memories, walking parts of the battlefields with our expert guide, seeing trench remains, bunkers and fortifications, memorials and important grave sites. You'll also be going into some incredible private museums, and probably picking up the odd old ordinance yourself as it lies besides the road; part of the annual 'iron harvest' cleared by farmers. Highlights will be the sites of significance to Canadians such as Vancouver Corner (the first gas attack), Monte Sorrel and Mont-St Eloi. Then there's the Messines Ridge, taken by New Zealanders, and where Hitler served (we'll see his 'bunker'). Australians will want to see Polygon Wood and the Tunneller's memorial at Hill 60, The sites are innumerable; Plug Street, Sanctuary Wood, Hooge Crater, Wytschaete Ridge, Hell Fire Corner , Shrapnel Corner, Railway Wood, the Menin Road, Langemark, Bozinge If our visit coincides with a 'dig', we'll also see 'the Diggers' at work. These are a group of local archaeologist who are working to preserve newly-found sections of battlefield. Tonight, we attend the solemn ceremony of the 'Last Post' at the Menin Gate. This will prove one of the most moving moments you'll ever experience.	Ypres, Belgium
DAY THREE - FRIDAY
We'll start our day with some time in Ypres itself. Some may wish to visit the modern interpretative centre 'In Flander's Field' museum, others St George's Chapel, or perhaps the 'Better 'ole' bookshop. Leaving Ypes, we make our way to Passchendaele, site of Tyne Cot, the largest British military Cemetery in the world, on the site of the greatest carnage. Continuing towards the coast we reach Diksmuide. Here we see 'le boyau de morts' trenches of death, the sombre Vladslo Germany cemetery and fittingly complete our trenches experience with the Peace Tower. We cross the channel and return to London by approximately 7pm.
NOTE: Includes: three days touring, two night's accommodation with breakfasts and dinners, all entrance fees including channel crossing, and services of driver/guide and companion. Can only be booked with Back-Roads Touring Co. directly.