Press Release 2

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release

November 2006

ANZACs ON THE SOMME TOUR

A three-day tour visiting ANZAC Great War battlefield sites on the Somme, France, is being offered in 2007 by small group tour specialist, Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd.

The ANZAC forces were undoubtedly amongst the bravest of all troops in this 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. Unsurprisingly, ANZAC troops suffered the greatest percentage of casualties to men employed than any other allied army. In fact, nearly sixty-five percent of all of the 417,000 ANZAC First World War combatants were killed or injured. It is not often appreciated that the Aussies and Kiwis lost more men on the Somme than at Gallipoli.

The tour, which departs from London (Eurostar to Lille) and spends two nights in Ypres, Belgium, concentrates on the sites of major significance to both the Australian Imperial Force and New Zealand forces. The battlefields of Poziers, Moquet Farm, Bullecourt ('the blood tub') Fromelles, and the New Zealand memorials at Flers and on the Messines Ridge are also included. When possible the Franco-Australian Museum at the local 'Victoria' school in Villers Bretonneux and the National memorial at Le hamel are also included. In the Ypres Salient, Passchendaele and Hill 60 are amongst the significant visits.

Participants explore the preserved trenches at Beaumont Hamel and the underground tunnels of Vimy Ridge, search for battlefield souvenirs that still lie about with a battlefield specialist guide.

Places on Back-Roads Touring Co.'s tour are limited to 12 persons and cost from £299 per person in a twin share accommodation, inclusive of channel crossing and entrance fees.

A full itinerary can be found on the company's web site http:// www.backroadstouring.co.uk/

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Further information:
Bruce Cherry Tel: +44 (0)20 8566 5312 Email: bruce@backroadstouring.co.uk