5-Day Break

Day 1 – Local departure by coach, then to Belgium for a four-night stay.
Day 2 – Battlefields of Neuve-Chapelle & Battle of Aubers Ridge (included). We start on the battlefields of Neuve-Chapelle, scene of the first British Offensive of the war in March 1915. We take a gradual walk across the attack route passing the former No Man’s Land, seeing the battlefield cemeteries and ending at the church. We then visit the Indian Corps Memorial, looking at the role of Indian troops in the battle. At the Le Touret Memorial we see the names of those missing in action, and then go into Bethune for lunchtime. In the afternoon we look at the Battle of Aubers Ridge, seeing the Cinder Track at Richebourg,
and travelling to Aubers village on the crest of the ridge, ending at Fromelles, scene of bitter fighting on 9th May 1915, seeing the memorials, battlefield sites and the new military cemetery created following
extensive archaeological work here in 2008/9. B
Day 3 – In Flanders Fields (included). Today we are in Flanders Fields following the fighting in the Second Battle of Ypres – the first time gas was used on the Western Front. We start in the French sector, visiting the memorial at Boesinghe, before going to Langemarck. At Vancouver Corner we see the moving Canadian ‘Brooding Soldier’ memorial, and visit the grave of one of the youngest soldiers at Poelcapelle. Lunchtime at Hooge. In the afternoon take a short walk on Bellewaarde Ridge, seeing the unique Royal Engineers grave and the Liverpool Scottish. We then visit Hill 60, where four Victoria Crosses were awarded in one day in 1915, and see evidence of mining activity. At Essex Farm we look at the story of Canadian poet John McCrae who wrote ‘In Flanders Fields’ here in May 1915. We end at Ypres Reservoir Cemetery for the story of Knott Brothers and Colonel Geddes, whose men held the
ground near Ypres in 1915. In the evening we have free time at Ypres and attend the Last Post at the Menin Gate. B
Day 4 – Battle of Loos (included). We begin at Givenchy, on the left flank of the Battle of Loos, and then see the site of the infamous Cuinchy Brickstacks At Auchy les Mines we walk across the Hohenzollern Redoubt battlefield, seeing the new 46th Division memorial and Quarry Cemetery. In Vermelles we visit
the cemetery, made in the grounds of the old château with many casualties from the Battles of Loos buried here. Lunchtime nearby. In the afternoon we go to St. Mary’s ADS Cemetery, and discover
the story of Rudyard Kipling’s son, Jack. At Le Rutoire Farm we look at the VC Action of Sergeant Harry Wells of the Royal Sussex Regiment and then visit Dud Corner Cemetery and the Loos Memorial.
We end the day at Notre Dame de Lorette, scene of heavy fighting involving French troops in May 1915, seeing the huge national cemetery with more than 44,000 graves and the memorial and ossuary. B
Day 5 – To Calais, then return home. B

B=Breakfast

Accommodation
You will stay for four nights at a 3-star hotel in the Ypres/Lo area of Belgium. Your hotel will have a restaurant and bar and all bedrooms will have T.V. and telephone.

Extras
Optional Excursions.
Single room supplement £79.

Travel Insurance from Standard £29.95

Prices are per person, based on two sharing. Named accommodation may be changed if necessary by the tour operator. If this is the case you will be advised of all new details at time of enquiry. All holidays and prices are subject to availability and changes.