With specialist guides
By coach or Eurostar
All of the battlefield tours are accompanied by specialist guides. Their individual in-depth knowledge of warfare will be informative, as well as enhance your overall experience, as they recreate a fascinating perception of the history and factual events of each battle. Discover the actual catalysts for war, the strategies employed and the final, inevitable outcomes, as well as experiencing the emotional human side of the front line
ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT
Choose from a 4-day weekend break or for a slightly more in-depth tour, our 5-day mid-week short break
4-Day Break
Day 1 – Local departure by coach then onwards to Belgium or northern France for a three-night stay.
Day 2 – Battlefields of Flanders Today, we look at the battlefields around Ypres; this was the main British battlefront in World War I where more than 250,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers died. We start at the preserved trenches at Sanctuary Wood and see the museum before moving on to Tyne Cot Cemetery. In the afternoon, we head to the Messines Ridge sector and the nearby Irish Peace Tower, which commemorates the role of Irish troops from both North and South. At Ploegsteert we study the story of the Christmas Truce and see the Ploegsteert Memorial. We end the day at the ‘Last Post Ceremony’ in Ypres. Each night, at 8pm, the Last Post is played at the Menin Gate, which commemorates approximately 55,000 men who were never found. B
Day 3 – The Somme, Death of a Generation The haunting Somme battlefield is our destination today. We begin at the Historial Museum at Péronne and then to the largest British Mine Crater on the Western Front at La Boisselle. At Thiepval we visit the Memorial and the visitors’ centre then the Ulster Tower, which commemorates those from Ulster who fell on the Somme, before seeing Newfoundland Park with its preserved trenches. We end the day at Serre and see the area where war poet Wilfred Owen fought. B
Day 4 – To Calais and return home. B
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THE STORY OF ANNE FRANK AND OSCAR SCHINDLER
12-Day Break
Day 1 – Departure by coach then to the Noordwijkerhout area, near Amsterdam, for an overnight stay.
Day 2 – Anne Frank’s House Today, we follow the story of the Frank Family with a visit to Anne Frank’s House. The Frank family went into hiding in the ‘secret annexe’ of their home on 6th July 1942 and stayed for 25 months until their betrayal on 4th August 1944. The former hiding place, where Anne Frank wrote her diary, is now a museum, recounting the history of the eight people in hiding and those who helped them during the war. Anne Frank’s diary is among the original objects on display. After, we travel to the Hannover or Hahnenklee area for the night. B
Day 3 – Bergen-Belsen and Anne Frank’s Memorial Anne Frank and her sister, Margot, were taken to Bergen-Belsen concentration camp where thousands were dying of hunger and sickness daily. Today, all that remains on the site is a graveyard. We pause to pay our respects, seeing the memorial dedicated to Anne Frank and her sister, who both died at Bergen-Belsen. Onward travel to Berlin for a three-night stay. B
Day 4 – Berlin and the Final Solution We spend today in and around Berlin where we visit the Wannsee Conference Centre (entrance is approximately €2 per person and entry is subject to modern day conferences not taking place) where the infamous meeting took place that determined the ‘Final Solution’ and fate of European Jews. B
Day 5 – German Resistance and the Holocaust Memorial We see the new Holocaust monument and several sites associated with Jewish culture. This memorial is in the heart of Berlin, near the German Parliament Building and the famous Brandenburg Gate. We also spend time exploring where modern Berlin fuses with Cold War Berlin: the Allied Museum, Check Point Charlie, the remains of the Berlin Wall and Glienicke Bridge, where East and West swapped spies. B
Day 6 – We travel to Krakow for a three-night stay. B
Day 7 – The Oscar Schindler Story and Kasimirsh We visit some of the sites used by Oscar Schindler in his remarkable attempt to save the lives of his workers. Oscar Schindler spent millions to protect and save his Jews and died penniless, but he earned the everlasting gratitude of the Schindler-Jews. B
Day 8 – Auschwitz A site of great significance to the Holocaust, we visit Auschwitz, seen as the central point in the plan to exterminate a whole race. In June 1942, the biggest murder campaign in history began when the Nazis began their plot to systematically destroy the entire Jewish population of Europe. The great majority of Jews deported to Auschwitz – men, women and children – were immediately sent to their deaths in the gas chambers. An extremely moving day. B
Day 9 – We travel to Prague for an overnight stay. B
Day 10 – The Heydrich Story and Nuremberg Reinhard Heydrich was one of Hitler’s most ruthless Nazis, second in importance only to Heinrich Himmler in the SS organisation, and the principle planner of the Final Solution. We briefly cover his story as we pass through the Czech Republic. On arrival in Nuremberg, we look into the War Crimes Trials and see the court house used to administer justice to many who took part. We stay tonight in Nuremberg or Bayreuth. B
Day 11 – Travel through the Rhine Valley to Belgium for an overnight stay. B
Day 12 – To Calais, then return home. B
Included Meals: B=Breakfast
Please Note: Entrance fees to museums and places of interest are at extra cost.
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ARNHEM & THE RHINE CROSSINGS
5-Day Break
Day 1
Local departure by coach, then to our hotel in Wolfheze on the outskirts of Arnhem, Holland for a four-night stay.
Day 2 - Arnhem Landing Grounds & Oosterbeek
We start the tour at the Arnhem Airborne Museum. Located in the old Hartenstein Hotel, the building was there in 1944 and used as 1st Airborne Division’s Headquarters. Now an excellent museum of the battle, here we set the scene before travelling out to some of the landing grounds at Ginkel Heath and Wolfheze. Before lunch, we see one of the original Arnhem memorials, and in the afternoon look at the bitter fighting in the Oosterbeek perimeter – the infamous ‘Cauldron’. We see Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery; visit Oosterbeek Church; see positions held by the Border Regiment and follow the story of the ‘Lonsdale Force’, before visiting the house where General Urquhart hid during the battle.
Included meals: Breakfast
Oosterbeek Church Oosterbeek Church (2)
Key Visits
Oosterbeek Church
Arnhem Airborne Museum
Hartenstein Hotel
Landing grounds Ginkel Heath
Wolfheze
Arnhem Memorial
Arnhem Oosterbeek Cemetery
Day 3 - Arnhem Bridge & The Island
The battle of Arnhem Bridge is one of the iconic moments of Operation Market Garden and we see where the fighting took place around the bridge. After lunch in Nijmegen, we visit Jonkerbos War Cemetery before examining events on ‘The Island’ in 1944/45, looking at the fighting around the De Laar Farm, and following the so-called ‘Driel Dash’. American Airborne troops also held The Island after the battle and we see their memorial, as well as the battle scarred building where men from the Hampshire Regiment fought in October 1944.
Included meals: Breakfast
Arnhem Bridge Arnhem Bridge (2)
Key Visits
Arnhem
Nijmegen
Jonkerbos War Cemetery
De Laar Farm
Driel
US 101st AB Memorial
Day 4 - Reichswald Forest & The Rhineland
Following on from the period of static fighting during the winter of 1944/45, we begin today at the National Liberation Museum at Groesbeek to help set the scene for the battles of 1945. We also visit Groesbeek War Cemetery before looking at the fighting in Reichswald Forest, seeing the War Cemetery there - the largest British Second World War cemetery in Europe with more than 7,000 graves. After lunch in Kleve, we look at the advance on the Rhineland, examining the fighting at Xanten, Goch and the Hochwald Gap, before seeing where the Rhine crossings took place between Rees and Wesel. We end the day in the area where 6th (Airborne) Division landed during Operation Varsity.
Included meals: Breakfast
Groesbeek War Cemetery Groesbeek War Cemetery (2)
Key Visits
Groesbeek War Cemetery
National Liberation Museum
Reichswald Forest War Cemetery
Kleve
Operation Varsity
Day 5
We leave the hotel after breakfast and travel to the Channel port. You will leave your tour coach behind as you join your transfer vehicle for your return journey to your original departure point.
Included meals: Breakfast
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AT WAR WITH WELLINGTON THE PENISULA WAR
The Peninsular War-‘The Spanish Ulcer’ was a series of military campaigns fought during the Napoleonic Wars in Portugal and Spain between 1808 and 1814. Resulting in the ultimate victory of the Anglo-Portuguese and Spanish (the Allies) over the French, it contributed significantly to the downfall of Napoleon Bonaparte. Join us on this new tour exploring selected battlefields and sieges with the occasional whiff of the Sharpe novels. Well within the capabilities of most battlefield travellers this tour has been specifically designed by our Specialist Battlefield Guiding team to enable you to understand what happened where and how at selected battlefield sites and sieges.
Choose from a 14 day tour travelling out and back by coach, or a 12 day tour flying out to Madrid and then returning by coach.
14 day tour travelling out and back by coach from a local joining point
Day 1 Local departure by coach then to the Paris area for an overnight stay.
Day 2 To the Bordeaux area for an overnight stay. B,D
Day 3.Continue south into Spain and south to Madrid for an overnight stay. B,D
Day 4 Talavera 1809 This morning we visit Wellesley’s (created Viscount Wellington soon after) advanced ‘outposts’ along the banks of the Rio Alberche and hear the story of the fortified Casa de Salinas. Ascending the Cerro de Cascajal we view Wellesley’s positions on the opposite side of the Portina Brook. After lunch we visit the battlefield memorial sited on the slopes of the Cerro de Medellin Hills close to the heart of where the battle was fought and study the panorama of Wellesley's victory from the Allied perspective. We continue to Badajoz for a two night stay. B,D.
Day 5 Badajoz 1812 Badajoz, a fortified ‘gateway’ town to Spain fell to Allied troops in one of the bloodiest siege’s of the campaign on 6th April 1812. Wellington is said to have stood at a ‘breach’ in the walls and wept with grief at the sight of the many fallen. Firstly, we visit Fort San Cristobal and view the town of Badajoz below. Walking through the positions of the British siege operations we view the ‘breaches’ where the main fighting took place. On the ramparts we will study how the French and German garrison resolutely for days resisted the Allied operations. Such was the frustration of some of Wellington’s men that when the French commander surrendered the town, they went on a rampage. To quell them Wellington had a scaffold constructed. Mercifully, floggings alone sufficed. B,D
Day 6 Bloody Albuera’ 1811 The second most sanguine battle of the Peninsular War and a victory for the Allies commanded by General Beresford. Today we walk to the 'Fatal Hill' and view the sites where the principal fighting occurred. Lieutenant Colonel Inglis of the 57th West Middlesex severely wounded exhorted his men to “Die hard 57th, die hard”. Visiting the battlefield soon after, General Wellesley saw the fallen “literally lying dead in their ranks where they stood”. Amongst them were those of the 57th. In addition we see the various monuments in the town and the nearby visitors' centre. After, we drive to Salamanca for a three night stay. B,D
Day 7 Cuidad Rodrigo 1812 This morning we visit the Battlefield of Fuentes de Onoro 1811, one of Wellesley’s finest victory’s and where Captain Ramsay, Royal Horse Artillery having dallied to fire at the oncoming French with two guns, then belatedly retired with his men at the gallop amidst the French bringing their guns with them. After lunch we will walk the siege of Cuidad Rodrigo 1812 commencing from the site of the British Engineers Park interpreting what happened on the much now built over landscape. Your guide will explain the stealthy assault on the Renaud Redoubt and the events at the Main and Lesser Breaches of the town walls. Walking the ramparts our journey will end at the Castle where you will hear about ‘the question’ of ‘who’ accepted the French Governor’s surrender?. B,D
Day 8 Salamanca 1812 Today we leisurely walk selected routes of the battlefield of Salamanca. Fought amongst the hills surrounding the village of Los Arapiles on the morning of 22nd July 1812, the French General Marmont believed the Allies to be retreating. Convinced that his army could get between them and their sanctuary in Portugal it became strung out on the march for close to four miles. Wellington throwing away a chicken leg lunch commented “By God. That will do.” A decisive victory for the Allies, the respected French General Foy diarised ‘This battle is the most cleverly fought, the largest in scale, the most important in results, of any that the English have won in recent times. It brings up Lord Wellington’s reputation almost to the level of that of Marlborough.’. B,D
Day 9 Vitoria 1813 Leaving Salamanca we study the events surrounding Wellington’s 1812 “agonising’ retreat from Burgos. We view the engagements at Valladolid and Venta del Poza and learn about Wellington’s failure to invest Burgos. However, the following year he boldly outflanked the French and brought them to battle at Vitoria 1813. In the afternoon we will ascend to the position where Wellington viewed the battlefield. After looking at how Picton insubordinately rushed the Mendoza Bridge, we will then follow in the footsteps Kempt’s troops as they stormed the Tres Puentes Bridge. We drive to Pamplona where you will learn how the fortress commander was galvanised by Wellington to reluctantly surrender to the Spanish. We stay at Pamplona for one night. B,D
Day 10 Bidassoa River 1813 and storming San Sebastian Today we will stand on the bridge that Wellington wrote a despatch at the battlefield of Sorauren 1813. We will view the failure of Marshal Soult’s belated attempt to relieve San Sebastian and Pamplona. Rendered uncomfortable by the presence on the field of the Duke, Soult delayed and thus handed the advantage to Monsieur Wellington. We then follow Soult’s withdrawal north and look at how an unsupported Spanish battalion barred the way of a French army corps for two hours. What followed was the battle the Bidassoa River 1813. Walking along the river bank your guide will tell you how Wellington’s army fought its way onto French soil. After studying the bloody Storming of San Sebastian 1813, at Urrugne we will overview the battle of Nivelle 1813 and then visit the church at Arcangues, scene of the dual between the 43rd Monmouthshires and two French gun batteries during the battle of the Nive 1813. The gunners conceded abandoning 12 cannon. Then we drive to the Bayonne area for two nights. B,D
Day 11 Battle of St Pierre On the morning of 12 December 1813 while investing Bayonne, General ‘Daddie’ Hill observed the French approaching en mass. Outnumbered 3 to 1 Hill held his nerve and his ground for four critical hours. Upon his timely arrival, Hill offered Wellington control of the battle. Declining the Duke conceded “My dear Hill, the day’s your own”. So was won the Battle of St Pierre that we will visit this morning. Afterwards we will study the French Sortie from Bayonne, visit Marshal Soult’s Memorial and visit the Citadel. B,D
Day 12 Taking of Toulouse This morning we view the landscape of the Battle of Orthez 1814. In undertaking this defensive battle and facing Wellington from a strong position, Marshal Soult’s plan incorporated withdrawal rather than holding the ground should events be the least unfavourable. This he did but not without seeing Wellington slightly wounded during the proceedings. After lunch we drive to Toulouse. We study how the Allies with difficulty and at great cost wrested the city from Soult on 12th April 1814 only to discover that peace was being negotiated at Fontainebleau. We stay overnight in the Limoges area. B
Day 13 Treaties of Fontainebleau Today we travel to the Palace of Fontainebleau where your guide will explain the political circumstances surrounding both the 1807 and 1814 Treaties of Fontainbleau in relation to the Peninsular War (Entrance fee extra). Then to Paris area for an overnight stay. B
Day 14 To Calais,then return home.
Flying Start 12 Day tour.
Fly to Madrid (there is a choice of airports available- call for deatials). You will then join the tour as detailed above on Day 3 and follow the same itinerary returning to the UK by coach to either your original departure airport or one of our local joining points
Your Holiday Itinerary
Day 1 Fly from you chosen airport to Madrid where you will be met and transferred to your overnight hotel.
Days 2-12 As per days 4- 14 above.
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BATTLE OF THE BULGE
4-Day Break (five day option available)
Day 1
We make our way to the port of departure and coach interchange where you will join your tour coach for the crossing to the Continent. Upon arrival in France we travel to Belgium and our hotel for a three night stay.
Day 2 - Siegfried Line; Kampfgruppe Peiper & La Gleize
We start our tour at the massive Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery where the dead and missing of the Ardennes battlefield are buried; we learn the stories behind the many brothers who died together and are buried here, along with medal winners and those killed in some of the terrible battlefield massacres. We then move on to an area where the Battle of the Bulge started, seeing the front line positions close to the Siegfried Line at Hollerath. Here we see Dragon’s Teeth anti-tank defences, trenches and foxholes and memorials to both the German and American troops who were here in December 1944. We then follow the story of Kampfgruppe Peiper, seeing their start positions at the Losheim Gap, and looking at the sad story of the Malmedy Massacre. After lunch we follow Peiper and his tanks into La Gleize where one of his mighty King Tigers still remains and is on display; we also visit the excellent museum here before looking at the defence of Parker’s Crossroads and ending at Grandmènil where we look at a German Panther tank used by 2nd SS Panzer Division.
Included meals: Breakfast
Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery (3)
Key Visits
Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery
Malmedy Massacre site
La Gleize
Day 3 - Band of Brothers; Bastogne
We get an insight into the dreadful German losses in the Ardennes at the German cemetery in Recogne before following the ‘Band of Brothers’ in the fighting for the village of Foy. We see where they attacked Foy and go into the area where their foxholes have been preserved in Bois Jacques, also seeing the Easy Company Memorial nearby. In Bastogne we visit the new 101st Airborne Museum before having time for lunch. In the afternoon we see where General Patton’s men and tanks linked up with the Airborne troops surrounded at Bastogne before seeing one of the Sherman turrets that now mark the defence perimeter around the town. At Mardasson we see the impressive American Memorial and take time to visit the newly re-opened Bastogne Historical Centre, full of equipment, tanks and memorabilia connected with the fighting here.
Included meals: Breakfast
German cemetery, Recogne German cemetery, Recogne (4)
Key Visits
Recogne German War Cemetery
Foy
Bois Jacques
Easy Company Memorial
101st Airborne Museum
Bastogne War Museum
Maradasson Memorial
Day 4
We leave the hotel after breakfast and travel to the Channel port. You will leave your tour coach behind as you join your transfer vehicle for your return journey to your original departure point.
Included meals: Breakfast
Please Note: Entrance fees to museums and places of interest are at extra cost.
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COLDITZ, DAMBUSTERS AND THE GREAT ESCAPE
9-Day Break
Day 1 – Departure by coach then to Holland for an overnight stay.
Day 2 – Ruhr Valley and Rheinberg En route to our overnight stay in Jena, we visit the Möhne Dam, in the Ruhr Valley, which was heroically breached by the Lancasters of 617 Squadron in 1943. We also visit the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery at Rheinberg. B
Day 3 – Colditz We visit the castle and museum at Colditz (entrance and guided tour extra). Hear the story of the ‘Red Fox’, Mike Sinclair, killed on an escape attempt, and also Douglas Bader, plus many more. Then on to Dresden for some free time and a two-night stay. B
Day 4 – The Dresden Raids and Swiss Saxony Uncover the tumultuous history of the great city of Dresden. During the war it suffered almost complete destruction, but has since been painstakingly restored to its former glory. On our optional excursion to the Swiss Saxony area you will come across the Bastai, a spectacular rock formation towering 194 metres above the Elbe River. B
Day 5 – To Zagan for ‘The Great Escape’ We cross the border to visit Zagan, the Polish camp from where ‘The Great Escape’ was planned, then travel to Berlin for a two-night stay. B
Day 6 – Battle for Berlin At the Berlin War Cemetery we pause for reflection at the graves of many RAF crews shot down over the city. We also see the remains of the Anhalter Bahnhof. An equally poignant reminder of the war is the Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche (memorial church), a ruin amongst the wealth of the Ku-Damm shopping area. Join us on our optional Berlin by Night tour, where we visit the Checkpoint Charlie Museum. B
Day 7 – We cross Germany into Holland for an overnight stay in the Arnhem area. B
Day 8 – Arnhem and Dambusters To Arnhem, which was the site of the famous and controversial ‘Operation Market Garden’. We then visit the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery at Reichswald. Later, we visit Bergen-op-Zoom Cemetery. Afterwards, we travel to Steenburgen to see the famous Dambuster Memorial and the graves of Wing Commander Guy Gibson VC and Jim Warwick. Then travel to our hotel in Belgium for an overnight stay. B
Day 9 – To Calais and return home. B
Included Meals: B=Breakfast
Please Note: Entrance fees to museums and places of interest are at extra cost.
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DAMBUSTERS 75TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION TOUR 12 May 2018
Join us as we take an in depth look at The Dambusters Raid of May 1943, and honour the sacrifice of Guy Gibson VC and his crews who flew in the most iconic air operation of WW2, on the 75th Anniversary of Operation Chastise. Led by a Specialist Guide we travel from Sheffield to Germany seeing Derwent Dam, the RAF museum in Hendon, the Dambusters graves at Bergen-op-Zoom, plus visit Eder and Möhne Dam which were attacked in the raid, on this fascinating battlefield tour.
Day 1
This tour begins in Sheffield. Make you own way to our hotel in the Sheffield area where you will be staying for the night. Free car parking is available at the Leger offices in nearby Rotherham together with a free transfer service to your hotel.
Day 2 - Derwent Dam
We head to Derwent Dam in the Peak District where the Dambusters operated training flights because of its resemblance to the German dams, before travelling to former RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, the base of 617 Squadron. Here you can visit the heritage centre and see where the Dambusters flew from. We continue to our hotel in the Heathrow/Watford area.
Included meals: Breakfast
Derwent Dam Derwent Dam (2)
Key Visits
Derwent Dam
RAF Scampton
Day 3 - Hendon & Reculver
Today, we visit the RAF Museum in Hendon to see an original Lancaster Bomber, before seeing the area at Reculver in Kent where bouncing bomb testing took place. From here we travel to France and continue to Antwerp for an overnight stay
Included meals: Breakfast
Lancaster Bomber Lancaster Bomber (2)
Key Visits
Lancaster
Reculver
RAF Museum Hendon
Day 4 - Bergen op Zoom
Today we see the grave of Dambusters leader Guy Gibson VC, killed in a crash in a Mosquito in 1944. We also see Dambusters graves at Bergen op Zoom before continuing to our hotel in the Dortmund/Wuppertal area of Germany for two nights.
Included meals: Breakfast
Bergen op Zoom Bergen op Zoom (2)
Key Visits
Bergen Op Zoom
Guy Gibson Grave
Day 5 - Dambusters 75th Anniversary
Today, on 16th May – the 75th Anniversary – we visit the Dams attacked in the raid, also seeing the small museum at the Eder Dam. After dinner this evening we visit the Möhne Dam at the time the attack took place in 1943, returning to our hotel late this evening.
Included meals: Breakfast
Mohne Dam Mohne Dam (3)
Key Visits
Mohne Dam
Eder Dam
Day 6 - Rheinberg War Cemetery
We travel across Germany and visit the graves of Dambuster crews in Rheinberg War Cemetery and later, at Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, before having an overnight stay in the Arnhem area.
Included meals: Breakfast
Rheinberg War Cemetery Rheinberg War Cemetery (3)
Key Visits
Reichswald Forest War Cemetery
Rheinberg War Cemetery
Day 7
We return to the U.K today. You can choose to be dropped off at one of our Local joining points or at the Leger offices in Rotherham to collect your parked car.
Included meals: Breakfast
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D-DAY LANDINGS IN NORMANDY
4-Day Break
Day 1
Local departure by coach, then to Caen in Normandy for a three-night stay.
Day 2 - Britain’s D-Day: Pegasus Bridge & British Beaches
We start at Pegasus Bridge, the scene of the first actions of D-Day, where Airborne troops stormed the position from gliders and held on until the linkup with ground forces from Sword Beach was made. We see where the gliders landed, the Gondrée Café – arguably the first house liberated on D-Day – and visit the Memorial Pegasus Museum where the original bridge is located. In Ranville we see the Airborne graves and after lunch, proceed on to the British landing beaches, starting at Sword Beach. At Juno Beach we visit the Juno Beach Centre which explains the story of the Canadian role in the Battle of Normandy, and at Gold Beach, see where some of the heaviest casualties were suffered by British troops storming the tough defences at Asnelles. We end the day at Arromanches where the Mulberry Harbour was constructed, much of which is still visible out to sea.
Included meals: Breakfast
Pegasus Bridge Pegasus Bridge (2)
Key Visits
Arromanches
Sword Beach
Gold-Beach
Pegasus Memorial Museum
Juno Beach Centre
Day 3 - America’s D-Day: Bloody Omaha & American Airborne
The story of ‘Bloody Omaha’ and the terrible American sacrifice here on D-Day has been immortalised in the film Saving Private Ryan. Uncover the real story with a visit to the Normandy American Cemetery and Omaha Beach where the landings took place, seeing the memorial to the 29th Division. We also take time to visit the newest Normandy war museum, the Overlord Museum-Omaha Beach, before taking lunch in St. Mère Église, and then looking at the story of the US Airborne forces at the new Richard Winters Leadership Memorial; Dick Winters commanded Easy Company of 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, otherwise known as the ‘Band of Brothers’. At Utah Beach we follow the story of the successful landings and visit the expanded Utah Beach Museum. We end the day at the German Cemetery at La Cambe, where German Tank Ace Michael Wittmann is buried.
Included meals: Breakfast
Normandy American Cemetery Normandy American Cemetery (1)
Key Visits
Omaha Beach
Overlord Museum
Richard Winters Leadership Memorial
Utah Beach Museum
German Cemetery la Cambe
Normandy American Cemetery
Day 4
Return home.
Included meals: Breakfast
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FLANDERS FIELDS BRITAIN'S BASTION ON THE WESTERN FRONT
4-Day Break
Day 1
We make our way to the port of departure and coach interchange where you will join your tour coach for the crossing to the Continent. Upon arrival in France we head to Ypres in Belgium and our hotel for a three-night stay.
Day 2 - In Flanders Fields Museum; Ypres
We start our tour at the In Flanders Fields Museum in Ypres.We take time to see the displays and follow the story of someone who served in WW1 with the new interactive ‘poppy’ bracelets. We then walk down to the Menin Gate and look at the missing of Flanders and see the Ramparts of Ypres, the only surviving original feature of pre-1914 Ypres. After lunch at Hooge we see a preserved British Trench – Yorkshire Trench – and then see where the ‘Last Fighting Tommy’, Harry Patch, fought in 1917, seeing his memorial. At Langemarck we look at the German dead in Flanders and contrast this with a visit to Tyne Cot; the largest British Cemetery in the world, with its visitors’ centre. At Frezenberg we see the Scottish Memorial.
Included meals: Breakfast
Key Visits
Menin Gate
Tyne Cot
Ypres
Langemarck German Cemetery
In Flanders Fields Museum
Hooge Crater
Yorkshire Trench
Harry Patch Memorial
Frezenberg
Day 3 - Passchendaele; Messines Ridge
Today, we start at Hill 60, with its evidenced of the ‘underground war’ at Ypres and then travel to Zonnebeke and visit the Passchendaele Museum with its new system of re-created trenches. Here, you can walk through British and German trenches, go into dugouts and shelters and see the whole story of trench warfare. After lunch, we travel to the Messines Ridge, scene of mine warfare in 1917, and see some of the preserved craters at St Eloi and Spanbroekmoelen; two of the largest mine craters in Flanders. At Bayernwald we see the German trench system where Hitler fought in 1914. At Messines we visit the smallest British cemeteries in Flanders, before looking at the story of the Christmas Truce and the static front around Ploegsteert: ‘Plugstreet’ to the British, were Winston Churchill served in 1916. We end on Kemmel Hill, overlooking Flanders, where so many soldiers died in defence of Ypres.
Included meals: Breakfast
Hill 60 Hill 60 (2)
Key Visits
Ploegsteert
Passchendaele
Kemmel-Hill
Messines Ridge
Hill 60
Passchendaele War Musuem
St.Eloi Crater
Spanbroekmoelen Crater
Bayernwald Trenches
Day 4
We leave the hotel after breakfast and travel to the Channel port. You will leave your tour coach behind as you join your transfer vehicle for your return journey to your original departure point
Included meals: Breakfast
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THE RISE AND FALL OF THE THIRD REICH
12 Day Break
Day 1
Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to Belgium for an overnight stay.
Day 2
To Bad Aibling, near Munich, for a three-night stay.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 3 - Munich & Dachau
We start with the rise of National Socialism in Munich in the 1920s and Hitler’s involvement in the November 1923 Putsch. We see the Ludwig’s Bridge and Isartor, then visit the Hofbrau House where Hitler gave many of his early speeches. At the Odenplatz we see where Hitler was when war was declared in 1914. We then move on to other Third Reich sites in Munich, including the Ehrenhalle and site of the Brown House. After lunch we travel to Dachau, to look at the ‘final solution’ and one of the first Concentration Camps.
Included meals: Breakfast
Isartor Isartor (4)
Key Visits
Ludwig's Bridge
Isartor
Odenplatz
Ehrenhalle -Site of Brown House
Dachau Conccentration Camp
Day 4 - Berchtesgaden
Today we travel through Austria to the Eagle’s Nest (weather permitting), built for Hitler’s fiftieth birthday. We also take time to see the visitors’ centre and tunnels in Berchtesgarden, we look at the story of Hitler’s sister, Paula, and see the stunning war memorial murals in the main square.
Included meals: Breakfast
Eagle's Nest Eagle's Nest (3)
Key Visits
Eagle's Nest
Berchtesgaden
Day 5 - Nuremberg
We head to Nuremberg, which Hitler considered to be the ‘Capital of the Party’. Here we look at the sites connected with the many rallies of the Third Reich. We then walk to the nearby Luitpold seeing the ground where more than 150,000 National Socliasts gathered for rallies in the 1920s and 30s. Overnight in Nuremberg/Erlangen or Bayreuth area.
Included meals: Breakfast
Nuremberg Nuremberg (2)
Key Visits
Nuremberg
Day 6 - Nuremberg Trials
We look at the story of the post-war Nuremberg Trials, visiting the court where they took place and the new exhibition. The original courtroom 600 is still in use and, subject to modern-day demands, we also go into the courtroom itself. Continue to Berlin for four nights.
Included meals: Breakfast
Key Visits
Nuremberg Court & Visitor Centre
Day 7 - Berlin
In Berlin we look at the heart of the Third Reich regime starting at the Reichstag area, walking to the nearby Brandenburg Gate and go to the site of Hitler’s Bunker before visiting the ‘Topography of Terror’ exhibition. After lunch we travel to the 1936 Olympic Stadium where Jessie Owens destroyed the myth of Aryan invisibility in 1936. In the Grunewald area of West Berlin we see where decisions were made about the ‘Final Solution’ at Wansee and visit ‘Gleis 17’ the memorial site to Berlin’s Jews who were deported to the death camps in the East.
Included meals: Breakfast
Brandenburg Gate Brandenburg Gate (5)
Key Visits
Brandenburg Gate
Reichstag Building
Olympic Stadium
Holocaust Memorial
Topography of Terror
Hitlers Bunker
Wansee
Day 8 - Sachsenhausen & Ravensbrück Camps
Today we look at the establishment of Concentration Camps in Germany with a visit to Sachsenhausen just outside Berlin. This was used to detain mainly political prisoners and was used again in the Cold War. Later we travel to Ravensbrück Concentration Camp. This was a women’s camp and a number of SOE agents were killed here, including Violette Szabo GC immortalised in the film Carve Her Name With Pride. We see the Visitors' Centre and many memorials at the site of the camp.
Included meals: Breakfast
Sachsenhausen-Concentration-Camp Sachsenhausen-Concentration-Camp (3)
Key Visits
Sachsenhausen-Concentration-Camp
Ravensbruck Concentration Camp
Day 9 - Battle of Berlin
The end of the Third Reich came in April 1945 with the Allied advance from the West and the final Soviet attack from the East on Berlin. Today, we look at the Battle for Berlin, starting on the Seelow Heights. We then look at some of the Russian memorials and burial grounds around Berlin and see the Karlshorst Museum.
Included meals: Breakfast
Seelow Heights Seelow Heights (2)
Key Visits
Seelow Heights
Karlshorst Museum
Day 10 - Munster
Leaving Berlin we travel to Munster to visit the superb German Panzer Museum with its impressive collection of German tanks and armoured fighting vehicles. We stay overnight in the Bucholz area, near Hamburg.
Included meals: Breakfast
Key Visits
Munster
German Panzer Museum
Day 11
We travel to Luneberg Heath where the British took the surrender of German forces in May 1945. We also visit Becklingen War Cemetery, Soltau. Continue to our overnight hotel in Holland.
Included meals: Breakfast
Luneberg Heath Luneberg Heath (2)
Key Visits
Luneberg Heath
Becklingen War Cemetery
Day 12
Return home.
Included meals: Breakfast
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JERSEY - OCCUPATION & LIBERATION
8-Day Break - Battle of Britain Air Display
Day 1 – Fly from your chosen airport. Upon arrival in Jersey you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This evening we will begin with a welcome drink followed by an introductory talk. D
Day 2 – Jersey War Tunnels and Noirmont Headland. We visit the Jersey War Tunnels – an enormous tunnel complex built by the Germans as an artillery barracks but converted into a firstaid field bunker as an emergency stand-by in 1943. It is now an excellent museum telling the complete story, through interactive displays, of the Occupation. We have also specially arranged a personal introduction to the complex by their Curator. In the afternoon, we head to the coast for a private guided tour of Noirmont headland, the site of Batterie Lothringen, one of four naval artillery batteries installed by the Germans in the Channel Islands. You will gain access to parts of the site not normally opened up to the general public. B, D
Day 3 – Sites of Occupation and Defence. Today we are joined by Gerald Le Marrec, who was born in 1932 and was a lad in Jersey during the Occupation, so he has many stories to tell. First we head east to La Hougue Bie, one of the finest Neolithic sites in Europe and the site of a German Command Bunker. This now houses a moving memorial dedicated to the suffering and courage of the thousands of forced workers brought to the Island during the war. Our guide here will be Bob Le Sueur who, as a young man, got to know several such people. Then, we head west for an early lunch (included) at the Beach House restaurant, enjoying the amazing views out to sea in the company of David Gainsborough Roberts, a local collector of Third Reich memorabilia, who will talk about and show some of his collection over lunch. In the afternoon our tour will start at the German fortifications at Corbière and take in the anti-tank wall in St. Ouen’s Bay, the Channel Islands Military Museum, Strongpoint L’Etacquerel and Moltke Battery at Les Landes. B, L, D
Day 4 – Free day to relax. B, D
Day 5 – Battle of Britain Day. A morning guided ‘Occupation Walk’ around St. Helier, taking in all the many historic sites, memorials and monuments and ending up at the Battle of Britain installations including a static display of helicopters at West Park. This afternoon, enjoy the spectacular Battle of Britain Air Display which takes place over St. Aubin’s Bay with the dramatic backdrop of Elizabeth Castle. You will have free time, before making your own way back to the hotel. B, D
Day 6 – Jersey Airport Behind the Scenes and Maritime Museum. An early morning tour of the remaining Battle of Britain aircraft at Jersey airport followed by a visit to the award-winning Maritime Museum in St. Helier and the Occupation Tapestry Gallery where a guide will be on hand to talk about life during the Occupation. The afternoon is free. B, D
Day 7 – Today is free for you to relax and do as you please. B, D
Day 8 – Return flight home. B
Included Meals: B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner
*Please note, the May 8th 2012 & May 7th 2013 departures will operate with a slightly different itinerary to enable you to join the annual Liberation Day service and re-enacment in the Weighbridge area.
Please Note: Entrance fees to museums and places of interest are at extra cost.
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OPERATION MARKET GARDEN
4-Day Break
Day 1
Local departure by coach, then to Belgium for an overnight stay.
Day 2 - Joe's Bridge to Nijmegen
We travel to Joe’s Bridge, the start position of the Guards Armoured Division at the beginning of Operation Market Garden. We look at the Irish Guards assault and see their graves at Valkenswaard War Cemetery. We then see the vast German cemetery at Ysselsteyn before visiting the impressive Overloon War Museum. After lunch, we resume the XXX Corps route at the Grave Bridge, before looking at the tough fighting for Nijmegen and the crossing of the Waal River by American Airborne forces. Continue to our hotel in Wolfheze for a two-night stay.
Included meals: Breakfast
Joe’s Bridge Joe’s Bridge (1)
Key Visits
Joes-Bridge
Nijmegen
Valkenswaard War Cemetery
Ysselsteyn German Cemetery
Overloon War Museum
Grave Bridge
Day 3 - Hartenstein Hotel & The Battle of Arnhem
We begin at the Hartenstein Hotel, headquarters of the 1st Airborne Division during the Arnhem battle, and now an excellent museum. We then see an original memorial at Wolfheze and look at one of the landing grounds at Ginkel Heath. Following a visit to the Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery we have lunch and then see some of the positions in the Oosterbeek Perimeter before visiting the area around Arnhem Bridge, where the pivotal battle for the outcome of Operation Market Garden took place.
Included meals: Breakfast
Arnhem Oosterbeek Cemetery Arnhem Oosterbeek Cemetery (2)
Key Visits
Oosterbeek Church
Landing grounds Ginkel Heath
Wolfheze
Arnhem Oosterbeek Cemetery
Arnhem Bridge
Hartenstein Hotel Museum
Day 4
Return home.
Included meals: Breakfast
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Commando Operations of WWII featuring Dieppe, St. Nazaire & Normandy
7-Day Break
Day 1
Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to our hotel in Rouen for two nights.
Day 2 - Operation Jubilee: The Dieppe Raid
Today we look at the first major Allied attempt to effect a large scale landing on the French coast. In August 1942 Canadians and British commandos laid down the lessons for D-Day but at huge cost. We see the area where No. 3 Commando fought its actions on the flanks, and around Dieppe see the Canadian landing beaches, the bunkers that defeated them and look at the use of tanks. We also visit Dieppe War Cemetery.
Included meals: Breakfast
Dieppe Dieppe (2)
Key Visits
Dieppe
No 3 Commando sites
Dieppe landing Beaches
Dieppe War Cemetery
Day 3 - Saumur Tank Museum
We move from Upper Normandy to St. Nazaire, but en-route stop at the superb Saumur Tank Museum which is France’s national war museum of armoured vehicles, with everything from Shermans to Tiger tanks. We stay in St. Nazaire for two nights.
Included meals: Breakfast
Saumur Tank Museum Saumur Tank Museum (2)
Key Visits
Saumur Tank Museum
Day 4 - The Greatest Raid of All
Operation Chariot was the attack on St Nazaire by Naval and Commando forces in March 1942 when HMS Campbeltown rammed the dock gates of the port used by German U Boats. The operation also resulted in the award of five Victoria Crosses. We look at the raid, see the U Boat pens* and have time to visit the U Boat museum (at own cost). In the afternoon we visit the British graves at Escoublac-la-Baule War Cemetery and the German War Cemetery at Pornichet. *Please note: A degree of walking is required when visiting the U Boat pens as this is a vast area.
Included meals: Breakfast
St_Nazaire-U-boat_pens_St_Nazaire St_Nazaire-U-boat_pens_St_Nazaire (2)
Key Visits
St Nazaire
U Boat Pens
Escoulbacq War Cemetery
Pornichet German War Cemetery
Day 5 - Atlantic Wall & U-Boat Pens
We depart St. Nazaire and visit the Grand Blockhaus Museum, a superb example of the Atantlic Wall defences in this area. At Lorient we see the huge U Boat submarine pens which sheltered the Nazi U Boat fleet which operated in this area. After lunch we travel to Caen for two nights.
Included meals: Breakfast
Grand Blockhaus Museum Grand Blockhaus Museum (2)
Key Visits
Grand Blockhaus Museum
Lorient submarine pens
Day 6 - Maisy Battery, Pointe du Hoc & Eastern Flank
In Normandy we look at the role of American Rangers and British Commandos. At the Maisy Battery we explore a newly preserved gun battery site attacked by the US Rangers, seeing trenches, bunkers and gun pits, with guns in place. We then see Pointe du Hoc where Rangers assaulted the cliffs and visit the Rangers museum at Grandcamp. In the afternoon we follow the story of British commandoes on D-Day from Sword Beach to the Eastern Flank, visiting the Piper Bill Millin memorial and the Amfreville-Breville battlefield.
Included meals: Breakfast
Sword Beach Sword Beach (4)
Key Visits
Sword Beach
Pointe-Du-Hoc
Maisy Battery
Grandcamp
Day 7
Return home.
Included meals: Breakfast
Please Note: Entrance fees to museums and places of interest are at extra cost
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THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN
12-Day Break
Day 1
Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to northern France for an overnight stay.
Day 2
To the Cremona or Milan area for an overnight stay.
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3
Continue south through Italy, making a stop at Florence War Cemetery en-route to Cassino for a six-night stay.
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Key Visits
Florence War Cemetery
Day 4 - Salerno & Caserta
We start our tour at Salerno, where British forces landed in 1943. We see the beach head and the Roman Ruins where the Americans fought. We visit Salerno War Cemetery, seeing the grave of the great-grandson of the Duke of Wellington, and then on to to the beachhead area, seeing where the British and American troops landed, before taking lunch close to the Greek- Roman ruins at Paestum. In the afternoon, we travel to Caserta, visiting the War Cemetery, looking at the story of Yorkshire and England cricketer, Hedley Verity, and see where General Alexander had his headquarters during the Italian Campaign.
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Key Visits
Salerno War Cemetery
Beachhead area
Paestum Ruins
Caserta War Cemetery
Day 5 - Monte Cassino
We travel up to the monastery on Monte Cassino, seeing the incredible view, and visit the Polish war Cemetery. After lunchtime in Cassino, we visit Cassino War Cemetery and the Cassino Memorial. We end the day at the German War Cemetery.
Monday 13th May 2019 departure – please note: on Days 5-7 (the weekend of the Cassino 75 commemorations) we will visit sites in and around Cassino and attend special events and ceremonies. On Day 8 we will visit Anzio, and Days 9 to 12 will operate as shown.
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Key Visits
Monte Cassino War Cemetery
Cassino Historiale Museum
Monte Cassino Abbey
Polish War Cemetery
German War Cemetery
Day 6 - Hill 593, Snakeshead Ridge & the Liri Valley
We continue with our look at Monte Cassino with a specially arranged visit to Hill 593 and Snakeshead Ridge, where much of the actual fighting took place. We also walk down to Albaneta Farm and the wreck of a Sherman Tank, now a memorial to Polish troops. After lunch, we look at the fighting in the Liri Valley, seeing the ground at Acquino Aerodrome and looking at the Hitler Line defences between Acquino and Pontecorvo, before ending the day at the Gari/Rapido River, the scene of a disastrous American assault in 1944.
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Key Visits
Snakeshead Ridge
Albaneta Farm
Polish Sherman Tank Memorial
Acquino
Rapido River
Day 7 - Anzio
Today, we look at the Battle of Anzio, seeing the US War Cemetery at Nettuno before having lunch in the seaside town of Anzio. After lunch, we see the Anzio War Museum, Anzio War Cemetery and the Beachhead Cemetery, before going to the infamous Flyover at Campo di Casni, scene of fighting in 1944.
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Key Visits
Nettuno US Cemetery
Anzio War Museum
Anzio Flyover
Day 8 - Minturno & Cassino Town
We head south from Cassino to visit Minturno War Cemetery and examine the river crossing at the Garigliano. After lunch have some free time in Cassino town.
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Key Visits
Minturno War Cemetery
Cassino
Day 9 - Sangro & Ortona
We depart Cassino and head north today, travelling to the Adriatic coast at Ortona, where we have a short walking tour of the town seeing where street-to-street and house-to-house fighting took place. Ortona was a place of great Canadian sacrifice in December 1943. We also visit the war museum and spend lunchtime in the town. In the afternoon, we visit the Canadian dead at the Moro River War Cemetery and end the day in the Sangro Valley and Sangro War Cemetery. From here we travel along the Adriatic coast to our hotel in Ravenna, discussing the Gothic Line battles along the way.
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Key Visits
Ortona
Sangro War Cemetery
Day 10
We depart Ravenna and cross the area of the final battles in Italy in 1945, pausing for lunch before we continue to our overnight hotel in the Austrian Tyrol.
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11
Travel through Germany to Belgium for an overnight stay.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 12
Return home.
Included meals: Breakfast
Operated by Leger Holidays
Westoe Travel act as agent for Leger Holidays
Leger Holidays Terms and Conditions apply
Mobility
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All passengers must have a valid passport for this tour. Depending on the country issuing your passport, a visa may also be required. More information can be found at the Identity & Passport Service
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Foreign and commonwealth office
We strongly advise that you check the latest advice from the Foreign and commonwealth office about travelling abroad both before booking and before travelling
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