Battlefield Tours. Understand Remember Reflect

Transcription

1 Battlefield Tours Understand Remember Reflect

2 A NATION THAT FORGETS ITS PAST HAS NO FUTURE... Winston Churchill CGT BATTLEFIELD TOURS Understand Remember Reflect Welcome to CGT Battlefields, a specialist tour operator offering bespoke tours to the battlefields. Visiting the battlefields from any conflict is a truly captivating and moving experience, the soldiers who fought had similar backgrounds, dreams and hopes as many of us. A battlefield tour allows us to understand these events, remember the sacrifices and recognise how these shaped the world we see today. Contents GREAT WAR TOURS The Western Front 3 Ypres 4 The Somme 5 Verdun 6 Centenary Tours 7&8 SECOND WORLD WAR D-Day Landings in Normandy 9 Our experienced team have been organising battlefield tours for over 20 years and together with our expert guides you can be sure you are in safe hands. Dunkirk - Operation Dynamo 10 Operation Market Garden 11 Ardennes - Battle of the Bulge 12 This brochure contains a selection of our popular destinations, please visit our website or call us for details of other tours. V Weapons Sites 13 As the battlefields continue to move and inspire us demand is sure to be high, so start planning your journey today. We look forward to hearing from you. CGT Battlefields Team 2 info@cgtbattlefields.co.uk SPECIAL INTEREST National Memorial Arboretum 14 London Capital Commemorations 15 Meet Our guides 16 & 17 CGT Groups 18 How to Book & Useful Info 19 Web: Tel:

3 Quarry CWGC Cemetery THE WESTERN FRONT The Great War In terms of proximity the battlefields of Flanders and France are inextricably linked. Forming a large swath of the trench system which marked the Western Front this area of fighting absorbed many of the troops the British army sent to France and Belgium. Both sides brought new methods of fighting to the battlefield, including poison gas, flamethrowers and tanks. The battles around the Western Front would claim the lives of hundreds of thousands of men from all sides and the fighting continued right up to the day and hour of the Armistice on the 11th November Sample Itinerary - 3 Days Day 1 The Somme - Depart from your chosen pick up point and head to Dover or Folkestone for your crossing. Our first stop today is at Sheffield Memorial Park which is devoted to the men of the British Army s 31st Division. We travel to Newfoundland Memorial Park which is dedicated to the memory of the Newfoundlers on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, before heading to the impressive Ulster Tower. Our final stop today is at The Thiepval Memorial, the largest British War Memorial in the world. Day 2 Ypres This morning we travel to Hill 60, a small area of man-made elevated land in an otherwise flat landscape. Next to Hooge Crater Museum, which is located in a former chapel, before heading to the only German Cemetery in the Salient. We will then travel to Tyne Cot CWGC Cemetery and Memorial to the Missing, the largest CWGC Cemetery in the world, before heading into Ypres, for free time, before attending the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate. Day 3 Vimy Ridge & Arras We start today by making our way to Vimy Ridge where we look at the Canadian assault on the 9th April Next we take a trip underground as we visit Wellington Quarry, part of a system of tunnels which was home to 24,000 soldiers in the days before they launched themselves onto the battlefield. Finally, we pay our respects at the Arras Memorial, before making our way back to Calais. On arrival back in the UK we will return you to your original joining point. Hull to Zeebrugge ferry route is also available on this programme at an additional cost Vimy Ridge Memorial Return Channel Crossings Full services of an executive coach for the duration of your Battlefield Tour Pick up and drop off from your chosen One, two or three nights bed and breakfast accommodation Full Services of an expert Battlefield Entrance to a museum of your choice Full administration and booking service 24 hour on call Duty Manager whilst 2 days from 129pp 3 days from 179pp 4 days from 239pp Thank you for all your help in organising our tour, the trip went without a hitch from start to finish, thanks to your planning on our behalf. I cannot praise the administration and service enough, this is the second year I have used you and I will be doing so again. I cannot think of anything I would have changed or could have been done better. info@cgtbattlefields.co.uk Web: Tel:

4 Tyne Cot CWGC Cemetery 4 YPRES AND THE LAST POST CEREMONY THE GREAT WAR will see the 100th Anniversary of the 3rd Battle of Ypres and for four long years Flanders Fields was the scene which epitomised the horrors of the Great War. Four major battles were fought here and more than 250,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers gave their lives. The landscape of the region still has many tales to tell allowing you to discover the stories, tragedy and bravery of the soldiers who fought there. Ypres lies at the heart of the Salient and during the war the town was under almost constant bombardment, reducing it to ruins. The Menin Gate marks the route that many soldiers took on their journey to the front line; it is the of the Ypres Memorial to the Missing. Every evening the Last Post is sounded here in honour of the soldiers of the British Empire who lost their lives in the Salient. Sample Itinerary - 2 Days Day 1 Depart from your chosen pick up point and head to Dover or Folkestone for your crossing. Our first stop is Lijssenthoek CWGC Cemetery, site of a casualty clearing station and now a military cemetery. From here we make our way to Essex Farm Military Cemetery, the site of a dressing station, and pay our respects to Private Strudwick (age 15) and Private Barrett (a Victoria Cross winner). It was close to here that John McCrae wrote In Flanders Fields. At Polygon Wood we look at what happened to Britain s small but capable regular army in 1914, and to British and Commonwealth soldiers later in the war. Heading into Ypres, there is free time to explore the town, before attending the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate. Langemark German Cemetery Menin Gate Day 2 Our first stop this morning is Hill 60, the site of intense and frequent fighting during the Great War. Next we visit Hooge Crater museum, located in a former chapel, and the adjacent trench reconstruction. We travel on to Langemark German Cemetery which is one of the few German military cemeteries in Belgium. Here we will learn of the student soldiers who died nearby in 1914 and of the Langemark myth to which the cemetery has given rise. Our final visit today is to Tyne Cot CWGC Cemetery and Memorial to the Missing, the largest CWGC Cemetery in the world. Hull to Zeebrugge ferry route is also available on this programme at an additional cost Return Channel Crossings Full services of an executive coach for Pick up and drop off from your chosen One night s bed and breakfast accommodation (two day trip only) Full Services of an expert Battlefield Entrance to a museum of your choice Full administration and booking service 24 hour on call Duty Manager whilst Day trip from 75pp 2 days from 125pp Thank you for all your hard work in making this trip such a success, everything ran smoothly and the boys had a fantastic time. Much of that goes down to the two staff you provided, Kelvin was great and Jon was an outstanding guide. He was very friendly, had a great rapport with the boys, really knew his stuff and was great company. We will be back in touch. info@cgtbattlefields.co.uk Web: Tel:

5 London CWGC Cemetery THE SOMME The Great War The battle started on the 1st July 1916 and by the end of the day, the British had suffered nearly 60,000 casualties, of whom approx. 20,000 were dead. Site of one of the largest battles of the Great War, it was not the decisive breakthrough it was intended to be and for many this is the battle that epitomises the horrors of war, symbolising the futility of trench warfare. Follow in the footsteps of these soldiers and find out how their courage and resolve allowed them to live and fight in these horrific conditions. 51 Victoria Crosses were awarded to British soldiers during the Battle of the Somme, standing testament to their bravery. Sample Itinerary - 2 Days Day 1 Depart from your chosen pick up point and head to Dover or Folkestone for your crossing. Our first stop is Sheffield Memorial Park which is dedicated to the men of the British Army s 31st Division who served with the Pals Battalions. Next we visit Newfoundland Memorial Park which is dedicated to the memory of the Newfoundlers on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. From here to Ulster Tower, a memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division, who attacked from the British Front Lines on the 1st July 1916 suffering heavy losses. Our final stop today is at The Thiepval Memorial, the largest British War Memorial in the world, containing the names of over 72,000 British and South African men who died in the Somme and have no known grave. Sheffield Park Memorial Newfoundland Park Memorial Day 2 We start this morning at Lochnagar Crater, which is the largest mine crater on the Western Front. From here to Fricourt German Cemetery where out of the 17,000 buried here only 5,057 have an individual grave. Next we visit Delville Wood which saw particularly ferocious fighting as the 1st South African Brigade attacked and captured the wood. As we begin to make our journey back to Calais we will visit Vimy Ridge where the Canadian troops fought so gallantly. Hull to Zeebrugge ferry route is also available on this programme at an additional cost Return Channel Crossings Full services of an executive coach for Pick up and drop off from your chosen One night s bed and breakfast accommodation (two day trip only) Full Services of an expert Battlefield Entrance to a museum of your choice Full administration and booking service 24 hour on call Duty Manager whilst Day trip from 75pp 2 days from 125pp Alan was a great guide who had a lot of knowledge to impart and he was very enthusiastic about the subject and eager to engage his audience. He was also accommodating if there needed to be slight alterations or considerations at the last minute info@cgtbattlefields.co.uk Web: Tel:

6 Douaumont Chapel VERDUN THE GREAT WAR To fully comprehend the full scale of the fighting in the Great War a visit to the French and American battlefields of the Verdun area is highly recommended. Every sign of humanity has been swept away. The woods and roads have vanished like chalk wiped from a blackboard; of the villages nothing remains but grey smears. During heavy bombardments and attacks I have seen shells fall like rain. This was the scene as witnessed by a pilot flying over the battlefield of Verdun, in the later stages of the fighting. Sample Itinerary 3 Days Day 1 Depart from your chosen pick up point and head to Dover or Folkestone for your crossing, on arrival in Calais we travel south to Verdun. As we make our way, we drive part of the Voie Sacree (Sacred Way), along which in many seven day periods passed 190,000 French troops and 25,000 tons of supplies. Fort Douaumont 75mm gun Day 2 This morning we start at The Fort Vaux, where hopefully (weather dependant) we will be able to look across to Fort Douaumont which will help us understand how the forts were interlocked as a defensive system. Our next stop is the Memorial of Verdun, followed by a visit to Fort Douaumont. Next we travel to the Trench of Bayonets and Ossuary before our final visit of the day to Ouvrage de Thiaumont which was a smaller linking fort. Day 3 We travel to Le Mort Homme, which is the memorial with They shall not pass recalled, then onto Cote 304 which was another site of bitter fighting. From here to Butte de Vauquois, which is the site where a huge German mine blew the hill almost in half. Our final visit today is to the Meuse- Argonne American Cemetery, where over 14,000 Americans are buried. Hull to Zeebrugge ferry route is also available on this programme at an additional cost Mort Homme Full services of an executive coach for Pick up and drop off from your chosen Return Channel crossings Two or three nights bed and breakfast accommodation Full Services of an expert Battlefield Entrance to two museums Full administration and booking service 24 hour on call Duty Manager whilst 3 days from 229pp 4 days from 299pp Brian was an absolute pleasure to work with and clearly well prepared. His knowledge and delivery were first rate and his choice of s provided us with an excellent overall view of the conflict, whilst taking in a range of s 6 info@cgtbattlefields.co.uk Web: Tel:

7 BATTLE OF CAMBRAI The Great War Tanks had been used for the first time on the battlefield during the Somme Offensive, but they did not fare as well as expected. More than a year later on the 20th November 1917 they were committed once again in what has become known as the first great tank battle in history. On the first day of the attack some 381 tanks advanced and overwhelmed the Germans and managed to force a gap of six miles into their defences. The British became victims of their own success, because they did not exploit the situation due to the lack of understanding tactics in infantry and tank co-operation on the battlefield. The Germans reorganised their lines and the attack was halted by Haig on the 4th December. British losses were high, approx. 43,000 killed and wounded with around 6,000 taken prisoner. Lessons were learnt from the attack which would be of great benefit to the British in future tank operations. Full services of an executive coach for Pick up and drop off from your chosen Return Channel crossings One, two or three nights bed and breakfast accommodation Full Services of an expert Battlefield Entrance to a museum of your choice Full administration and booking service 24 hour on call Duty Manager whilst 2 days from 129pp 3 days from 179pp 4 days from 235pp Hull to Zeebrugge ferry route is also available on this programme at an additional cost Courtesy of Office de tourisme de Cambresis. Full services of an executive coach for Return Channel crossings Two or three nights bed and breakfast accommodation Full Services of an expert Battlefield Entrance to a museum of your choice Full administration and booking service 24 hour on call Duty Manager whilst The Great War Pick up and drop off from your chosen AMERICA ENTERS THE WAR On 7th April 1917 America entered the war as an Ally, having tolerated a number of acts of aggression, mainly against its mercantile fleet, since The final act of provocation which pushed America over the edge was the damning communication which has since become known as the Zimmerman Telegram, after the German Foreign Secretary, Arthur Zimmerman, who instigated it. The American Expeditionary Force, AEF, was raised on the 18th May 1917 with General John Black Jack Pershing in command. Congress passed the Draft Bill to increase the size of the army with conscripts and America was preparing itself for war. The first elements of the AEF landed in France on the 13th June 1917 and the first shots were fired by Battery C of the 6th Artillery. American units fought almost along the entire length of the Western Front from Ypres in the North to St Mihiel near Verdun. By the Armistice over one million America soldiers were serving on the Western Front. 3 days from 199pp 4 days from 249pp Hull to Zeebrugge ferry route is also available on this programme at an additional cost E Battery of the 5th US Field Artillery with a 4.7 inch gun info@cgtbattlefields.co.uk Web: Tel:

8 ARRAS AND VIMY RIDGE The Great War By April 1917, on the Western Front, the Allied and German armies were locked in stalement, occupying trench systems stretching 440 miles from the Belgian coast to the Swiss border. The town of Arras, occupied by the British but virtually destroyed by German artillery, was to be the launching point for a major attack which would divert German forces away from a larger French offensive on the Aisne. In a preparatory five day bombardment, 2,400 British guns fired 2.7 million shells on a 20-mile front. Then on 9th April 1917, Easter Day, the assault began, in a snowstorm. Initially, major territorial gains were made, particularly by the Canadian Corps in overwhelming the German positions on Vimy Ridge (now the site of perhaps the most striking memorial on the Western Front). Rapid deployment of German reserves checked the advance and as British losses increased to 158,000, the offensive was ceased on 16 May Full services of an executive coach for Pick up and drop off from your chosen Return Channel crossings One or two nights bed and breakfast accommodation (two and three day tours only) Full Services of an expert Battlefield Entrance to a museum of your choice Full administration and booking service 24 hour on call Duty Manager whilst Day Trip from 75pp 2 days from 129pp 3 days from 179pp Hull to Zeebrugge ferry route is also available on this programme at an additional cost Vimy Ridge Full services of an executive coach for Pick up and drop off from your chosen Return Channel crossings One or two nights bed and breakfast accommodation (two and three day tours only) Full Services of an expert Battlefield Entrance to a museum of your choice Full administration and booking service 24 hour on call Duty Manager whilst Day Trip from 75pp 2 days from 129pp 3 days from 179pp MESSINES AND PASSCHENDAELE The Great War One hundred years after these epic battles, we will escort you around the fields where the fighting was the fiercest, following the lines of advance and visiting the s where the great mines were detonated on the Messines Ridge. Sites such as Caterpillar Crater and the legendary Hill 60, where some of the original concrete defences can still be seen, before moving south to the town of Messines, captured by the New Zealand troops and Wytschaete (known as Whitesheet to the British) which was captured by the brave Irishmen of 16th and 36th (Ulster) Divisions. Further north for the Battle of Passchendaele, the tour will travel the route of Pilckem Ridge as the attack pushed on towards the German front line at Langemark. You will pass the point where the late Harry Patch, the last Fighting Tommy, served during the battle. 59 soldiers were awarded the Victoria Cross in the course of the 113 day battle which attained small territorial gains, at a terrible cost. Hull to Zeebrugge ferry route is also available on this programme at an additional cost Hill info@cgtbattlefields.co.uk Web: Tel:

9 Pegasus Bridge D-DAY LANDINGS IN NORMANDY Second World War On the 6th June 1944 Allied Troops stormed the beaches of Normandy to establish a foothold in France, this was the turning point of the Second World War in the West. D-Day was a remarkable achievement, involving nearly 7,000 naval vessels and over 150,000 Allied troops, it was the start of the destruction of the German war machine and the liberation of Europe. We will bring the story of Operation Overlord to life; the complex plans of the largest amphibious assault in military history, landing on 5 beaches on an enemy occupied coastline. Hear about the heroism of the Airborne troops who landed at night, hours before the amphibious landings. The D-Day landings and the subsequent Battle for Normandy saw some of the fiercest fighting of the Second World War, as the Allies fought their way inland. Sample Itinerary - 4 Days Day 1 Depart from your chosen pick up point and head to Dover or Folkestone for your crossing. On arrival in Calais we head to our accommodation and check-in for a three night stay. Day 2 This morning we visit Ranville CWGC Cemetery, where some of the first casualties of D-Day are buried. Next we travel to Merville Battery, which was the objective of the 9th Battalion The Parachute Regiment. From here to Pegasus Bridge which was the of the Glider borne assault on D-Day and just across the road we will visit the museum. At Gold Beach we look at the landing plans, defences and the experience of the soldiers who landed here. Our final stop today is in Arromanches, which as well as being a pretty French town, was the site chosen for one of the two artificial harbours which were constructed following D-Day. Day 3 After breakfast, we head to Pointe du Hoc, the highest point between Omaha and Utah Beaches and site of a German Gun Battery. We then travel to La Cambe German Cemetery which is the final resting place of over 21,000 German soldiers. Our next stop is Omaha Beach, code name for one of the two American landing sectors, the heavy losses suffered by the American Troops on D-Day earned the beach, the name of Bloody Omaha. We finish today with a visit to the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial where many of these brave men lie or are remembered. Day 4 Following breakfast, we visit Bayeux CWGC Cemetery and after paying our respects we begin our journey back to Calais. Portsmouth to Caen ferry route is also available on this programme at an additional cost Merville-Franceville-Plage Return Channel Crossings Full services of an executive coach for Pick up and drop off from your chosen Two, three or four nights bed and breakfast accommodation Full Services of an expert Battlefield Entrance to a museum of your choice Full administration and booking service 24 hour on call Duty Manager whilst 3 days from 199pp 4 days from 259pp 5 days from 319pp The coach and the driver were fantastic and could not have been more helpful, the hotel was great and the staff really helpful. Your support was much appreciated and we will be using you again and recommending your company to others. info@cgtbattlefields.co.uk Web: Tel:

10 Fort des Dunes DUNKIRK SECOND WORLD WAR On the 3rd September 1939 Britain declared war on Germany and in the same month an initial 300,000 soldiers of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) led by Lord Gort arrived in France. The period between then and the start of the German Blitzkrieg was known as the Phoney War and British soldiers settled down to constructing defences along the Belgian-Franco border. This came to an abrupt end on the 10th May 1940, when the Germans launched their devastating attack on Belgium, followed by France on the 13th May. British troops by this stage had moved into Belgium to face the German attack, but after the loss of Sedan on 15th May nothing could stand in the way of the Panzers. Instead of heading for Paris as the Allied Commanders expected, they turned towards the Channel Coast and as the pressure of the unstoppable German advance grew Lord Gort became convinced that only evacuation could save the BEF. Sample Itinerary Day Trip After crossing into Calais or Dunkirk, we will start at Wormhout, where we learn about the action here and the capture and subsequent massacre of British Prisoners of War. Our next stop is Cassel which was defended by the Glosters and Oxs & Bucks LI. As we continue to follow the retreat we will visit the Bergues-Furnes Canal, where vital ground was held to allow time for the evacuation. At Bray Dunes we look at the evacuation as the small ships took troops directly from the beach. The Mole in Dunkirk Harbour is our next stop, where we hear about the significance as men could be evacuated straight onto the ships. We will spend time at the excellent Operation Dynamo War Museum, before ending our day with a visit to Dunkirk War Cemetery and Memorial to the Missing. Dunkirk Memorial Dunkirk Hull to Zeebrugge ferry route is also available on this programme at an additional cost We also offer this tour as a 3 or 4 day trip V Weapons and Dunkirk. Full services of an executive coach for Pick up and drop off from your chosen Return Channel crossings One night s bed and breakfast accommodation (two day trip only) Full Services of an expert Battlefield Entrance to the Operation Dynamo War Museum Full administration and booking service 24 hour on call Duty Manager whilst Day trip from 75pp 2 days from 129pp The guide was very knowledgeable and informative about the s we visited, he set the scene at every and made it feel realistic, getting the whole group involved info@cgtbattlefields.co.uk Web: Tel:

11 Airborne Museum By September 1944 the Allies had broken out of Normandy and were advancing across Europe. Operation Market Garden was one of the boldest plans of the war, over 30,000 Allied troops were to be flown behind enemy lines, into occupied Holland. Their mission was clear, to capture the bridges that spanned the rivers on the Dutch/German border, providing a corridor that would allow the Allied Army to advance rapidly into Germany. What were the plans that made up Operation Market Garden and what did it mean for the men who fought here? Unfortunately this daring plan did not have the expected outcome; the Allies suffered heavy casualties and after nine days of fighting there was no alternative but to withdraw. Operation Market Garden had ended, but the war and battle to liberate Holland would continue. Sample Itinerary 4 Days Day 1 Depart from your chosen pick up point and head to Dover or Folkestone for your crossing. On arrival in Calais we head to our accommodation for a three night stay. Day 2 This morning we travel to Joe s Bridge and look at the attack by the Guards Division, followed by a visit to the Valkenswaard CWGC Cemetery, where some of those killed in the breakout lie. We will also visit the German Cemetery at Ysselsteyn before heading to Grave Bridge to hear about its importance and capture by the 82nd Airborne Division. Travelling to Nijmegen we learn about the fighting in this area and standing on the north bank of the Waal River we discuss the river crossing by the 504th Para Infantry Regiment on the 20th September Hartenstein, site of the HQ of 1 Airborne Division during the battle and now an excellent museum. Our day ends at the CWGC Cemetery in Oosterbeek, where we will pay our respects. Day 4 We make our way back to the UK and return you to your original joining point. Hull to Rotterdam AND Newcastle to Amsterdam ferry routes are also available on this programme at an additional cost Memorial 4th Dorest Regt info@cgtbattlefields.co.uk Pick up and drop off from your chosen Return Channel crossings Two, three or four nights bed and breakfast accommodation Full Services of an expert Battlefield Entrance to the Airborne Museum Hartenstein Full administration and booking service 24 hour on call Duty Manager whilst Day 3 Today we look at the Airborne operations, visiting firstly the drop zone of the 1st Para Brigade. From here we follow 2 Para s route to the bridge at Arnhem, their attempt to capture the railway bridge and the actions around St Elizabeth Hospital. At the bridge we learn about the heroic stand of 2 Para and Lt Jack Grayburn VC. Next we pay a visit to the Airborne Museum at Full services of an executive coach for 3 days from 199pp 4 days from 269pp 5 days from 319pp I was so happy with everything and I cannot praise the drivers enough, they were the best team we have ever had. Trevor was also a delight to work with, he couldn t have been more charming or more informative. It was lovely and he was especially kind to the girls who had relatives that fought at Arnhem. Thank you so much for all the planning and sorting out you have done for us, it was wonderful to work with you and I shall be in touch again soon Web: Tel: OPERATION MARKET GARDEN The Second World War

12 Bastogne American Memorial ARDENNES & BATTLE OF THE BULGE SECOND WORLD WAR By the 16th December 1944, the once-powerful German army was in retreat from the West. The German Westwall defensive line, known to the Allies as the Siegfried Line, had been penetrated in places and some troops even believed the war to be over. Suddenly, at 5.30am, the quiet of that early winter s morning was shattered as 2,000 German guns opened fire to mark the commencement of Hitler s plan of attack, codenamed Watch on the Rhine. The attack would turn out to be a lost cause for Hitler using up his last reserves of experienced troops and vital equipment. However, the attack also showed the Allies that although retreating, the German army could not be underestimated. Sample Itinerary 4 Days Day 1 Depart from your chosen pick up point and head to Dover or Folkestone for your crossing. On arrival in Calais we head to our accommodation for a three night stay. Day 2 Follow Kampfgruppe/Battlegroup Peiper from its start point at Lanzerath to La Gleize. Visiting along the way Malmedy, the scene of the massacre of US Troops (Baugnez Historical Centre). Move on to the bridges at Stavelot, Trois Ponts on the Salm River both defended by engineers who were greatly outnumbered by experienced German combat troops. Moving on to Stoumont and the furthest point reached by Peiper then back to La Gleize, the end of the Kampfgruppe, a King Tiger tank remains here as a monument. Day 3 Looking at the fighting around Bastogne and the 101st Airborne Division. Starting at Noville which was attacked by elements of the 2nd Panzer Division, then onto Recogne and its German Cemetery. A short circuit of Bastogne will show the positions which were held by the US troops, we then move to Bois Jacques woods where the Easy Company of the 506 Parachute Infantry Regiment had defensive positions, there are still trenches and foxholes located in the woods, this is the unit immortalised in the book and mini-series Band of Brothers. Travel to the memorial at Mardasson, from where we get a good view of the battleground to the North. Returning to Bastogne, we will visit the 101st Airborne Museum, McAuliffe Square and the Patton Monument. Day 4 We make our way back to the UK and return you to your original joining point. Hull to Zeebrugge ferry route is also available on this programme at an additional cost Mortars in the Ardennes Full services of an executive coach for Pick up and drop off from your chosen Return Channel crossings Two, three of four nights bed and breakfast accommodation Full Services of an expert Battlefield Entrance to two museums Full administration and booking service 24 hour on call Duty Manager whilst 3 days from 169pp 4 days from 209pp 5 days from 259pp The service we received from CGT was outstanding, they had a great understanding of what we were after and the tour was well planned and put together. The passage of information was great and easy to understand, nothing was a problem, and we would certainly recommend this company to others 12 info@cgtbattlefields.co.uk Web: Tel:

13 Le Bunker Batterie Todt V FOR VENGEANCE V WEAPONS SITES The Second World War The first attacks by V1 Flying Bombs came on the 13th June 1944, only one week after the D-Day landings in Normandy, in the early hours of the morning observers reported a mysterious object flying inland. The war had entered a new phase with the Germans launching their secret weapons which the British referred to as Doodlebug, but known to the Germans as Vergeltungswaffen or V-1 weapon. Sample Itinerary 3 Days Day 1 - Drive to Dover Castle passing through the county of Kent which was in the forefront of the attack by V-1 weapons. Dover Castle was instrumental in helping direct defences against V1 Flying Bombs and the castle has a display covering its role during the war and some of the types of guns used to shoot down V1 rockets. We will then cross to France and drive to Wallon Cappel where there is a V1 launching ramp of the type which was built all across the area, the majority were destroyed by air strikes when detected and this is a rare example of one intact. Day 2 This morning we drive to La Coupole V2 launching site near Wizernes, this huge domed construction was built using slave labour and was attacked by the famous 617 Dam Buster Squadron. The site is vast and was intended as an assembly and launch centre for V2 rockets. Despite all the resources it never fired a single rocket and today it is a museum for rocket technology. From here we make our way to the equally impressive Blockhouse at Eperleques where V2 rockets were also to be fired. This massive is believed to be only half its intended size from where V2 rockets would have been fired at London and other target areas. Day 3 This morning we move towards Mimoyeques where a hill was hollowed out to install barrels for a long-range gun, which would fire rocket-propelled shells to attack London, this was the so-called V3 weapon. The area was attacked in a daring air raid, which failed and ended with the crew being killed. The site never fired a shot in anger, although another version of the gun was used to attack other targets. Finally we move to the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, a huge concrete emplacement used to house four 38cm long-range guns which could fire on Dover. Known as the Batterie Todt after the German military engineer, the site is today a museum housing many fine examples of weapons used by the German Army. Hull to Zeebrugge ferry route is also available on this programme at an additional cost V2 rocket diagram Full services of an executive coach for Pick up and drop off from your chosen Return Channel crossings Two or three nights bed and breakfast accommodation Full Services of an expert Battlefield Entrance to museums as shown in the sample itinerary Full administration and booking service 24 hour on call Duty Manager whilst 3 days from 239pp 4 days from 309pp Your guide was absolutely brilliant, from the outset he focused on delivering what we wanted, his personality and military knowledge set the tour at precisely the right level. From the outset I found the efforts of CGT exceptional. info@cgtbattlefields.co.uk Web: Tel:

14 Cannock Chase CWGC Cemetery NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM A NATION REMEMBERS In towns and villages across the UK there are memorials to those regiments and units which fought not just in both world wars, but also the many subsequent conflicts since the end of the Second World War. The National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas in Staffordshire brings all these together in a collective tribute to the many men and women who were killed in service to their country. At neighbouring Cannock Chase, part of the legacy from the First World War is revealed in the small but significant Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery there, which shows the sacrifice made by a generation of fine, brave young men who fought in the war to end all wars. The inclusion of almost 300 German burials comes as something of a surprise, but that is nothing compared to nearly 5,000 interments from both world wars in the nearby cemetery dedicated to German nationals. Day 1 We start at the National Memorial Arboretum with a guided tour, visiting a variety of memorials, which can be on a specific conflict, such as WWI and WWII. From here we make our way to the Staffordshire Regiment Museum, which houses a fine collection of weapons and uniforms. We will also be escorted through the recreated trenches to understand the hardships endured by the men who lived and fought on the Western Front. Day 2 Today we visit the German Cemetery, as your guide reveals the fate of the Zeppelin crews buried here as well as some of the poignant stories of individuals, such as 25-year old Bernhard Pick up and drop off from your chosen One night s bed and breakfast accommodation (two day tour only) Full Services of an expert Battlefield Entrance to Staffordshire Regiment Museum Entrance to IWM Duxford or RAF Cosford Guided tour of National Memorial Arboretum Schneider, a prisoner of war who died as the result of an accident in August We then travel to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery at Cannock Chase, where the history continues as we learn about the stories of the men buried here. After participating in an Act of Remembrance, we re-join our coach and depending on your final destination, we will visit either the IWM Duxford or RAF Cosford en route. Full administration and booking service 24 hour on call Duty Manager whilst Day trip from 39pp 2 days from 89pp Sample Itinerary 2 Days Full services of an executive coach for The whole service at CGT was especially helpful to me as I had not organised a Battlefield Tour before, it guided me through the process to deliver a memorable tour Airborne Forces Memorial info@cgtbattlefields.co.uk Web: Tel:

15 Cabinet War Rooms LONDON Capital Commemorations Since it was founded more than 2,000 years ago, the city of London has been the backdrop to many historical events including the War of the Roses, the Peasants Revolt and the English Civil War. However, it was during both World Wars, when the city was deliberately attacked becoming a target for air raids, that the populace showed their true mettle. Undaunted, first by the Zeppelin raids from 1915, and then Hitler s bombers from 1940, on both occasions the city emerged battered but proud and undefeated, as a beacon of survival to the free world. Today there are many memorials across the city which serve as a tribute to those turbulent times and some of the buildings still bear the scars from those terrible days when death rained from the skies. Sample Itinerary 2 Days Day 1 War Walk - Around the city there are many military command buildings, which were the nerve centres of the Government and we start by visiting one of these - The Cabinet War Rooms, which have been preserved as they were during WW2. Following our visit we walk to Buckingham Palace where we learn about the events which surrounded this building in both World Wars, before continuing down Pall Mall. Arriving at Whitehall with its many memorials connected to both World Wars we spend time hearing about just some of them, including the Guards, Women at War and Cenotaph. From here along Regent Street, which during WW2 sustained damage during the air raids of the blitz, but also provided a place of shelter in the underground rail network. Then onto Wogan House of the BBC to hear some of the stories of the many historic broadcasts which were made from here, even though the building had been damaged. Day 2 We will take a tour around HMS Belfast, a six-inch gun cruiser from WW2 and later this afternoon, we conclude our tour with a visit to the Imperial War Museum at Lambeth which completes this fascinating insight into the history of the capital during both World Wars. Full services of an executive coach for Pick up and drop off from your chosen One night s bed and breakfast accommodation (two day tour only) Full Services of an expert Battlefield Entrance to HMS Belfast and Cabinet War Rooms Full administration and booking service 24 hour on call Duty Manager whilst Day trip from 39pp 2 days from 95pp I would just like to say a very big thank you, the hotel, rooms and food were exceptional, the coach was great and the driver was superb. You have done us proud and we are all very pleased indeed, many thanks again for all your support, guidance and hard work in helping us make this a complete success. HMS Belfast info@cgtbattlefields.co.uk Web: Tel:

16 CGT BATTLEFIELD GUIDES Guides are paramount to the success of any tour and that is why all our guides have been carefully selected to escort our tours. Allowing you to discover and understand the politics behind these wars, the experiences of those involved, the realities of conducting operations and the tactics employed, right through to the final inevitable outcomes. Our guides are all subject matter experts from a wide variety of backgrounds. Approachable and happy to answer any questions you may have, they offer structure and guidance to the tour in order to provide the maximum benefit to the group. Their passion for the sites and conflicts that took place is clear, their knowledge is immense, which means that they can fully incorporate the group in the experience through their great skill of storytelling and bringing the past to life. Once you have booked your tour, you will be put in touch with your guide who will work with you to construct an itinerary that matches the aims and objectives of your tour. Meet some of our guides: Allan Wood After serving for 22 years in the Regular Army, Allan became a History Teacher and he continued to serve in the TA for a further 8 years. During this time he began guiding tours to the battlefields and has done so for 17 years, guiding military, civilian and school tours. He retired from teaching in August 2014, in order to give battlefield guiding and talks on military history his full attention. Allan is a Member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides and holder of Badge Number 66. Brian Shaw Brian Shaw is an Ex Warrant Officer who served with the Parachute Regiment and has been leading WW1 and WW2 battlefield tours for the past 18 years. Brian has a long held interest in military history and combines his own experiences and knowledge of history to place his audience on a tour within the experience of what the soldiers of the day saw, felt and experienced. Brian is a Member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides and was awarded his Guild Badge in November Bob Darby Bob Darby served in both the British Army and in the service of HM Sultan Qaboos, his operational experience includes service in Northern Ireland and the Falklands. He was the Air Adjutant of 3 PARA during Op Corporate, in the re-possession of the Islands from Argentine control and his time served with the Parachute Regiment is an association of which he is particularly proud of. As a Veteran of the Falklands campaign he has taken a number of tours Down South and has also guided many tours on to the battlefields of the WW1 and WW2. Colin Parslow Colin spent some 30 years in the Regular Army as an Infantry Officer in The Duke of Edinburgh s Royal Regiment and also a short time in The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment. On leaving the Army Colin worked as the Deputy Chief Executive for the Reserve Forces and Cadet Associations (RFCA) for the South East. He has always been interested in Military History and has conducted tours to many of the European battlefields including both WW1 and WW2. Duncan Barnes Duncan gained a MA as an external student of the War Studies Department at RMA Sandhurst and began guiding battlefield tours in His particular area of interest is the First World War, although he has also had the privilege of guiding tours to Berlin, Munich, Nuremburg and Eastern Europe info@cgtbattlefields.co.uk Web: Tel:

17 John Cotterill John retired from the Army in 2014, after 37 years regular service and has been leading battlefield tours since 1994, guiding military groups, veterans, schoolchildren and others. He has been lucky enough to guide tours from Singapore to Stalingrad and from Tanzania to Tunisia and is a member of the Western Front Association. He joined the Guild of Battlefield Guides in its infancy (Member Number 4) and was awarded Badge Number 10 in John Norris John served with the Grenadier Guards and on leaving the army he worked as a security consultant and also began writing in his spare time. He now writes full time for Historical Features and to date has written 18 books on a range of subjects from weaponry to medieval warfare. During the mid-1990s he began working as a battlefield guide and has escorted many groups to battle grounds such as Arnhem, the Somme and Normandy. Johnny Walker Johnny was a career soldier in The Duke of Wellington s Regiment, before retiring with the rank of Brigadier. On retiring from the Army he worked as a Regional Manager for 13 Counties in The Royal British Legion and he is an associate member of the International Guild of Battlefield Guides. Johnny has been guiding for over 9 years, his areas of speciality are the Western Front and Normandy D-Day and it has been his privilege to escort, soldiers, schoolchildren and veterans to these areas. Jon Wort Jon Wort was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and is the third generation of his family to have served in the British Army. Jon has had a lifelong interest in Military History and has had the privilege to have taken veterans from the 14th Army back to Burma to visit; Moulmein, the Arakan, the Chindit areas, Mandalay and Maymyo. He has also led tours to India to visit the battles of Kohima and Imphal. In addition to veteran tours Jon has guided many tours to the Western Front, Italy, Crete and Normandy. Mike Cartwright Mike served with the Royal Signals for 40 years and his final overseas tour was to the Republic of Korea, where he was a member of the UN Military Armistice Commission and Assistant Defence Attaché in the British Embassy, Seoul. Having always taken a keen interest in local military history wherever he has served, Mike has worked as a battlefield guide for the last 12 years, specialising in the Western Front, Normandy, Berlin, Crete and Korea. Paula Kitching Paula is a historian and writer and has spent most of her professional life working in education. For over 16 years she has been a guide for battlefield tours and taken groups across Europe to many s. Her specialisms are war, genocide and cultural diversity and she has recorded the testimonies of Holocaust, other genocide survivors and service personnel from a variety of conflicts. Currently she is the historian and project manager on We Were There Too London s Jews and WWI and is working for the Historical Association on RAF100. Paul McPherson Paul served for 22 years in the British Army having joined in 1987 as a young Infantry Soldier, he then went onto specialise within the Royal Army Medical Corps. Having always had an interest in military history, particularly the First World War, he has been leading battlefield tours for the last 9 years, using his knowledge and experience to bring to life the stories of the soldiers, time, place and experiences. Piers Storie-Pugh Piers served in the Regular and Territorial Army for 30 years and in 1985 set up Remembrance Travel for The Royal British Legion and managed it for almost 25 years, before becoming Chief Executive of The Not Forgotten Association. He has organised tours to all parts of the world for relatives and veterans and is a Guild of Battlefield Guides Member, Badge Number 12. Piers is one of the few worldwide guides and is a recognised expert in war cemeteries and memorials on the battlefields abroad. Richard Broadhead For the past 20 years Richard has been extensively researching the Great War and the effect on his home county, writing 6 books on the subject. He has produced and curated a number of exhibitions and designed and supplied Great War handling boxes to national and local museums. He has an exceptional knowledge of the Western Front and Normandy. Trevor Booker Trevor served with the RAF for 37 years and his last post before retiring as a Squadron Leader in 1999, was as Officer Commanding Defence Services Medical Rehabilitation Unit, Headley Court. His interest in Military History began whilst serving in the Middle East in the 1960 s and developed from there into researching and visiting battlefields and historical sites during postings to Europe, the Middle and Far East. He has worked as a battlefield guide since 2000 and has vast experience in guiding tours to many of the battlefield sites. info@cgtbattlefields.co.uk Web: Tel:

18 CGT GROUPS Cadets Although these events took place many years ago, the actions and courage of the soldiers, sailors and airmen who fought changed the course of history. It is particularly remarkable when we consider that the youngest soldier to fight on the Somme was Sidney Lewis, who enlisted with the East Surrey Regiment in August 1915, five months after his 12th birthday and was fighting on the Somme by the age of 13. Jack Cornwell won his VC aged 16 at the Battle of Jutland in 1916 and Thomas Flynn and Andrew Fitzgibbon both won VCs in India whilst only 15! The cadets of today are closer in age to the soldiers of yesterday and the opportunity to learn from their experience is vast. Military As the late Professor Richard Holmes so eloquently phrased it, a Battlefield Study is part of every Sailor, Soldier and Airman s education and further development. At CGT Battlefields we have been operating trips to the battlefields for service personnel for over 25 years; we understand how these tours work best, offering a high quality personal service where flexibility and value for money are key. We will work with you and your planning staff every step of the way to ensure that from your initial request for Approval in Principal, study days, delivery of the tour and the Post Exercise report, a partnership approach is agreed. Schools Our tours are designed for school groups wishing to take their studies out of the classroom and offering an excellent educational opportunity to truly understand the events of these Wars. Supporting various stages of the National curriculum and subject areas - after consultation with you, we will design a tour to fit in with your student s studies. We will look to individualise and enhance the learning experience and also offer a future link, inspiring and engaging your students - what were the causes and realities of these conflicts? How did they affect the soldiers fighting? What was the impact on Great Britain and life like for those left at home? Just how did these conflicts shape the world we see today? In what way can we deliver these messages and recognise the sacrifices and contributions from around the world? Companies, Clubs & Associations All of our groups receive individual and meticulous attention and your personal tour co-ordinator will take the hassle out of organising your tour. Why not build a battlefield tour with a difference? Include additional cultural experiences - spend a day in Arnhem then spend a day and night enjoying the beautiful city of Amsterdam or explore the Western Front and then travel to Brussels to soak up the culture. Many of our hotels offer conference facilities, so why not hold your sales meeting in one of our hotels and enjoy a day out on the battlefields - the battlefields offer numerous outstanding examples of many of the qualities companies look for in their employees communciation, planning and leadership to name but a few. Friends & Family Groups of friends and family choose to travel together for many reasons, perhaps it is a family pilgrimage to visit the site of where a relative fought or a group of friends that enjoy travelling together and enjoy visiting the battlefields. A private tour can offer many benefits and a choice of transport is available from executive cars to coaches with DVD players, tables and reclining seats. Accommodation can be booked at a wide choice of hotels and we are also able to make restaurant and museum reservations on your behalf. Expert guides are also available to join your tour and they will ensure that your trip is an extremely memorable experience, working with you prior to departure to plan a fully personalised itinerary info@cgtbattlefields.co.uk Web: Tel:

19 USEFUL INFO All of the tours shown in this brochure travel by coach and we only use full executive coaches, all of which feature: reclining seats, air-conditioning, DVD player, TV monitors and onboard wc. HOW TO BOOK 1. Get in touch with us and we will take some basic information from you including - destination, date of travel, number of people travelling and preferred type of accommodation. Don t worry if you haven t got a firm plan, there s nothing we like better than talking about battlefields and are happy to discuss any ideas you may have. All of the tours shown in this brochure, where applicable, include crossings via Folkestone or Dover to Calais. Crossings are available from other UK ports at a supplement, including Hull, Portsmouth and Newcastle. 2. You will be sent a personalised proposal, together with a sample itinerary for your tour. If you need to make any changes to the quotation, just let us know we want this tour to be just right for you. Once everything is in place we will send you a booking form. The majority of tours shown in this brochure include accommodation in hostels where available. CGT also offer a wide range of hotel accommodation, working with all major chains as well as smaller independent properties. All the tours shown in this brochure include the services of an expert battlefield guide. In 2016 our guides joined over 6,000 people as they travelled throughout the battlefields of Europe and beyond. Entrance to a wide range of museums and attractions is available, which can be organised as part of your tour. The prices shown in this brochure are based on a minimum of 45 passengers travelling. Prices vary dependent on group size, accommodation type and the time of year you wish to travel. Please contact us for a personalised proposal and no obligation quote for your tour. 3. Send your booking form and deposit to us, when received we will issue a confirmation invoice. 4. Your guide will get in touch to start preparing your personalised itinerary. 5. Your final balance is due 8 weeks prior to departure. 6. We will be back in touch a month before you depart and will issue your travel documents and a full tour pack, which contains all the information you need for your tour. We will then be on hand throughout to ensure that everything runs smoothly and your tour is a success. In order to provide clients with complete peace of mind, CGT Battlefields Ltd is a member of Protected Travel Services - Membership No: CG Your money is held in a trust account and is used for the purpose of fulfilling your booking. So your money is completely safe from start to finish. You will be able to see any money you have paid to us by following the booking link which we will send to you immediately after you have booked your tour. 24hr Throughout the time that you are away with us, our Duty Manager will be on hand 24 hours to support you. info@cgtbattlefields.co.uk Web: Tel: