b'THE FALL OF SINGAPOREScan hereOPERATION HUSKYScan here AND THE DEATH RAILWAYfor the fullTHE ALLIED INVASION OF SICILY for the full itinerary itineraryA WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN 17 April 2025 Historical Background7 days 1943 was a difficult year for the Allies. America was still not at full 214 March 2025 Historical Background Expert Historian: capacity industrially and she was still learning on the battlefield. The 11 days On 8th December 1941, the Japanese invaded the Malay Peninsula.Peter HartBritish Empire, on the other hand, was under assault in the Atlantic and Expert Historian: Standing at the southern tip sat the fortress island of Singapore, a majorfrom the air whilst her victory in North Africa had done little to convince Activity Level: 2 the battered Soviets that she was sacrificing enough.Robert Lymannaval base from which Britain could project and defend its power in the Far East. In anticipation of an attack from Japans navy, extensive coastalWith a view both to knock Italy out of the war and to seize a foothold Activity Level: 2 batteries were built to thwart an anticipated coup de main from the sea.The island of Sicily is rich in military history.in the Mediterranean, the ambitious plan to grab Sicily was hatched. That never came as General Yamashitas men marched southwardsFrom classical Greek and Roman sites, toHowever, the campaign there marked the turning point of the Alliance. This tour to Malaysia, Singapore andmeeting little opposition. An ill-thought-out defence plan and poorthe Napoleonic war and, of course, thePattons 7th Army arrived in Sicily expecting to play second fiddle Thailand examines the personal, nationalcommand meant that Singapore would only resist Japanese assaultsSecond World War. The north east of theto Montgomerys 8th Army but, after the British offensive stalled at and imperial humiliation that resulted fromfor just over a week. Devoid of food and water, Lt Gen Percival, the Alliedisland, where we spend the majority of ourPrimosole from 13th July, Patton seized the initiative, driving first for the Japanese conquest. Starting from KualaCommander, believed he was left with no choice but to agree to antime, is dominated by the imposing sitePalermo and then, in tandem with three, daring amphibious landings, unconditional surrender of some 85,000 Allied soldiers to Yamashitasracing against the British to liberate Messina.Lumpur we examine the limited resistance35,000, resulting in what Sir Winston Churchill said was worst disasterof Mount Etna which looms menacingly offered by British Imperial Forces as theyand largest capitulation in British history. But the agony was not toover the coast line and countryside withdrew southwards to Singapore andend there: after a relatively comfortable imprisonment, Allied soldiersthrough which we travel. There is also explore Malay Jungle terrain that failed toconditions worsened when many of them were shipped off to Thailand tothe famous Strait of Messina, the narrow impede an invading army. We spend five- construct the infamous Death Railway under inhumane conditions. body of water that separates Sicily from nights in Singapore where we: scrutinisethe mainland, and from where the German the initial defence plan; inspect the coastalDay 0 Flights to Kuala Lumpur from LHR or makearmy orchestrated their almost miraculous batteries; stand on the Japanese landingyour own arrangements to join the tour at the hotel. escape in 1943.beaches; visit the British Command Centre;Day 1. Late afternoon arrival. Overnight at airportWhilst travelling through Sicily we contemplate the POW camp experience;hotel. Introductory talk (D) will admire its beauty, but also see for and reveal the Japanese massacre sites.Day 2 The Battle of Gemas: Gemencheh Bridgeourselves the difficulties the terrain posed We fly to Thailand where we spend threeambush. Bukit Kepong Malayan Emergencyfor both attacker and defender during days at Kanchanaburi where we exploreambush. Overnight Muar. (B,L,D) the war. We travel along the rock-strewn the Death Railway: riding and walkingDay 3 The Battle of Muar: Muar town, destructioncoastline, visit mountain top villages, scale along the line; exploring caves in whichof Japanese tanks at Bakri, massacre at Paritan active volcano and stay in some of the POWs sheltered; paying our respectsSulong. Johore Straits. Cross into Singapore 5islands most historic and picturesque at cemeteries; and visiting the topicalnights. (B,L,D) towns. This is a tour that has everything, in museums. Day 4 Assault on Singapore: Japanese landings,a place steeped in history.the Causeway, Kranji CWGC cemetery, Jurong-Kranji Defence Line, battles at Pasir Penjang and Adam Park. (B,L,D) Day 1 Fly London to Catania and drive to Syracuse or make your ownDay 5 The Guns of Singapore: Labrador Battery,arrangements to join the tour at the hotel. Hotel in Syracuse cable car to Sentosa Island, Siloso Battery. (B,L,D)3 nights. (D)Day 6 Downtown Singapore: Fort CanningDay 2 Landings at Gela: Gela Beachhead, Ponte Dirillo, Pachino. (B,D)command bunker, the Padang memorials,Day 3 British & Canadian landings: Castello Eurialo, Capo Porco di Murro,Singapore Cenotaph, City Hall, St AndrewsPonte Grande. Operation Ladbroke sites - Lamba Doria battery,Cathedral. Free afternoon and evening. (B,L)Fontane Bianche. (B,D)Day 7 Surrender and Occupation: Former Ford Factory, Bukit Bakot, JapaneseDay 4 Exploitation: Primosole Bridge Durham Light Infantry memorial,Cemetery, Punggol and Changi beach massacres, Changi prison, chapel Berkshire Farm. Drive to Catania. Hotel in Catania - 3 nights. (B,D)and museum. Johore Battery, Johore Straits. (B,L,D) Day 5 Cracking the Etna Line: Etna defences, Gerbini, Sferro, 51st DivisionDay 8 . Travel to Thailand: Morning flight to Bangkok. Nong Pladuk station.Memorial, Assoro, Regalbuto and Adrano, Agira CWGC Cemetery. (B,L,D)Kanchanaburi for 3 nights. (B,L,D) Day 6 . The End Run: Forte Cavali, Messina, Catania - German and Commonwealth Day 9 . Death Railway: Kanchanaburi CWGC cemetery, Thailand-Burma RailwayCemeteries, Storico dello Sbarco museum. (B,D)Centre, train journey over the River Kwai bridge to Than Krasae, trestle viaductDay 7 Aftermath: Mount Etna (via cable car). Fly Catania to London orand cave. Elephant sanctuary. Jungle walk to Tham Chaloei POW Cave. (B,L,D) perhaps extend your stay in Sicily. (B) ESSENTIALS Day 10 Hellfire Pass: interpretation centre, walk short section of railway to KonyuESSENTIALS4-star hotels, meals as indicated,Cutting. Optional extended walk to Hintok Cutting. Afternoon at leisure. (B,L,D)4-star hotels, meals as indicated, drinks with dinner, all entrance fees,Day 11 . River Kwai and home: Chong Kai CWGC cemetery, Curve Mountain viewdrinks with dinner, all entrance fees, tour manager and expert historianpoint, boat ride, Kanchanaburis two WW2 museums. To Bangkok airport, latetour manager and expert historian throughout, all internal travel, evening return flights, or perhaps extend your stay in Thailand. (B,L,D) throughout, all internal travel,optional travel from UK. optional travel from UK.58 www.theculturalexperience.com I info@theculturalexperience.com I UK0345 475 1815 I USA(toll-free) 877 209 5620 www.theculturalexperience.com I info@theculturalexperience.com I UK0345 475 1815 I USA(toll-free) 877 209 5620 59'