The involvement of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF), more affectionately known as Doughboys, is much overlooked and forgotten (especially in Britain) but during this tour we will explore the ground and hear the stories of their crucial and sometimes heroic contribution to the final victory. Travelling mainly in the Meuse-Argonne area which played a key part throughout the war, especially for the AEF, we will experience the deep valleys, thick forests and strong fortified positions that had to be overcome in those final months and weeks. We will be based in the medieval, Champagne city of Reims, and Verdun, the latter historically one of the most strategically important fortified towns in France. In both we immerse ourselves into a rich culture of history and cuisine, a crucial ingredient of this exceptional tour.

The Americans were eventually drawn into the First World War in mid-1917 after the Germans inauguration of unrestricted submarine warfare and the debacle of the Zimmermann telegram. At first American troops were almost ‘drip-fed’ onto the frontline to shore up weakened positions, but by the war’s end there were 1.4 million US troops on the western front. Led by Major-General John Pershing, hero of the Spanish-American War, the AEF became a key player in the in the Hundred Days that broke the back of the German defence and ultimately bought the war to an end. Their heaviest involvement came in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, fought over much of the ground associated with the 1916 battle of Verdun. The American role in the final victory gave their President, Woodrow Wilson, a seat at the peace settlement where he would implement his 14 Points and found The League of Nations.

Day 1 – Belleau Wood

Take the early Eurostar to Paris and travel east to visit the Great War Museum at Meaux with its superb collection of US memorabilia. Thence to the Château Thierry American memorial; the preserved battlefield of Belleau Wood to learn about the contribution of Theodore Roosevelt's sons and follow in the footsteps of the US Marines. We end the day at the German military cemetery at Belleau, the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and the Belleau Wood memorial. Check-in to our Reims hotel for one night.

Day 2 – The Lost Battalion

We’ll continue studying the AEF contribution during The Second Battle of the Marne then proceed to the Argonne where we’ll be introduced to the predominantly African-American Buffalo Soldiers (92nd Infantry Division) & Harlem Hellfighters (369th Infantry Regiment) and follow the famous Lost Battalion into the Argonne forests. Check-in to our Verdun hotel for three nights.

Day 3 – Meuse-Argonne Offensive

This morning we will concentrate on the Meuse-Argonne Offensive opening attack, with the savage fighting for the Heights including the almost legendary actions of Sgt. York, who stormed German machine gun nests and took 132 German prisoners almost single handed, earning him the Medal of Honour. This afternoon we examine the capture of the Meuse Heights and the attack of 1 November, signalling the final push towards Sedan. Other sites to be visited will include Montfaucon and Pennsylvania Division memorials and Romagne Cemetery, the final resting place of over 14,000 Americans.

Day 4 – St Mihiel Salient

Today we concentrate on the St Mihiel salient and the First Army and Second Army Offensives in September 1918. Our story will include The Yankee Division, America’s first tank attack led by George Patton (then a Lieutenant Colonel), and the AEF’s first experience of limited trench warfare. We will also visit the Montsec Memorial located on a former German stronghold and the US St Mihiel Cemetery.

Day 5 – Verdun

Before we take our leave of the region we will take the opportunity to visit a few key features of the 1916 Verdun battlefield; Fort Douaumont the largest of the Verdun forts, the ruined village of Fleury and French National Ossuary before taking the TGV from Meuse back to Paris and onto London.