This week-long tour to Northern France and Belgium provides a timely overview of the major events involving British and Empire forces on the Western Front to mark the centenary commemorations of The Great War. Glimpses of battles such as Mons, Ypres, Neuve Chapelle, the Somme, Arras, Cambrai, the Kaiserschlact and the final advance to victory will put the whole war into perspective geographically, chronologically, strategically, tactically and technologically. Such a tour acts as both an introductory tour for the novice and as an essential ‘aide memoire’ to those more experienced. It will also be a welcome reminder of the customs and cuisine of this attractive part of Northern Europe.

For over four years, British and Commonwealth forces locked horns with the Germans in the fields of Northern France and Flanders. By the end of 1914 the fluid warfare fought by the professionals of the British Expeditionary Force had been ground down to the stalemate of trench warfare which the Territorial and Commonwealth troops could not break in 1915. The new Kitchener armies, despite massive artillery support, failed to achieve the hoped for break-through on the Somme in 1916, but the technological advances developed and trialled that year resulted in the first major contribution of the tank at Cambrai in 1917. With the clock ticking, the Germans reverted once more to manoeuvre warfare and launched their Kaiser’s offensive in the spring of 1918 only for it to be exhausted by Allied defence in depth. But the consequent August ‘Hundred Days’ counter offensive led to an unstoppable Allied march to victory and the end of the First World War.

Day 1- Mons.
Depart Central London for the Channel Tunnel and drive to where the first and last shots of the War were co-incidentally fired just outside Mons. We then follow the course of the battle including Nimy railway bridge and the skirmish at Casteau. Check-in to our hotel in Mons for one night.

Day 2 – Le Cateau.
We salute the first and last to fall at the St Symporien Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery. With the first and last few weeks being fought over much the same ground, our itinerary covers remarkable actions from both periods including the Cheshire Regiments stand at Elouges, the Kiwi’s taking of Le Quesnoy, William Owen’s grave beside the Canal du Nord and the last one-day battle at Le Cateau. Check-in our hotel near Ypres for two nights.

Day 3 – Ypres.
A very full day spent examining the establishment of the Salient in 1914; its subsequent defence against the 1915 gas attack in 1915; the carnage of 1917 that included Passchendaele; and 1918’s defence during the Kaiser’s push.

Day 4 – Messines, Neuve Chapelle & Frommelles.
Beginning with the 1917 Messines success, we explore the Artois battles including Neuve Chapelle, where the Indian Army did so well, and the subsequent failures of Aubers Ridge and Loos of 1915. We’ll also examine another failure, that of 1916 at Frommelle where the newly arrived ANZACs received a baptism of fire. Check-in to our hotel in Arras for three nights.

Day 5 - The Somme.
Our focus is exploring the events of 1916, especially the notorious 1st July. The names are etched into our common consciousness; Serre, Theipval, Pozieres, Beaumont Hamel, Delville Wood, Lochnagar, Mametz. These sites will be become more than simply names after our emotional return.

Day 6 - The Battle in Arras, Cambrai, 1917 and breaking the Hindenburg Line, 1918. In particular we’ll visit Vimy Ridge, the Grange Tunnels and memorial; Monchy Le Pret and the Canal du Nord.

Day 7 – The Kaiser’s Offensive 1918 and the Battle of Amiens.
We follow the German’s spring advance to Villers Brettonneux, study the ANZAC success at Le Hamel and the first tank ‘battle’ at Cachy. Overnight Amiens.

Day 8 – Victory.
Our focus has been on the front line so to help round our picture of the Western Front, we follow a route back to ‘Blighty’ that will introduce aspects of life in the rear and base. Doullens, where Foch took over allied command; the GHQ town of Montreuil; RFC sites; and medical areas will feature, along with some surprising ‘finds’. Return to London.