Military History Tours Australia Western Front ANZAC Day at the Somme Memorial 2011
|
In WW1, after the 8 months campaign at Gallipoli, Australian Troops entered the trenches of France and Belgium. Three years later over 52,000 were dead. In 1918, on 24/25 April, Australian Troops recaptured the Village of Villers-Bretonneux, and forced a German withdrawal. The significance of this battle was not lost on our Allies. The troops who retook Villers, were part of the 5 Australian Divisions urgently brought by rail from Belgium to prevent a German breakthrough. The German Armies had been reinforced by troops from the Russian Front. Russia had withdrawn from the war.
It is significant that in spite of the fierce fighting that Australians faced at places such as Pozieres, Bullecourt, Mont St Quentin, Le Hamel and countless other sites, the major Australian Memorial is at Villers-Bretonneux. The size and solitude of the Memorial is overwhelming. Etched into the walls below the 32m high tower which dominates the area around for a great distance, are the names of over 11,000 Australian soldiers who have no known grave in France. On 25 April 2011, it is the 93rd Anniversary of the Battle of Amiens, as it is known to the locals in The Somme. There are museums in Villers-Bretonneux, Bullecourt and Peronne that are dedicated to the diggers of WW1. The Victoria School in Villers-Bretonneux carries the sign in English "Do Not Forget Australia".
There are two tours escorted by Military Historian Colonel Graham Fleeton supported by a team of experienced guides. Programme 1, of 6 days covers the battlefields and ceremonies in France. Programme 2, of 13 days extends the battlefield tour and adds sightseeing in Paris and London. Use the button below to see a short video of the significance of the battle at Villers-Bretonneux to France and Australia (Windows Media player required 1.1 mb .wmv file visit www.microsoft.com to obtain a player if you do not have one installed).
|
Every year, Australians make the journey to the Gallipoli Peninsula to attend the ANZAC DAY Dawn Service at
ANZAC Cove. Every year, all around Australia, many of us set our alarms and attend Dawn Services at our local RSL Club memorial.
| In Flanders' Fields
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scare heard amid the guns below. We are the dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders' Fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders'Fields. Colonel John McRae |
For the fallen
With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children, England mourns for her dead across the sea. Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit, Fallen in the cause of the free. Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres. There is a music in the midst of desolation And a glory that shines upon our tears. They went with songs to the battle, they were young, Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow. They were staunch to the end against odds uncountered: They fell with their faces to the foe. They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. Laurence Binyon, 21 September 1914 |
|
$2,995.00 per person twin share. $550 single supplement.
Included in this price:
 |
Accommodation for 5 nights in The Somme (see Booking Terms and Conditions) |
|
5 full breakfasts |
|
4 lunches |
|
5 dinners |
|
3 days battlefield tours with Military Historian |
|
All transport by air conditioned coaches |
|
Hospitality vehicles for special cemetery visits as per the itinerary |
|
Military Historian with Tour |
Not included in this price
| Alcohol unless where specified Laundry, dry cleaning phone calls Insurance (see Booking Terms and Conditions) Other items of a personal nature Air travel to/from Australia Transfers to and from airports |
|
$4,995.00 per person twin share. $1,300 single supplement.
Included in this price:
|
Accommodation for 12 nights as follows; 2 nights Paris, 5 nights The Somme, 3 nights leper, 2 nights London (see Booking Terms and Conditions) |
|
12 full breakfasts |
|
6 lunches |
|
8 dinners |
|
5 days battlefield tours |
|
All transport by air conditioned coaches |
|
Hospitality vehicles for special cemetery visits as per the itinerary |
|
Half day sightseeing Paris |
|
Ferry tickets Calais to Dover |
|
Military Historian with tour |
Not included in this price
| Alcohol unless where specified Laundry, dry cleaning phone calls Insurance (see Booking Terms and Conditions) Other items of a personal nature Air travel to/from Australia Transfers to and from airports |
|
DAY
1: Saturday 23 April 2011
Guests arriving in Paris, have the option of travelling to The Somme on one of our coaches that will depart our Paris Hotel or Charles de Gaulle Airport at 08:30 hours, or by own arrangements.
On arrival at your hotel, your historian will assist with your check in. The remainder of the day is free to relax, unpack and meet some of your fellow guests.
After settling in guests will travel to Peronne where you will be able to visit the “Historial de la Grande Guerre” museum followed by a reception to meet local dignitaries. You return to your hotel for dinner.
DAY 2: Sunday 24 April 2011
After breakfast, your coach will depart for the first of three days touring The Somme Battlefields. Your military historian travelling with you will brief you during the day on events and the significance of the places you visit.
During the touring days you will visit the battle sites, memorials and cemeteries of the Somme including Bullecourt, Lochnagar Crater, Pozieres, Delville Wood, Beaumont Hamel, Villers-Bretonneux, Mont St Quentin and many more. You will also visit Bellenglise, the 4th Division Memorial and where the Australian Corps under General Monash left the line for the last time, Montbrehain.
Today, if you have a specific cemetery to visit to pay your respects to a relative, or for a friend, your historian will use some time today to do so. If the location you are seeking is outside the scope of the coach and time available, we will have hospitality vehicles available to do a special trip for you. On return to your hotel, dinner and a quiet evening for tomorrow is a big day.
DAY 3: Monday 25 April 2011 (Our Other ANZAC Day)
A wake up call pre dawn, coffee and tea in your hotel lobby
and then it is all aboard for the Dawn Service, the third in 92 years on the Western Front in The Somme.
On arrival at the site you will be ushered into the area at the base of the memorial for the traditional Dawn Service. (A separate program will be issued at the site).
At the completion of the service, you will have time to mingle with one another, meet other visitors and inspect this magnificent structure which carries the names of almost 11,000 Australian diggers who lost their lives fighting for you and who have no known grave in France. Mid morning your coaches will come forward to take you into Villers-Bretonneux. Here you will be served a well earned breakfast.
During the rest of the day, there will be time to meet the locals and visit the Victoria School, famous for its sign over the school playground, “Do not forget AUSTRALIA”.
A visit to the Australian Museum at the school is also a must. A great opportunity for souvenirs as well.
No ANZAC Day is complete without a march. With military bands playing and at least one Australian RSM Infantry Corps to marshal you, you will march through this historic town to the sounds of Waltzing Matilda, finishing in the town square where our guests of honour will take the salute.
As it was a very early start we intend to move back to our hotels in the early afternoon.
This evening dinner is at your hotel.
DAY 4: Tuesday 26 April 2011
Breakfast at leisure. Your historian will determine a departure time by mutual consent for your second day of battlefield touring. With a box lunch for sustenance, you will again be led through the Somme battlefields by your historian.
Our hospitality vehicles will again be available for those special visits to that specific cemetery.
This evening dinner is at your hotel.
DAY 5: Wednesday 27 April 2011
After breakfast, and at an agreed time, you set off for your third day touring The Somme with your trusty box lunch in hand.
Again, based on individual requirements your military historian on board will aim to get to places you need to visit. Our hospitality vehicles will support him in this task.
This evening dinner is at your hotel.
DAY 6: Thursday 28 April 2011
A not too early breakfast. Coaches will be returning to Paris for those who have booked this arrangement. Those who are on Program 2, will depart for Belgium via the Australian battlefields at Fromelles and the Ieper Salient.
|
DAY 1:
Thursday 21 April 2011
MHT Staff will be on hand to greet you as you arrive at our hotel. The rest of the day and evening is free to relax and meet other guests as they arrive.
DAY 2: Friday 22 April 2011
After breakfast at the hotel, coaches will depart for a half day city sightseeing, including the Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysee, Opera, Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame. Guests may leave the coach at any time and use the rest of the day to explore this beautiful city. The evening is at leisure.
DAY 3: Saturday 23 April 2011
After breakfast, your coaches will depart for The Somme and your hotel for the next 5 nights.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - -
(You now join tour 1 through until
28 April 2011)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
DAY 8: Thursday 28 April 2011
After a not too early breakfast, you and your military historian will depart for Belgium. We travel via Fromelles, VC Corner, the Cobber Memorial, Ploegstreert Wood and Messines. On arrival, there may be time to visit the Cloth Museum before dinner at your hotel.
DAY 9: Friday 29 April 2011
Breakfast at your hotel. A change of pace today. Just relax or take your coach to Brugge for a morning, afternoon or day shopping and taking in the sights. Lace and chocolate are said to be the best in the world.
Tonight before dinner we will visit the Menin Gate and attend the Last Post ceremony. Dinner at your hotel.
DAY 10: Saturday 30 April 2011
After breakfast, and with your box lunch, we set out to visit the Ieper Salient Battlefields including Hill 60, Polygon Wood, (the 5 Division Memorial), Passchendale and Tyne Cot cemetery.
This evening dinner is at your hotel.
DAY 11: Sunday 1 May 2011
Breakfast at your hotel. Today we leave the Continent and travel to London via Calais and Dover. Your coaches from Dover will arrive at your London hotel mid afternoon.
The evening is free for making your own plans.
DAY 12: Monday 2 May 2011
Breakfast at your hotel. Free day to take in the sights of London. Evening at leisure.
DAY 13: Tuesday 3 May 2011
Today, after breakfast, your Tour ends.
|
1. GENERAL This tour has been prepared in conjunction with the "Somme Remembrance Association", The Somme Tourist Information Office, the Mayors of the Towns and
Villages.
2. Military History Tours Australia Pty Ltd (MHT), urges you to read the booking terms and conditions and contact us or your travel agent if you need any clarification. At the time of publishing this on the internet, the arrangements outlined in it, the price and the inclusions were all confirmed. However, MHT reserves the right to make amendments to the program and the price, should conditions beyond the control of MHT change.
3. DEPOSITS A deposit of AUD $500.00 per person is required to secure a booking on tour 1 or tour 2. Acceptable accommodation in The Somme is very limited, and the availability of it will determine how many can finally attend the ANZAC day ceremony. The nearest major location where significant accommodation is readily available is Paris, over 200 kilometres away.
4. BOOKINGS Bookings can be made direct with MHT, or through your local travel agent. If your travel agent is not aware of this program, have them contact us and we will provide them with the details they require. The registration form enclosed must reach MHT, together with the deposit, to secure a reservation.
5. FINAL PAYMENT & CANCELLATIONS Final payment will be required by 30 November 2010. Any cancellations prior to this date will be entitled to a full refund. After 30 November 2010, cancellation will attract a 50% cancellation fee, and after 28 February, 2011, no refund will be applicable. You should consider insurance if you believe you may have to cancel arrangements close to these dates.
6. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
If you are travelling on an Australian passport, you will not need visas to any countries the tours visit. However, we recommend that your passport has a minimum of 6 months validity at the time of your departure from Australia.
If you are travelling on other than an Australian passport you should check with your travel agent or
MHT on the requirements.
7. ACCOMMODATION All hotels have private facilities, heating and are within 50 - 60 kilometres of the Australian Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux. Should the number of bookings result in filling our accommodation, then any further people booking will be provided with alternatives for their consideration.
8. CHILDREN & INFANTS No deposits are required for children under 12 years of age. However, they should be detailed on the registration form so that appropriate accommodation is provided. The cost for children and infants, under 3, will be provided on request.
9. SPECIAL REQUESTS Should you have special food requirements, a disability that will require special handling, or any other need, please detail it on the registration form. Most accommodation in France has a lot of smoking rooms, but we will allocate rooms with non smokers together when designated non smoking rooms are not available.
10. INSURANCE It is not acceptable for MHT to accept people on its tours who are not holding appropriate travel insurance. You should discuss the best for you with your travel agent or MHT prior to departure.
11. INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS Each tour lists the inclusions and exclusions detailed above. If you are not certain of anything, clarify with your travel agent or MHT.
12. TOUR CANCELLATION MHT reserves the right to cancel this tour at any time prior to commencement should booking numbers be insufficient to cover costs. Should the tour be cancelled subject to this clause, all payments made to MHT will be refunded.
13. SUMMARY MHT has run battlefield tours for 20 years. If you join one of these tours, MHT guarantee that should you have a specific Australian grave site to visit for family or other reasons, providing it is registered with Australian war graves and near to the tour route, we will make sure you visit the site and have time to lay a wreath or poppy. During the dawn service, MHT guests will have the opportunity to lay a wreath on behalf of their club or association or for other personal reasons. Medals and uniforms should be worn to all services.
14. LAW OF CONTRACT The contract for "Our Other ANZAC Day" tours are governed in all aspects by the law in the state of NSW and any legal action arising under the contract shall be litigated only in the appropriate court having jurisdiction in that state.
15. TRAVELLING WITH MEDALS
For those who wish to display their own or a relative's medals at the ANZAC Day Service, the airline security situation must be recognised. Due to the pin at the rear of all medal displays, it is no longer possible to carry them as hand luggage and they must be deposited in your main luggage (cargo hold bag). Valuable original medals in your cargo hold bag could be lost. Insurance can cover the cost to replace your clothing, not your great grandfather's original World War 1 medals. It is recommended that you purchase a duplicate set, and put it in your cargo hold bag.
Leave your valuable original medals at home.
