FROMELLES – POZIERES CENTENARY TOUR 2016 “From defeat to victory”
From
Lille TOUR CODE: FP166DLIL
When The Great War came to an end in 1918, Australia was left to come to terms with a war where in 2 ½ years over 46,000 men died on the Western Front with over 215.000 total casualties. Militarily however by the end of the war Australians were regarded as among the best fighting troops in the BEF. On this special tour we follow in their footsteps where this fearsome reputation was forged. Highlights: • Fromelles July 1916 – we commemorate the 100th anniversary of this bloody catastrophe • The Somme 1916 – Pozieres – where “Australian troops … fell more thickly on this ridge than on any other battlefield of the war”. Also Mouquet Farm • Wellington Tunnels, Arras – a tribute to the work of New Zealand tunnellers • The great 1917 battles for the ANZACs at Bullecourt, Messines and Passchendaele • Villers Bretonneux – where Australia saved the day in 1918 • The Last 100 days – Follow the ANZACS as they spearhead the Allied advance to victory through Amiens, Peronne and the St Quentin Canal.
Dates & Codes
18 – 24 July 2016 (REF: FP166DLIL) From
£1159 per person
DAY 1 – MONDAY 18 JULY 2016 9.00 – Meet Guide and coach at Lille Europe Station.Depart for Ypres . Lunch at own expense en route. We shall visit scenes of notable Australian actions in 1917. Messines Ridge – 3rd Australian Division attack 7-10 June 1917. Pool of Peace – A flooded mine crater with a spectacular view of the battlefield. Ploegsteert – Known to the troops as Plugstreet. We visit the new Interpretation centre. Toronto Avenue Cemetery – The cemetery contains the graves of officers and men of the 9th Brigade (3rd Australian Division) who died in the Battle of Messines. Lunch at own expense with time to explore Ypres. Hill 60 – Australian Tunnelling Corps Memorial Menin Road & Polygon Wood – 5th (Australian) Division Memorial – 3rd Battle of Check in to hotel in Kortrijk area. 19.00 Walk to Menin Gate.
20.00 Last Post Ceremony – An experience that will linger long in your memory. 20.30 Dinner in local restaurant in Ypres. Accommodation: 4 star: Sandton Hotel, Kortrijk Meals: D
DAY 2 – TUESDAY 19 JULY 2016 Depart hotel after breakfast with packed lunches for Fromelles area in France. Battle of Fromelles – 19 July 1916 – 20 July 1916. Fromelles was the first major battle fought by Australian troops on the Western Front. On 19th July 1916 two newly arrived infantry divisions, the 5th Australian and British 61st attacked a 4,000 yard section centred on a notorious strongpoint called the "Sugar Loaf". Advancing without cover, they suffered terrible casualties in a matter of minutes. The action was a bloody catastrophe for both the British and the Australians with over 5,500 casualties. The action still remains the worst day in Australian military history.
We will see the 1916 battlefield, including: VC Corner Australian Cemetery and ‘Cobbers’ Memorial Pheasant Wood cemetery – Completed in July 2010, Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery contains 250 Australian and British soldiers, whose remains were recovered in 2009. Visit to Fromelles Museum (admission included) Official Centenary Commemorations – The day’s activities will be flexible for us to participate Le Trou Aid Post Cemetery Rue Petillon Packed lunch provided. Return to hotel for dinner in local restaurant and overnight in Kortrijk. Accommodation: 4 star: Sandton Hotel, Kortrijk Meals: B L D
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