TUNNELLERS
ON THE WESTERN FRONT
SAMPL ITINERA E RY
The Real Birdsong Tunnellers on the Western Front 1915–1918 WW1 Some of you may have had your interest piqued by the descriptions of tunnelling in Sebastian Faulks’ book ‘Birdsong’ or the recent television drama of the same name. Maybe you have heard about the buried tunnels that are still found on the Western Front today. Join us on this tour and see where it really happened...and why. Underground warfare was not a First World War innovation but it was waged on both sides with a ferocity every bit as intense as the war above ground. This tour takes you to the places where that underground war was fought and explains how it developed from 1915 to 1918. We will tell you stories of the Tunnellers and their sacrifices and show you the remains of their endeavours. This was not ‘Birdsong’ – this was real and infinitely worse.
Sample itinerary for personal & group tours
Dates
Available year round
£POA per person
DAY ONE: EN ROUTE TO ARRAS
DAY TWO: MINING NORTH OF ARRAS
Meet at London Victoria. Depart London for Dover and the P&O Ferry crossing to Calais. Lunch on the ferry at own expense. Once across the Channel we will travel to our base in Arras, stopping en route to look across at the remains of the Hohenzollern Redoubt on the 1915 Loos Battlefield, where some of the early tunnelling took place. Hear how mining techniques developed in 1915 and into early 1916. Arriving in Arras, we will book into our hotel and then the evening will be at leisure. Dinner provided in hotel.
Breakfast in hotel. Depart hotel with packed lunch provided. We first drive north to Givenchy-les-laBassée to view the memorial to the Tunnelling Companies of the First World War. Hear the story of Sapper William Hackett, the only Tunneller to be awarded the Victoria Cross – a tragic, dramatic tale of extraordinary bravery. We will see the site of the Red Dragon Crater where nearly two thirds of B Company, 2nd Royal Welsh Fusiliers was wiped out. We then drive to Vimy Ridge and visit the Grange Tunnels used by the Canadians for their successful attack in 1917 on the hitherto impregnable Vimy Ridge. After free time and lunch in Arras, we will visit the Wellington Quarry
Accommodation: Arras Meals: D
underground museum, created in a section of tunnels dug by the British Army in 1914-18. These First World War tunnels concealed thousands of soldiers before their surprise attack in April 1917. They connect with original tunnels and quarries dating back to the middle ages and Roman times underneath the city of Arras. Finally, we will pay a visit to the Arras Memorial and CWGC Cemetery, before returning to our hotel. Dinner in hotel included. Accommodation: Arras Meals: B L D More itinerary on the following page
TUNNELLERS
ON THE WESTERN FRONT DAY THREE: THE SOMME
DAY FOUR: THE YPRES SALIENT
Breakfast in hotel. Breakfast in the hotel. Depart hotel with packed lunch for the Somme. This morning will take the form of a gentle walk visiting Hawthorn Ridge, Hawthorn Ridge Mine Crater, the Sunken Lane and Beaumont Hamel. We will look at the fighting of 1 July 16 in the AuchonvillersBeaumont-Hamel sector and the actions of the 29th Division, with particular reference to the mines. In the afternoon, we visit the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme and see the names of the Tunnellers whose bodies were never found. Then we visit Lochnagar Crater, one of the largest ever – blown on 1st July 1916. This is followed by the highlight of the day: a guided visit to the La Boiselle Project. We are privileged be allowed into this project. The evening will be free time. Dinner provided in hotel.
Check out of and depart hotel after an early breakfast. We start our journey home by driving north to the Ypres Salient where we will visit sites associated with the Battle of Messines, the scene on 7 June 1917 of the largest mining attack in the history of warfare. At Hill 60 we see the traces of mines from 1915 through to 1917. Our final stop this morning is at the RE grave at Railway Wood, the last resting place of twelve tunnellers. We then drive into Ypres where there is free time for shopping and lunch at own expense before heading for Calais and the journey home.
Accommodation: Arras Meals: B L D
Accommodation: None Meals: B
DATES
TWIN / DOUBLE ROOM
SRS*
Year round
£POA
£POA
per person
• Per person based on twin/double share • Subject to currency fluctuation & confirmation at time of booking * Single Room Supplement
INCLUDES • P&O Ferry Dover to Calais return • Luxury mini coach with DVD and air conditioning throughout tour • Military historian and experienced guide throughout tour originating in London • 3 nights in Arras • Breakfast daily • Dinner nightly • 2 packed lunches • Entrance fees as detailed in itinerary • Dedicated tour webpage including details of accommodation and tour • Social media presentation including original film footage, images and historical background • Group forum with photo gallery where group members can ask your guide questions • Links through to in-depth research and a wealth of background information COSTS DO NOT INCLUDE • Meals unless listed above • Beverages EXTRAS We are pleased to arrange the following: (Subject to additional charges) • Transport from home town to London or Dover via train or flights • Pre or post tour accommodation in London or Dover TERMS & CONDITIONS • £100 Per Person deposit required to confirm booking • Final Payment 10 weeks prior to departure • Please see website for full Terms & Conditions
For enquiries or booking please contact:
tours@spiritofremembrance.com or call 01634 233785