The First World War was the worst battle of all time, lasting a grand total of 4 years, 3 months and 13 days. It ended on the 11th November 1918 and took a vast number of casualties; over 40 million people.
There have been many programmes and documentaries made surrounding World War I, all engaging the viewers with shocking historical facts and images of what occurred during this time. Battlefield tours have become quite popular over the years. These tours allow you to visit the places where this war took place. Here you will be able to see the scale of sites in which the troops were working and the bleakness of some of the areas. These tours can be emotive and harrowing, giving you a real sense and understanding of the carnage and heart ache that took place in these sites.
Here are some of the different tours available for you to experience:
Passchendaele and Arras Tour
This tour covers all battlefield sites within the local area and tour operators will be able to provide details of battles and fights that occurred. If you are interested in the history and / or have family connections linked to World War I the tour operators will be able to offer advice and assistance on locating someone specials grave or burial site. Historical records may also be available for you to look at. During your trip you will also be able to visit the French Western front.
There are many accommodation options available for you to choose. Trips usually include accommodation in the areas of Arras or Ypres as this is where many of the key memorials and cemeteries are located including Cambrai and Vimy Ridge.
Somme
The battle of the Somme was a World War I battle fought by the armies of the British Empire and the French Third Republic against the German Empire. This Battle was intended to hasten a victory for the allies and was the largest battle on the western front.
This battle was fought in traditional World War I style on the western front: trench warfare. This gave the Germans an advantage as they dug their trenches deeper than their allies giving them an advantageous position and a better line of site for welfare.
A tour around this area can last around four days with a focus on the British Army Black day that took place on the 1st of July, 1916 which saw over 57,000 British soldiers killed or wounded. The tour itinerary covers the Gommecourt battlefield and the Sheffield Memorial Park. Redan Ridge is also included where several casualties occurred. Here you can visit the Newfoundland Park and see the trenches and visit the Somme museum.
Western Front End to End
This popular tour takes you on a journey to travel along the whole length of Western front, from end to end. The tour starts on the Belgian coast and reaches as far as the boarder with Switzerland. This trip includes visits to many sites from the beaches near Nieuport, the Battlefields of the Somme, the trenches at Massiges and the “Meat Grinder” and Le Linge and Verdun. This tour lasts approximately 9 days to cover all of the stop offs.
World War I Poets Tour
The Great War inspired a myriad of poignant poetry and moving literature, from the tragedy of a lost generation to the horrors of the life in a trench. World War I gives us an amazing insight into the period and the battles that our troops fought. This tour gives a new perspective on World War I and looks at some of the key war time poets such as Wilfred Owen. This tours highlights include: visiting the grave of Edward Thomas in Arras and also the battlefield where he died. A trip to Flanders and Ypres to look at the works of Henry Williamson, Francis Ledwidge and Hedd Wynn. A trip to the Somme including the story of Will Streets.
Above the Battlefield Tour
The war above the western front witnessed planes being used for observation in 1914, to air fighting and then as bombers in 1918. This new tour looks at the battlefields of World War I: the sky. On this tour you will visit the key battlefield sites around northern France and visit the graves of Victoria Cross, Albert Ball VC and Major Hawker to name a few. We will also pay our respects in Ypres as we attend the moving Last Post Ceremony on the final day of this informative tour.
These are just some of the World War I Battlefields tours that are available for you to experience and enjoy.
Book through Door2Tour today to visit the World War I battlefields.