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Chemin Des Dames – Following last year's successful tour of the Vosges sector this seasons flagship tour will be to the Chemin des Dames, this very under visited battlefield contains miles of untouched trenches, hidden bunkers and caves and remote cemeteries and memorials. Scene of bitter fighting in 1914, 1917 & 1918 each of our tour days will deal with a different aspect of the fighting, based in the pleasant town of Laon this is a tour not to be missed if you seeking out a new area of the western front.
Day 1 - Travel from UK to our tour base in Laon, welcome lecture on arrival.
Day 2 - The BEF 1914, we travel south to Walk 1 - Villers Cotterets, here we discover the story of the Guards action in September 1914 and visit the Soissons Memorial, after lunch we continue to Vailly sur Aisne to visit the cemetery and learn the story of Captain Theodore Wright of the Royal Engineers and his VC action in the village.
Walk two We end the day in the vicinity of Cerny where we study the BEF action of September 1914 including the Loyal North Lancs and a Victoria Cross awarded to Pte Ross Tollerton of the Cameron Highlanders before returning to Laon.
Day 3 The BEF 1918, Walk 3 – This walk from La Ville aux Bois Les Pontavert to the village of Pontavert follows the retreat of the Devonshire’s who as part of the 8th Division were attacked alongside the 50th Northumbrian Division by the Germans after a hurricane mortar bombardment on the 27 May 1918. The full days walk follows abandoned trench lines isolated cemeteries and memorials as we follow the historic events of the day.
Day 4 - Chateau Thierry – In the morning we visit the American battle sites at Chateau Thierry where in July 1918 the US forces led by General Pershing took part in their first major and ultimately successful battle of the war. Walk 4 – the afternoon walk studies the US Marine Corps fighting at Belleau Wood in June 1918, the wood is littered with preserved trenches, field guns and memorials in addition to its impressive cemetery making for a fascinating and moving day.
Day 5 - Travel back to the UK.
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