The Western Front Association Chairman's Tour - Arras to Cambrai Tour

The Western Front Association Tour in connection with Battle Honours

An Overview and Background Information

The Western Front Association is pleased to launch its range of national tours with a comprehensive study of the fateful corridor between Arras and Cambrai. The tour is designed to enable WFA members to travel to the battlefields together and gain greater insights into this conflict which fascinates us all. It will also create an even stronger bond between members of our Association and foster the WFA's great sense of camaraderie.

The tour will cover the ground between Arras & Cambrai and focus on the Battle of Arras during the spring of 1917, the Cambrai offensive of November the same year, the Kaiserschlacht the following March and the Advance to Victory during August & September of 1918. Personal visits for relatives or research purposes are positively encouraged among the group which will be limited to around 30 spaces. This is a non walking tour that will be accessible for members of all ages and levels of fitness.

The tour will be guided by Clive Harris & one of his colleagues from Battle Honours Ltd, both of whom will hold the Guild of Battlefield Guides Badge. In addition we will have an input from David Hedges of the Durand Group when studying the Tunnelling campaign at Arras and Philippe Gorczynski when studying the Tanks at Cambrai, both widely acknowledged authorities in their field.

The tour is ideal for people who have never visited this ground as well as the more experienced battlefield traveller who wishes to study a specific area or action. By taking two experienced guides the focus is on quality with a ratio of 15 clients per guide this will not feel like a large group.

It is also anticipated that a prominent member of the national committee will be present throughout and a group meal will be arranged for our final evening, whilst the finite details of the itinerary will be arranged around participants requests the outlined framework for the tour will be as follows;

Tour base - Our host Philippe Gorczynski owns the excellent Hotel Beatus in Cambrai,
www.beatus-cambrai.com with comfortable well appointed rooms and an excellent restaurant, our longest drive will be 45 minutes during the tour. The hotel is also well placed for exploring Cambrai and there will be no pressure to dine as a group, this is your tour and as such is arranged on a Bed & Breakfast basis.

26 October 2012 - Coach pick up in Birmingham, London and Maidstone services before onward travel via Dover to Calais. Cemetery visit on route to our mainstay hotel in Cambrai, welcome brief on arrival

27 October 2012 - The Battle of Arras – a full days study to include a visit to the Maison Blanche sub-terrain with David Hedges of the Durand Group, visits to Tilloy, Monchy, Roux, Gavrelle, Oppy Wood & Heninel complete our day before returning to Cambrai.

28 October 2012 - The Hindenburg Line - a full days study including Croiselles, Cherisy, Queant, the Canal du Nord & Bourlon Wood before returning to Cambrai.

29 October 2012 - visit to D51 Deborah and presentation by Philippe Gorczynski, tour of the Havrincourt battlefield completes our morning before a return via Calais to Dover and onward to Maidstone, London & Birmingham.

As the tour fills up and peoples individual requests are taken into consideration the itinerary will develop in more detail, the key thing is this is your tour and will be tailored to meet your needs.