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Peter started 'Springs Military History' in 2014, which offers family military research and personalised battlefield tour itineraries. His knowledge of military history and his many years of research make him the ideal person to lead the 2020 Military History Battlefield tour.
VIEW ITINERARYDAY 1: Thursday 16 September 2021
Depart Australia
Today we depart for London, UK.
DAY 2: Friday 17 September 2021 Cambridge, UK
On arrival we will transfer to our accommodation in Cambridge. Cambridge
is a city on the River Cam in eastern England, home to the prestigious
University of Cambridge, dating to 1209. The rest of the day is free for
independent sightseeing. This evening we will enjoy a welcome dinner.
DAY 3: Saturday 18 September 2021 Cambridge, UK
Duxford Air Show
Today is the first of our two days at The Battle of Britain 80th Anniversary
Airshow at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford. During the Second World
War Duxford played a prominent role during the Battle of Britain and was
later used by United States Army Air Forces fighter units in support of the
daylight bombing of Germany. We will get to witness all the aerial displays
of vintage Second World War planes such as the Spitfire, Hurricane and
Lancaster right through to the modern jets of today.
DAY 4: Sunday 19 September 2021 Cambridge, UK
Duxford Air Show
Today is our second day at the Air show. Peter will point out some of the
highlights of the show. At the conclusion of the Air show we will travel to
London for a three night stay.
DAY 5: Monday 20 September 2021 London, UK
In the morning we will enjoy a guided coach tour of London. See Buckingham
Palace, the Tower of London, Big Ben and many other famous landmarks. In
the afternoon visit the Churchill War Rooms build underneath the streets of
London. This underground Head Quarters was where Winston Churchill and
the Chiefs of Staff planned and directed the Second World War. This evening
you may like to attend a West End Show.
DAY 6: Tuesday 21 September 2021 London, UK
This morning we head straight to HMS Belfast, one of the largest and
most powerful cruisers ever built. Now moored on the Thames in London,
HMS Belfast played a crucial role in protecting the Artic Convoys, Russia's
supply route throughout the war until 1944 when she supported the D-day
landings. In the afternoon we will visit the Imperial War Museum, recognised
as one of the great military museums in the world.
DAY 7: Wednesday 22 September 2021 Caen (Normandy), France
Today we catch a morning service on the Eurostar train to Paris. On arrival
in Paris we will board our coach and head towards Normandy. At the town
of Vimoutiers we'll stop to see a preserved German Tiger Tank just to the
side of the road. As we head towards Caen we will travel through the town
of Falaise. This was the site of a huge encirclement of the German army as
they retreated from Normandy. In the afternoon we will visit Bénouville,
site of the Pegasus Bridge and the Museum dedicated to the operation to
capture the bridge in the early hours of June 6th 1944. On our way to our
accommodation in Caen we will stop at the Ranville War Cemetery where
many of the soldiers of the 6th Airborne Divison are buried.
DAY 8: Thursday 23 September 2021 Caen (Normandy), France
British Sector of Normandy
Today is the first of two full days covering the Normandy landings. Operation
Overlord launched on June 6th 1944 was the largest amphibious military
operation in history. The British landed on 3 beaches codenamed Gold, Juno
(Canadian) and Sword with Paratroopers landing in the early morning to
cover the Eastern flank of the operation. We'll see all three landing beaches
including Gold beach where remnants of the pre-fabricated portable
harbour (Mulberry) are still visible in the water. The British Cemetery in
Bayeux will also be visited.
DAY 9: Friday 24 September 2021 Caen (Normandy), France
American Sector of Normandy
Our second day covering the Normandy landings see's us in the American
Sector. Our first stop will be the American Cemetery behind Omaha Beach.
We will stop to set foot on the beach, particularly at 'Dog Green' sector,
the worst sector of the beach recreated in Saving Private Ryan. Leaving
Omaha Beach we will visit Point-de-Hoc, a German Gun position captured
by US Rangers having scaled the cliffs from the beach below. Thousands
of Germans died defending the coast and many of them are buried at La
Cambe German Cemetery which we'll stop at on our way around to Utah
Beach and the Airborne troops landing zones including Ste-Marie-du-Mont
and Ste-Mere-Elglise.
DAY 10: Saturday 25 September 2021 Cambrai, France
Travel to Cambrai
Today we leave Normandy and head to Cambrai in Northern France.
Along the way we will visit Dieppe. The Dieppe Raid was an Allied assault
on the German-occupied port of Dieppe, France on 19 August 1942. Our
accommodation in Cambrai will be our base for the next 4 nights.
DAY 11: Sunday 26 September 2021 Cambrai, France
Australia on the Western Front (Somme 1916)
Today we switch our attention to the Battlefields of the First World War. On
the 1st of July, 1916 the British attacked along the Somme River to break
through the German lines. Our first stop will be the massive Lochnagar
crater blown on the first day of the attack. The Australians were brought
into the attack a few weeks later at Pozieres. The 1st, 2nd and 4th Divisions
were used and sustained 23,000 casualties over 6 weeks. We will spend some
time in Pozieres, seeing the Pozieres British Cemetery, 1st Division Memorial,
Gibraltar fortification, and the Windmill site. Also a walk along the front line
of the initial attack. From here we pass Moquet Farm and head to Thiepval
Memorial to the missing. From here it's a short drive to Newfoundland
Memorial Park at Beaumont Hamel. This section of the line was attacked by
the Newfoundland regiment on the first day of the attack and were virtually
wiped out. This area still bears the scars of war with shell holes and trench
lines clearly visible. Our final stop will be at Flers were the Australians spent
the horrible winter of 1916/17.
DAY 12: Monday 27 September 2021 Cambrai, France
Australia on the Western Front (Bullecourt)
Early in 1917 the Australian pursued the German Army as they withdrew to
the Hindenburg Line at the town of Bullecourt. The Australians attacked the
frontline twice to the right of the town. The first was a disaster and in the
second attack they were able to hold their positions. Both attacks brought
high casualties. We will visit the Australian Memorial Park and Digger Statue
situated between the two main German front lines. We will also visit the
Canadian National Memorial and preserved Trenches of Vimy Ridge.
DAY 13: Tuesday 30 September 2021 Cambrai, France
Australia on the Western Front (Somme 1918)
Villers-Bretonneux was a significant point for the Australian's as this is where
they stopped the German offensive heading for Amiens. We will visit the
grave from which the Australian Unknown Soldier was exhumed and the
school which bears the sign to 'Never Forget Australia'. We will travel to the
Australian National Memorial. On this site also a visit to the new Sir John
Monash Centre. From here we will trace the advance of the Australian Corps
from July 1918 at Le Hamel to Montbrehain in the October stopping at the
2nd, 3rd and 4th Division Memorials' along the way.
DAY 14: Wednesday 1 October 2021 Ypres, Belgium
Australia on the Western Front (Fromelles and Messines)
Today we head North towards Fromelles. The 5th Division attack on the
German Trenches at Fromelles was Australia's first major attack on the
Western Front. Here we will visit VC Corner cemetery, the Australian Memorial
Park and the new cemetery at Pheasant Wood. Those interred at Pheasant
Wood are those from the recently discovered mass graves. Then we travel
into Belgium with our first stop just outside Ploegstreet Wood. Just to the
North of the wood was the site of the famed 'Christmas Truce' soccer match.
Nearby is the town of Messines. In June 1917 Messines Ridge was captured
by the Australian 3rd and 4th Divisions along with the NZ Division. Here we'll
see the NZ memorial and old German Pillboxes. Our accommodation for
the next 2 nights will be in the iconic Western Front town of Ypres. This will
allowing us to attend the 8pm Last Post service at the Menin Gate.
DAY 15: Thursday 2 October 2021 Ypres, Belgium
Australia on the Western Front (Ypres Salient)
The 3rd Battle of Ypres, better known as Passchendaele saw the BEF struggle in
the mud to claw their way towards the Passchendaele Ridge. The Australians
featured prominently, most notably along the Menin Road, at Broodsdiene
and Polygon Wood. We'll see the 5th Australian Division Memorial inside
Polygon wood and Tyne Cot Cemetery, ground captured by the Australians
and now the site of the largest Commonwealth War Cemetery in the World.
Again at 8pm we will attend the Last Post ceremony held daily underneath
the impressive Menin Gate, containing the names of 53,000 names of soldiers
who were killed in the Ypres Salient but have no known grave. Other sites
visited on this day will include Hill 60 and Hooge Crater.
DAY 16: Friday 3 October 2021 Arnhem, Netherlands
Operation Market Garden
Leaving the World War One battlefield behind we head North into Holland.
Gen Montgomery devised an audacious plan to 'finish the war by Christmas'
by capturing the bridges of Holland allowing the Army drive into the top of
the German industrial centres and cause German war production to collapse.
The plan happened to be 'A Bridge Too Far'. Today we will drive up the route
(known as Hell's Highway) taken by the Army to relieve the 3 Airborne
Divisions dropped ahead of them to capture the bridges. We will visit the
landing zones of the Airborne troops and stop at the major bridges along
the way such as Son, Grave and Nijmegen. At Arnhem we'll see the British
Landing zones and head along the route they took to get to the bridge at
Arnhem stopping at the Oosterbeek Cemetery and Hartenstein Hotel, the
site of the British Headquarters during the battle. At Arnhem we'll visit the
Bridge and where there rescue of the last British troops took place.
DAY 17: Saturday 4 October 2021 Frankfurt, Germany
Target Germany: 617 Squadron
Of all Bomber Command's Squadrons used during the Second World War
617 Squadron is the most famous. This squadron was specially raised for the
raid on the Dams of the Ruhr Valley. Today we will see all 3 Dams attacked.
The first Dam we will see is the Sorpe and then we head to the Mohne Dam.
This was the first of the two Dams destroyed by the 'bouncing bomb' in
May 1943. On the way to the Mohne we pass through Arnsberg and see
the bridge destroyed by the Grand Slam Bomb. Our last site of the tour
will be the Eder Dam. Set amongst imposing hills, marvel at the skill of the
pilots to get the aircraft down and onto the target and destroy the dam. Our
accommodation is in Frankfurt. This evening we will enjoy a farewell dinner
to celebrate the end of our wonderful tour.
DAY 18: Sunday 5 October 2021 Departure
Time for last minute shopping and sightseeing. In the afternoon we drive to
Frankfurt airport to catch our flight back to Australia.
DAY 19: Monday 6 October 2021 Arrive in Australia
The tour concludes as we arrive back in Australia.
| Twin Fare | Single Fare |
|---|---|
| $7,260 | $8,855 |
Touring can involve a considerable amount of walking and stair climbing in the places visited and it is important that all tour participants have a level of physical fitness that allows them to take part in this tour without the need of assistance from others.
International touring can involve a considerable amount of walking and stair climbing in the places visited and it is important that all tour participants have a level of physical fitness that allows them to take part in this activity without the need of assistance from others.
TOUR OPERATOR:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd. (ABN 64 005
817 078) (Travelrite) is the tour operator.
TOUR COSTS:
The tour costs are based on airfare, general
transport, accommodation costs and foreign exchange rate
at 18 September 2019. Travelrite reserves the right to alter the
costs if any of these factors change, giving any passenger that
has booked the right to withdraw with full refund of monies
paid or modify arrangements. No alterations to price will be
made within 60 days of departure from Australia.
DEPOSIT AND PAYMENT:
A deposit of $500 per passenger
is required at the time of booking. Full payment will be required
60 days before departure for the tour.
CANCELLATION CONDITIONS:
* Cancellation conditions don’t apply for clients with future cruise/tour credits. Cruise/tour credits are non-refundable.
Cancellations within 60 days
of departure will result in the loss of all monies paid. Cancellation
outside 60 days from departure will result in a cancellation fee
of $500 per person. Travel insurance is recommended to cover
the costs of cancellation fees due to illness, death in family, etc.
MINIMUM TOUR NUMBERS AND CONDITIONS:
The tour has been priced on the basis of paying by cheque or cash,
a 1.5% administration fee will be charged on credit card
payments. The tour will proceed if a minimum of 15 passengers
have booked 60 days prior to departure.
TOUR ORGANISATION:
Travelrite reserves the right to change
advertised entrances if necessary for the smooth operation of
the tour.
REFUNDS:
The tour is based on arrangements which do not
allow for any refunds in respect to sightseeing, accommodation,
meals, airfare or other services not utilised after the tour has
commenced.
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All passengers will require a valid passport.
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passport holders. If you hold another passport please check
with Travelrite.
BAGGAGE:
All passengers qualify for the 30kg free baggage
allowance. There is a 1 bag allowance on Eurostar.
TOUR PARTICIPATION:
Children under 5 years of age are ineligible on coach & cruise tours. Children under 18 years of age must be
accompanied by an adult. Passengers with disabilities are welcome on Travelrite & Cruise Offers tours provided they are accompanied by a companion capable of providing
all necessary assistance, and do not require special assistance from Travelrite & Cruise Offers personnel. Travelrite and Cruise Offers reserves the right to
refuse to carry anyone if it is felt the individual cannot cope with the requirements of coach & cruise tour travel and who may require services and facilities that
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any service provider to refuse to carry you, provide any facilities or accommodation to you or to provide any service to you.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd. is the tour
organiser. Travelrite acts only as agents for passengers in the
making of arrangements with carriers, hoteliers and others
for the tour. As a result we cannot accept liability for any act
or omission whatsoever, whether negligent or otherwise of
those carriers, hoteliers or other persons providing services
in connection with the tour over whom we have no direct or
exclusive control. We do not accept responsibility for any injury,
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and the purchasers of these tours and the passengers. Baggage
is at own risk throughout the tour. The contract shall be
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Victoria,
Australia and any legal action must be undertaken in the State
of Victoria.
DELAYS AND UNFORESEEN EVENTS:
You engage Travelrite
Inter-national to book this tour on your behalf and you
acknowledge that Travelrite International acts as your agent
for the purpose of making contracts between you and the
various providers of accommodation, transportation and
other services that comprise the tour. Travelrite International
may without reference to you provide or make available to
you, or may as your agent engage any third party to provide
or make available to you, any good or service which Travelrite
International reasonably believes is necessary for your benefit
to maintain the tour itinerary, repatriate you or otherwise
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You agree to pay Travelrite International any cost thereof and
you indemnify Travelrite International in respect of any cost
it incurs in this regard. Travelrite International advises you to
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HOW TO BOOK:
Bookings can be made by completing a booking form and sending it with a deposit of $500 per person to:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd
423 Whitehorse Road
Balwyn, Victoria 3103
Further information or a booking form can be obtained by contacting
Travelrite International on the following numbers:
Toll Free: 1800 630 343
Phone: (03) 8803 6868
Fax: (03) 9836 8068
Email: balwyn@travelrite.com.au
ABOUT TRAVELRITE INTERNATIONAL:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd (ABN 64 005 817 078) is a well-established family-owned business that’s been operating in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs for more than 35 years. Travelrite International is a full member of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA), is fully Accredited with ATAS (A10538) and IATA. As such they directly
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“All the sightseeing tours were interesting and enjoyable with excellent commentary by local guides.”
“Well organised, excellent tour group leaders and the museums visited were the best parts of the tour.”
