Clive is the obvious expert in this, but I read this book. It’s probably an easier read if you’re familiar with the geography, as the maps in this book are sparse.
Have also been listening to podcasts ‘All quiet on the Western Front’. Episodes 6,7 & 8 deal with the Spring Offensive and 100 days. But as I say, Clive may come back with something better.
Clive is the obvious expert in this, but I read this book. It’s probably an easier read if you’re familiar with the geography, as the maps in this book are sparse.
Have also been listening to podcasts ‘All quiet on the Western Front’. Episodes 6,7 & 8 deal with the Spring Offensive and 100 days. But as I say, Clive may come back with something better.
Thanks for the heads up on those podcasts. Have downloaded and will listen on the plane to Cyprus in a week or so.
On arrival in France we will head to Amiens (2hrs) during the journey Clive will give a short synopsis of the Great War up to April 1918.
1500 - On arrival in Amiens we will stop at the Cities CWGC Cemetery, alongside the Great War burials we will hear about a lesser-known action of World War II, Operation Jericho. This was the Mosquito Raid on Amiens Prison where a number of resistance prisoners were being held by the Germans, two brothers in particular had some information regarding Normandy that was extremely sensitive, so a raid was launched to either allow them to escape or silence them forever.
1600 – drop off at the Hotel Moxy, Amiens and a free evening and Euro QF’s
Sunday 7th July
0900 depart hotel after breakfast, and a visit to Villers Bretonneux, here in late April 1918 Australian and London troops finally stopped the German offensive towards Amiens.
1000 – Cachy for the first tank against tank clash in history took place
1030 – Crucifix Corner Cemetery, containing a number of the London soldiers who fell defending the town on the nearby railway bridge
1100 – Le Hamel Battlefield Park - here on the 4 July a force of Australian infantry supported by British tanks, aircraft and cavalry assault a key German position using tactics that would be employed successfully a few weeks later in the main battle of Amiens, the action was often seen as a blueprint for integrated warfare. It is from here that we also look at the final flight of Manfred Von Richthofen who was shot down within sight of the memorial.
1200 – Visit to the large Villers Bretonneux CWGC cemetery, Clive will lead as he has a number stories to share of some of the men buried or commemorated on the Memorial, there will be chance to explore on your own and the opportunity to climb the bell tower with its incredible views over the battlefield.
1300 – The group is booked into the Sir John Monash visitors centre, whilst this is free, we have had to book and have been given a timed slot starting at 1330, it takes around an hour to explore the interactive galleries, it is advised you download the SJMC App in advance to assist your visit, that can be done via the following links
There is also a cafe on site where snacks and sandwiches can be purchased. For those who gain ‘little victories’ from making up rolls from the hotel buffet breakfast, you may be asked to eat outside!
1430 – Visit 3rd Australian Division Memorial visit on the Morlancourt Ridge to study the 8 August 1918 attack involving a combined British, Australian and Canadian Force that was described by Erich Ludendorff as 'the black day of the German Army'
1515 – Visit the nearby Beacon Cemetery where a number of the men from the attack are buried.
1600 - We complete our look at the battle through the lens of the London troops who played a key role in the outcome on the Chipilly Spur and the 58th Division Memorial in the village.
1730 – Arrive back in Amiens for a free evening
Monday 8th July
0900 departing the hotel after breakfast we will head towards the 1916 Somme Battlefield and a special visit to Charlton Athletic trainer Fred Chick who fell on 31 August 1916
1030 Special visit to Favreuil to hear the story of footballer Walter Tull
1130 Special visit to Havrincourt on the Hindenburg Line for Neal’s relative
1300 Lunch break in Arras
1400 Clive, Georgie and Nick Tondeur depart for the Euros!
Comments
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Itinerary for Amiens Trip:
Saturday 6th July
0600 Pick Up One – The Valley
0630 Pick Up Two - Ebbsfleet International
0730 Arrive Dover Docks
0910 Depart Dover for Calais
1300 Arrive Calais
On arrival in France we will head to Amiens (2hrs) during the journey Clive will give a short synopsis of the Great War up to April 1918.
1500 - On arrival in Amiens we will stop at the Cities CWGC Cemetery, alongside the Great War burials we will hear about a lesser-known action of World War II, Operation Jericho. This was the Mosquito Raid on Amiens Prison where a number of resistance prisoners were being held by the Germans, two brothers in particular had some information regarding Normandy that was extremely sensitive, so a raid was launched to either allow them to escape or silence them forever.
1600 – drop off at the Hotel Moxy, Amiens and a free evening and Euro QF’s
Sunday 7th July
0900 depart hotel after breakfast, and a visit to Villers Bretonneux, here in late April 1918 Australian and London troops finally stopped the German offensive towards Amiens.
1000 – Cachy for the first tank against tank clash in history took place
1030 – Crucifix Corner Cemetery, containing a number of the London soldiers who fell defending the town on the nearby railway bridge
1100 – Le Hamel Battlefield Park - here on the 4 July a force of Australian infantry supported by British tanks, aircraft and cavalry assault a key German position using tactics that would be employed successfully a few weeks later in the main battle of Amiens, the action was often seen as a blueprint for integrated warfare. It is from here that we also look at the final flight of Manfred Von Richthofen who was shot down within sight of the memorial.
1200 – Visit to the large Villers Bretonneux CWGC cemetery, Clive will lead as he has a number stories to share of some of the men buried or commemorated on the Memorial, there will be chance to explore on your own and the opportunity to climb the bell tower with its incredible views over the battlefield.
1300 – The group is booked into the Sir John Monash visitors centre, whilst this is free, we have had to book and have been given a timed slot starting at 1330, it takes around an hour to explore the interactive galleries, it is advised you download the SJMC App in advance to assist your visit, that can be done via the following links
Android - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=au.gov.sjmc.android&hl=fr&gl=
Apple - https://apps.apple.com/fr/app/sir-john-monash-centre/id1358708485
There is also a cafe on site where snacks and sandwiches can be purchased. For those who gain ‘little victories’ from making up rolls from the hotel buffet breakfast, you may be asked to eat outside!
1430 – Visit 3rd Australian Division Memorial visit on the Morlancourt Ridge to study the 8 August 1918 attack involving a combined British, Australian and Canadian Force that was described by Erich Ludendorff as 'the black day of the German Army'
1515 – Visit the nearby Beacon Cemetery where a number of the men from the attack are buried.
1600 - We complete our look at the battle through the lens of the London troops who played a key role in the outcome on the Chipilly Spur and the 58th Division Memorial in the village.
1730 – Arrive back in Amiens for a free evening
Monday 8th July
0900 departing the hotel after breakfast we will head towards the 1916 Somme Battlefield and a special visit to Charlton Athletic trainer Fred Chick who fell on 31 August 1916
1030 Special visit to Favreuil to hear the story of footballer Walter Tull
1130 Special visit to Havrincourt on the Hindenburg Line for Neal’s relative
1300 Lunch break in Arras
1400 Clive, Georgie and Nick Tondeur depart for the Euros!
1400 Group depart Arras for Vimy Ridge
1530 Depart Vimy for Calais
1730 Arrive Calais
1935 Depart Calais for Dover
2000 Arrive Dover
2100 Arrive Ebbsfleet
2130 Arrive The Valley