From the end of March until the beginning of October 1918, the AIF achieved its greatest victories south of the Somme River and ever eastward against the retreating Germans.

 The accommodation and bookings have been put in place for the Monash Advance to Victory Tour which will take place for 13 days from Wednesday 26 September 2018 to Sunday 8 October 2018. 
                 

The price: 13 Days, 12 Nights $4,995 per person twin share, $950 single supplement (for those wanting a single room).

 

From the end of March until the beginning of October 1918, the AIF achieved its greatest victories south of the Somme River and ever eastward against the retreating Germans. On 31 May 1918, 5 Australian Divisions were brought under one command as the Australian Army Corps. It was under the leadership of Lt Gen Sir John Monash that Australian senior military leadership proved its qualities, while the diggers won their reputation as the best fighting troops of any army involved in the War.     

                                            

Many have claimed that the Australian tactics and fighting spirit broke the “back of the Germans” in WWI. For me personally I know that the written plans and tactics (communicated to every soldier prior to the battle) used for any action, shaped the approach to the way today’s Australian Defence Force plan and execute battles even today.

 

The tour will follow that campaign as it advanced across from Messines to the Somme and to the Australian Corps’ final confrontation with the retreating Germans at Montbrehain. You will be accompanied by Australian Military Historians all the way.

 

Included in this price:

• Accommodation, 

• Battlefield tours with military historian, 

• ½ Day Tour of Paris 

• Air conditioned coaches, 

• Most meals as indicated in the itinerary B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner 

• Museum entrance fees.

Not included in this price:

• Air travel. 

• travel insurance, 

• laundry and alcohol. 

• tour extensions 

• personal expenses & 

• Tips to Drivers and Guides

 

Brief Daily Details are:

 

Wednesday 26 September 2018 - PARIS: This is the day when we gather at our Paris hotel at Roissy en France near Charles de Gaulle Airport. The remainder of the day and evening is free to relax and take in the local village of Roissy which has much history.

 

Thursday 27 September 2018 – PARIS to IEPER: Following breakfast in our hotel we board our coach and depart for the Western Front Battlefields. We will visit the Glade of the Armistice at Compiegne where the Armistice was signed and will attend the Menin Gate Service before dinner in our hotel or restaurant nearby. B/D

 

Friday 28 September 2018 - IEPER: We will discuss the battle of Messines Ridge and visit Hill 60 (Australian film about our Tunnelling Companies) and then Polygon Wood. B/Boxed Lunch/D

 

Saturday 29 September 2018 – IEPER : Still at the Ieper Salient– from the Dochy Farm, we view the starting line for the assault on Passchendaele. We visit the Tyne Cot Cemetery where there are 11,000 graves including 2 Australian Victoria Cross winners. After lunch we visit the Cloth Hall Museum. B/Boxed Lunch/D

 

Sunday 30 September 2018 – THE SOMME: Advance to Victory 1918. We stop at Fromelles where the 5th Division was decimated on 19 July 1916 – a heart-breaking site on the Western Front. We visit the new Pheasant Wood Cemetery and museum opened in 2010 and then make our way towards Peronne, visiting Bullecourt – a major 1917 battle. B/Boxed Lunch/D

 

Monday 1 October 2018 to Friday 5 October 2018 – THE SOMME: For five days we will work our way through the Australian battles. First we start with Monash commanding the 3^rd Division which held the area between the Aisne and the Somme Rivers. We look at the defence of Sailly Laurette and Dernancourt where the German advance of March 1918 was halted and follow the 1918 Australian Corps battles. As we work our way east, each day we will discuss the battles at Villers-Bretonneux, visiting the Adelaide Cemetery, the Museum above the School, the Australian National Memorial, Le Hamel, Proyart, Morcourt, Mont St Quentin and then the areas further east, until we finish at Montbrehain after which the Armistice was signed. B/Boxed Lunch/D

 

Saturday 6 October 2018 – PARIS: We make our way to Paris where we will have a ½ day escorted tour. After our tour we will settle into our hotel. B/Boxed Lunch/D

 

Sunday 7 October 2018 – PARIS: After breakfast our coach will take those wishing to spend the day in Paris and drop at a location accessible to many of the sites of the city. The coach will return to pick up and return to the hotel at a time to be advised on the day. B/D

 

Sunday 8 October 2018: This morning following breakfast, our tour concludes. B

 

Action to take:

The tour is limited in numbers so to secure a place for this tour please reply to me personally by email or phone (1 300 731 900)and I will be in contact. To avoid uncertainty of being on a wait list a refundable deposit (refundable up to 4 months before the tour) of $500 is required. I am going on the tour together with my brother and look forward to seeing you on it.

 

All the best

 

 

Sandy MacGregor