Spring’s Military History and Travelrite International invite you to join the

With Peter Spring

17 September to 5 October, 2020

BATTLEFIELD TOUR

Military History

Visiting Cambridge (The Battle of Britain 80th Anniversary), London, Normandy, Cambrai (Pozieres, Villers-Bretonneux & The Somme),

Ypres, Arnhem and Frankfurt (The Mohne Dam)

DAY 7: Wednesday 23 September 2020 Caen (Normandy), FranceToday 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 24 September 2020 Caen (Normandy), FranceBritish Sector of NormandyToday 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 25 September 2020 Caen (Normandy), FranceAmerican Sector of NormandyOur 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 1: Thursday 17 September 2020 Depart AustraliaToday we depart for London, UK.

DAY 2: Friday 18 September 2020 Cambridge, UKOn 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 19 September 2020 Cambridge, UKDuxford Air ShowToday 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 20 September 2020 Cambridge, UKDuxford Air ShowToday 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 21 September 2020 London, UKIn 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 22 September 2020 London, UKThis 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.

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.

With tour manager, Peter Spring

Itinerary

BATTLEFIELD TOUR

Military History

DAY 10: Saturday 26 September 2020 Cambrai, FranceTravel to CambraiToday 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 27 September 2020 Cambrai, FranceAustralia 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 28 September 2020 Cambrai, FranceAustralia 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 29 September 2020 Cambrai, FranceAustralia 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 30 September 2020 Ypres, BelgiumAustralia 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 1 October 2020 Ypres, BelgiumAustralia 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 2 October 2020 Arnhem, NetherlandsOperation Market GardenLeaving 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 3 October 2020 Frankfurt, Germany Target Germany: 617 SquadronOf 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 4 October 2020 DepartureTime for last minute shopping and sightseeing. In the afternoon we drive to Frankfurt airport to catch our flight back to Australia

DAY 19: Monday 5 October 2020 Arrive in AustraliaThe tour concludes as we arrive back in Australia.

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.

DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS: 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: 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.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: All passengers will require a valid pass-port. Visas for countries visited are not required for Australian 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.

RESPONSIBILITY: 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, damage, loss, delay, change of schedule or any other events which are beyond our direct control, such as, but not limited to, war, flood, fire, civil disturbance, terrorism, acts of god, acts of Government, or any other authorities, accidents to or failure of machinery or equipment, or industrial action. The passage contract in use by the carriers concerned, shall constitute the sole contract between the transportation companies or firms 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

accommodate, transport or sustain you in circumstances in which the tour itinerary fails wholly or partly for any reason. You appoint Travelrite International your attorney for this purpose. 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 obtain travel insurance generally including in respect of the risk that any such good or service may become required.

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 LTD182 Canterbury RoadHeathmont, Victoria 3135Telephone: (03) 9729 8722 Further information can be obtained by telephoning

Toll Free: 1800 033 436E: heathmont@travelrite.com.auwww.travelrite.com.auABOUT TRAVELRITE INTERNATIONAL: Travelrite Inter-national Pty Ltd (A.B.N.64 005 817 078) is a well-established travel company, operating in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne for more than 30 years. It has two fully credited ATAS and IATA (No. A10538) offices in Heathmont and Balwyn. As such, it directly represents the major airlines of the world and all major domestic and international tour and transport operators. Travelrite International has been operating special interest tours for 20 years, and now runs over 50 tours a year. Travelrite International Pty Ltd is a full member of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents – AFTA.

General information and booking conditionsInternational 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.

Price per person twin share $ 6,995 Taxes per person $ 265Total Package per person $ 7,260Single supplement $ 1595

Not included in the price: • Passport and visa fees• Travel insurance• Meals unless specified in the itinerary• Sightseeing and general expenses unless specified in the itinerary• Additional travel arrangements not in the detailed itinerary.

These will be quoted for separately.

17 September to 5 October, 2020

BATTLEFIELD TOUR

Military History

MIL

HIS

T20

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LG06

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Included in the tour price :• Return economy-class air travel from Australia to London and return from Frankfurt.• Travel in first-class chartered coaches.• Accommodation in first-class and moderate first-class hotels, taxes and service charges.• Daily breakfast in Europe and England.• Welcome and Farewell dinners• Sightseeing tours as listed in the itinerary.• Eurostar train travel from London to Paris• Entrances to attractions as detailed in itinerary.• Tour management by Peter Spring.• A Travelrite travel bag.

Cambridge

Frankfurt

Arnhem

YpresArnsberg

Fromelles

NormandyCambrai

Caen

London