ANZAC DAY ON THE WESTERN FRONT

FRANCE & BELGIUM, 24-26 APRIL 2009

3 Day Coach & Hotel Tour: £219

Whilst Gallipoli marked the first major involvement of Anzac troops in World War One, it was on the Western Front in Northern France that saw Anzac soldiers serve and give their lives in highest numbers during horrendous warfare. Join us for a 3 day 2 night emotional tour to some of the major Anzac battlefields and memorials of Northern France and Belgium, and attend the Anzac Day dawn service at Villers-Bretonneaux on 25 April 2009 to commemorate Anzac involvement on the Western Front.

The battle of the Somme was fought between July and November 1916 and most historians agree it was one of the bloodiest military battles the world has ever seen. With over 1.5 million casualties, including over 55,000 British casualties on its first day alone, the loss of life during this major battle of the First World War is bewildering and upsetting. The Somme, and the Western Front in general, is the final resting place for thousands of Anzac troops who fought heroically alongside their allies to stop the German Advance into Paris.

More than 310,000 Australian troops (after their 8 month ordeal in Gallipoli) fought on the Western Front, with around 53,000 losing their lives. Over 10% of the population of New Zealand enlisted to fight for their country, with 18,500 being killed in the war. Of the total number of Kiwis who died, over 2,700 were killed at Gallipoli and 12,500 died on the Western Front.

Despite all the bloodshed, Anzac troops in particular are still remembered amongst their allies and by the local French people for their bravery and significant contributions during these terrible battles.

One example of Anzac participation was the battle at Villers- Bretonneux where 5 divisions of Australian troops liberated the town in 1918, and not only halted a German advance but forced their retreat. By a pure coincidence, it was on the 25th of April (Anzac Day) that Villers-Bretonneux was liberated by the Anzac soldiers.

During our Anzac Day on the Western Front Tour, we will attend the dawn service at Villers-Bretonneux to remember those Anzac troops who lost their lives and also visit their memorial. The size and solitude of the memorial is awe-inspiring, a 32 meter high tower carries the name of over 11,000 soldiers who have no known grave in France. The local French people are so appreciative of the Anzac troops that liberated their town, the local primary school (The Victoria School) in Villers- Bretonneux still carries a large sign painted in English "Do Not Forget Australia".

We also visit the Caterpillar Valley Cemetery where there is a monument with the names of hundreds of New Zealanders that have no known grave. The centre of the monument says "Here are recorded the names of officers and men of New Zealand who fell in the battles of the Somme September and October 1916 whose graves are known only to God". This is also the cemetery from which New Zealand's unknown warrior was exhumed (from Plot 14, Row A, Grave 27) on 6th November 2004, before being transported home and buried with full military honours at Wellington National War Memorial on 11th November 2004.

During our visit to France and Belgium, we will also visit other key Anzac memorials and battlefields, including Le Hamel, Pozieres, Adelaide Cemetery, Tyne Cott, Polygon Wood and Menin Gate. We will stay in the beautiful French city of Lille, one of the most fought over cities in the world.