Ian Fletcher Battlefield Tours

Agemus Agenda

From Mons to the Marne

monscrop

To many people the most enduring images of the First World War are of mud, barbed wire and lunar landscapes. But back in the late summer of 1914 things were far different. Prior to the onset of the trench stalemate on the Western Front the war was very much a war of movement. Our tour follows the early engagements of the war at Mons and Le Cateau, after which we follow the retreat south, through Le Cateau, to Villers Cotterets and to Nery and the famous RHA action. Our guide, James Falkner – whose grandfather was present at Nery – considers the various decisions that were taken by the BEF High Command during the campaign and their effects on the future conduct of the war.

Day 1. Depart central London for Folkestone and the channel tunnel crossing to Calais. Drive to Mons to discuss the opening British shots in the War, 22-23 August 1914, and the escalating battle along the Conde-Mons canal, as the British Expeditionary Force tried to hold off Von Gluck’s thrusting German advance. Check-in at the 4-star Mercure Mons. Briefing, dinner and overnight.
Day 2. Breakfast. Drive south across the 1709 battlefield of Malplaquet (short stop at the French monument). Lunch in Bavay. Drive to Le Cateau to walk the still unspoiled battlefield, where on 26 August 1914 Smith Dorrien’s 2nd British Corps held the Germans off just long enough to be able to continue their withdrawal. Short stop in Landrecies to discuss the Guards night-time defence of the village. Drive to Aisonville-et-Bernoville and check-in at the 3-star Logis le 1748. Dinner and overnight.
Day 3. Breakfast. Drive to to Moy de l’Aisne to walk the small battlefield where British cavalry routed the German advanced guard in a charge on 28 August. On to St Quentin to discuss the ‘Colonel’s surrender’ and then take lunch in the town. Drive to Nery to walk the battlefield where L Battery RHA drove off the German 4th Cavalry Division on 1 September. On to Villers Cotterets where the 4th (Guards) Brigade was almost overwhelmed on the same day, but carried out a skilled fighting withdrawal. Check-in at the 3-star Hotel Les Beaux Arts. Dinner and overnight.
Day 4. Breakfast. We make our way back north to Calais, stopping en route to take a look at the 1916 Somme front line. We take the Le Shuttle channel crossing, return to London and disperse.

6-9 July 2012 Price £780 Single Supplement £120

Package includes: Return channel crossing via Le Shuttle, three nights half-board accommodation, three breakfasts, three dinners including wine, coach transport, guide James Falkner and tour manager.