Ian Fletcher Battlefield Tours

Napoleon’s ill-fated 1812 campaign is duly remembered for the Battle of Borodino, arguably the greatest of the Napoleonic Wars, whilst the French occupation of Moscow and its subsequent firing continues to cause controversy. But it is possibly the retreat from Moscow that will forever provide the most enduring images of the campaign, which culminated in the Crossing of the Berezina from 26-29 November 1812, during which thousands of French soldiers fought for their lives to cross the freezing river to escape the clutches of the pursuing Russians. The area where the crossings took place remain silent today, peaceful and tranquil, with only a handful of monuments to mark the once desperate fighting that took place. We will visit the crossing points and recall the scene of the tragedy on the occasion of its 200th anniversary in the company of Julian Spilsbury and Ian Fletcher. We will also visit the Khatyn Memorial, dedicated to the victims of the 22 March 1943 Nazi atrocity. The tour is based out of the 5-star Crowne Plaza Hotel, Minsk, owing to a virtual non-existence of suitable hotels anywhere near the river. Places are extremely limited. Warm clothing will be essential!

Day 1. Fly London to Minsk. Transfer to the 5-star Crowne Plaza Hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2. Breakfast. We drive east to Borisov (today’s Barysau) for the first of two days’ visiting the sites of the river crossings between the town and Studianka (today’s Studzjonka). The locations have not changed much since 1812 and it is easy to visualise the dramatic episode. Indeed, it is still possible to find traces of the original bridge sites. There is also a liberal sprinkling of monuments to both sides and a small museum commemorating the crossing. Return to Minsk. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3. Breakfast. We drive east once more to complete our study of the Crossing of the Berezina by examining the fighting on the left bank of the river. Return to Minsk. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4. Breakfast. We drive 60km to the Khatyn Memorial. It was here on 22 March 1943 that a German SS battalion burned alive 149 men, women and children in the village. It was one of 618 Belarusian villages to be destroyed by the Nazis in WWII. It is a much visited memorial park. We will also visit the State Museum of the 1941-45 war, with over 80,000 exhibits. Dinner and overnight.
Day 5. Breakfast. Check out of hotel and drive to Minsk airport for return flight to London.

26-30 November 2012 Price: £1750 Single Supplement £275

Package includes: Return air fare, four nights half-board accommodation, four dinners, four breakfasts, coach transport, entrance fees, guide Julian Spilsbury.