SOMME

“The SOMME”

As a travel destination, the Somme valley will certainly not disappoint. The Somme is a French department located in the Hauts-de-France.

A programme of at least 4 days will cover various themes: the war past, cultural treasures and landscape and culinary specialities. Starting point is Fort Mahon Plage or Amiens.

For soldiers of the commonwealth (these are all the colonies and areas under British command English, Canadians, Australians, Scots, Welsh, Irish, New Zealanders, Newfoundlanders, South Africans), the Somme is a name to reflect on and remember the hundreds of thousands who died and were missing at The Somme”. The offensive began on 01 July 1916 and the following five months nearly 1 million soldiers died.

We witness this madness and tragedy by visiting numerous monuments and battlefields.

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Thiepval Ridge and its Memorial : The Battle of Thiepval Ridge took place from 26 September to 30 September, 1916. The attack was supported by heavy guns and howitzers. The Thiepval Memorial was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and built between 1928 & 1932. We also visit the 400m² visitor museum that has recently been expanded.

Ulster Tower: is a memorial to the men of the 36th Ulster Division. This memorial was officially inaugurated on 19 November 1921 and is a very accurate copy of Helen’s Tower, which stands in the area of the Clan deboye Estate near Bangor County Down in Northern Ireland.

Beaumont-Hamel: This memorial site contains a preserved World War I battlefield and a visitor centre. It tells the story of the 29th British Division to which the Newfoundland Regiment was attached and the 1st Battalion of the Essex Regiment. On 13 November 1916 the 51st Highland Division conquered the ravine.

Albert : on 25 June 1916 a nearly continuous bombardment of the German lines was started. On 01 July 1916 at 07h30 the signal was given for the attack. Albert owns a museum right next to the Basilica Notre-Dame de Brebières and is certainly worth a visit. Fifteen alcoves and a subterranean corridor of 230m long and 10m deep that served as a shelter during World War II.

Locknagar Crater: This crater with a diameter of 100m and a depth of 30m is a testimony of the British action that initiated the Battle of the Somme on 01 July 1916 at 07h29.

Tank battle at Flers-Courcellete 1916: On 15 September 1916 tanks were used for the first time in the war. We stop at this place and visit the monument on the battlefield. In addition to the war sites, cities such as Amiens, Vallery-sur-Somme, Abbeville, Péronne and Montdidier are a few places that are certainly worth a visit, each with its beauty, culture, story and fascinating histories.

Amiens: With its beautiful Gothic Cathedral, the story of Jules Verne, University city, Pieter the hermit and the first Crusade, (People’s Crusade) and so much more,… a beautiful lively city. For that alone, I spend one full day there.

Valery-sur-Somme: with its rich history , including William the Conqueror, Joan of Arc and Napoleon certainly a must. Here you will also find a beautiful walking dike and so much more.

The inner person is not forgotten and a taste… .. is definitely on the program. We are happy to work out a travel plan according to your wishes and expectations.