Email: [email protected]
Information for students, teachers and parents.
Providing outstanding educational
opportunities for students studying
World War One and World War Two
We are a battlefield tour company specialising in providing educational
guided tours to the European battlefield sites of the two World Wars.
We will design your tour to your specific requirements.
Our unique educational aims for students
We not only relate the history of the battles, recount heroic deeds, and explain the impact on humanity, but
also remember the sacrifice of thousands of men, women and children who lived through that time.
Students’ knowledge will be developed through:
• Promoting self-confidence.
• Participating in team building.
• Developing reflective thought.
• Experiencing the cultural heritage of different countries.
• Reflecting upon the powers in the resolution of tension and conflict.
Preparation before a Tour
Within the classroom, it may be helpful as a lead up to the experience of visiting the WW1 or WW2
battlefields to encourage students to trace the history of perhaps a family member who was involved in
either conflict in Europe.
Their research could involve finding graves, medals that were won and exploring how the family was
emotionally affected.
Travel
The tours will give the students the opportunity not only to visit places well known in the war but also a
unique experience of areas less well known but equally motivating. Time will be provided for reflection on
these historic sites.
History & Understanding
At each site, time will be given to explain why the particular event was important and to give the opportunity
to discuss its relevance in the conflict.
Students will be given the chance to learn why an individual event is important. It may have involved an
unselfish act of courage to protect others, or simply the following of orders under extreme circumstances. In
this way the relevance of working together as a team in the denial of self-glory will become well understood.
Sharing & Development
Discussion groups will be formed with a view to encouraging students to express their thoughts and
impressions of what they have seen and experienced.
They will be encouraged to think about the impact of decisions both in war and in life in general.
Right: Un-named graves.
Commonwealth War Graves
Commission – France
Left: Thiepval Memorial
to the Missing. Containing the
names of over 74,000 British
& Commonwealth soldiers
killed on the Somme for
whom there is no known grave
Below Right: The destroyed
communities
Below Left: Back home,
ladies worked to
support the war effort
by being employed in factories.
Locations to Visit
Retreat from Mons
The tactical retreat during August and September 1914 that saved the British Expeditionary Force (BEF)
from annihilation.
Ypres Sector
Over 180 British and Commonwealth cemeteries in this small area are a reminder of four years of ferocious
fighting in appalling conditions including the Battle of Passchendaele.
Somme & Arras Sector
1 July 1916 – the first day of the Battle of the Somme, a massive 60,000 casualties - the British Army’s
largest losses in a single day. Bitter fighting over five months with no positive results.
Verdun Sector
The final stand of France which started in 1916 and lasted for many months. Like so many battles in the
Great War, it was lost and won repeatedly. Vast numbers of soldiers were killed on both sides.
World War 1 1914-18
Consequences of War
Hitler wanted to dominate Europe by force and power
Britain stood alone at the start of the War. Winston
Spencer Churchill was elected Prime Minister to
lead Britain to victory.
The United States of America played a major part
in the War, becoming the ally of Britain and the free
world.
War brought about rapid developments such as the
Mulberry Harbour, a floating multi-part construction
built in locations around the British coast in complete
secrecy.
Locations to Visit
World War II 1939 - 45
The Atlantic Wall The most strongly fortified sector of Hitler’s defence known as The Atlantic Wall,
designed to resist invasion from Britain of Nazi occupied France.
Normandy D-Day Landings – “Operation Overlord” The five British and American landing beaches
which were the locations on 6 June 1944 of the greatest amphibious landing in history involving
approximately 6,000 ships and three million men.
British Sector Airborne landings at Pegasus Bridge and Merville Battery, and the beach landings at Sword,
Juno (Canadian), and Gold, together with the artificial harbour at Arromanches, plus Longues Battery still
intact with its naval guns.
US Sector Airborne landings at Sainte-Mère Eglise and in the flooded countryside together with the
seaborne landings at Utah and “bloody” Omaha with the magnificent American cemetery overlooking the
beach, plus Pointe du Hoc taken by the US Rangers.
The Battle of Normandy & the Closing of the “Falaise Gap” The break-out from the beaches at
Normandy and the battles that followed, leading to the capture of large numbers of German Panzers and
Infantry trapped within the “Falaise Pocket”.
• To gain experience of the fragility of life during times of conflict.
• To develop a mature confidence to discuss the pros and cons of conflict
between people and nations.
• To develop an in-depth thought process to aid reasoning during difficult
situations.
• To give an understanding for mediation, reconciliation and compromise through discussion and role-play.
• To learn the value of exercising tolerance.
• To involve the students in living history.
• To make history relevant to the current time.
Restored trench system and buildings used as aid post - Somme
“We take children away on our battlefield tours
and bring back responsible young adults.”
Battlefield Tours, our objectives explained
The Benefits to Students
Quote from a student on Omaha Beach looking at a little wooden cross –
“We must remember the German soldier that died here.
He was made to fight when he didn’t really want to.”
Students’ impressions
Quotes from students at the war graves –
“These soldiers were only a few years older than us.
They died so that we could have freedom today.”
“My Grandad told me what he did in the war.
He was very brave, even though he didn’t really want to fight.
He came back safe.”
Battle Tours Limited
First Floor
56/57 High Street
Stourbridge
West Midlands DY8 1DE
Tel. No. 01384 378125 • Email: [email protected]
Name of School..............................................................................................
Contact Name.................................................................................................
Contact Tel. No..............................................................................................
Contact email address....................................................................................
Proposed Date of Tour...................................................................................
Duration of Tour.............................................................................................
Please indicate your choice below by ticking the appropriate box:
World War One
World War Two
Contacting us
To register the interest of your School in a Battlefield Tour, please complete the data request
below and post or email to:
Places to Visit
Our battlefield tour suggestions are to locations that can be easily and economically reached
allowing 2 – 5 days visiting battlefield sites.
London
DOVER
CALAIS
Ypres
Brussels
English Channel
D-Day
Landing
Beaches
Somme
Arras
Mons
Verdun
(French
Sector)
Falaise Gap
Paris
Places to visit
Retreat from
Mons (extent)
The map shows the locations in Northern Europe that we recommend your students should visit, thus
enabling them to appreciate the events that took place during the two World Wars.
Battle Tours Limited
First Floor, 56/57 High Street
Stourbridge
West Midlands DY8 1DE
Tel. No. 01384 378125 • Email: [email protected]