This is the second ‘Walking the Somme Battlefields’ with Professor Richard Holmes. It covers the period from 1st July to November 1916, studying different actions and battle areas from Part I. As well as taking you over new ground, with some marvelous panoramic views across the battlefield, it will also give rise to discussion on the importance of mining in this area, the importance of the ‘back areas’ both as a starting point for troops and supplies moving up the line and the evacuation of casualties, and the French advance on the right flank of the British divisions. We begin with a look at the area taken over from the French in the winter of 1915-16, cover the actions of 1st July at La Boiselle, Fricourt and the Tambour, the September battle of Thiepval Ridge and the Battle of the Ancre - along the valley and the final attempt to take the heights. We will look at the actions of famous divisions and battalions including the 34th division at La Boiselle to the ill-fated 10th West Yorks at the Tambour on 1st July. We follow later battles with fighting by the Guards, the 18th and 51st Highland and Royal Naval Divisions and many more. This is a good follow on tour to Part I, or a great introduction to walking the battlefields of the Somme. Professor Richard Holmes will be your guide on this tour.

WALKING WITH HOLTS
Our first Walking tour of the Somme battlefields was run in 1994, as an experiment – a very successful one! There has been a Somme Walks tour every year since then and usually one to a different area as well, including the Salient, 1918, Champagne, Normandy, The Hindenburg Line and Flanders. This year we are, as requested, introducing a new tour – around Arras and repeating our Normandy Walks. The 1914 Walks will now be included in 2011, together with an Old Front Line tour, walking from Serre to the Somme and following the line as closely as possible.

The aim of the tours is to get you off the roads, onto some of the tracks, away from the traffic and with time to check your maps and get a real feel for the ground. The background will be explained on the coach before we arrive and there will short talks throughout the walk. They are usually 5 – 7km and you need only be reasonably fit and come with good walking shoes/boots, an effective rain jacket plus suncream and a hat. There is no rush and for once, straggling is not frowned on! Those who reach the next stand will find plenty to talk about as the slower walkers catch up.

If you haven’t walked the battlefields before, come with us this year and see if you like it.

Part 2 – ITINERARY
Day 1 (Monday): Depart Victoria Coach Station London 08:45. Dover-Calais ferry. Drive south to the Somme battlefield. A back area walk along the old light railway behind the area of the first British troops in this area. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel du Golf, Arras (3 night stay).
Day 2: 1st July - Becourt, La Boiselle to Fricourt and the Tambour. Picnic lunch. From the Citadel to Carnoy.
Day 3: September - The Battle of Thiepval Ridge – from Courcelette to the Schwaben Redoubt. Group lunch in Auchonvillers. With the French from Maricourt to Combles.
Day 4: November - The Battle of the Ancre from Beaumont Hamel to Ten Tree Alley. Lunch break in Arras. Calais – Dover ferry arriving approx 18:45 Dover and 20:30 Victoria Coach Station London.