In November 1917 Major General Erich Ludendorff, convinced that Germany had used up its last manpower reserves, that unrestricted submarine warfare had failed to defeat Great Britain and that the American presence would soon be overwhelming., decided to play his last card. The Kaiserschlacht would launch a series of inter-related attacks that would cause the collapse of the Allied armies.

Divisions were transferred from the Eastern Front, a major training programme including storm troop tactics was carried out. ‘Attack divisions’ formed one quarter of the attacking forces. They would be supported by the intensive, co-ordinated artillery of the brilliant Colonel Bruchmuller. The first attack, Operation Michael 21st March 1918 would fall on the British 3rd and 5th armies. They were ill prepared to withstand the onslaught and their fighting retreat of 40 miles over the next six days will be told at the beginning of our tour.

But there was no breakthrough, the line held and the vital rail communications were not broken. An inter-allied conference at Doullens gave Foch the authority to co-ordinate the Allied armies on the Western Front and in spite of further attacks – Georgette, Gneisenau and Blucher – the lines held. Just. Now it was time to hit back and we will look at the events on either side of the Roman road between Amiens and St.Quentin. From the Australian success at Le Hamel on 4th July, Ludendorff’s ‘Black Day of the German Army’, 8th August, the taking of the Chipilly Spur and Mont St Quentin to the re-taking of places familiar in 1916 we will follow the long awaited renewal of the ‘war of movement’.

This was the beginning of the greatest series of British victories in the history of the British Army, fought by battle hardened divisions but also by many young, inexperienced conscripts. We will pay tribute to them as we tell their story. Your guide will be Dr. Chris Pugsley, whose experience both military and academic will make this an absorbing journey. In 2011 we will follow through from the beginning of September to some of the last battles of the war.

ITINERARY
Day 1 (Friday): Depart London Victoria Coach Station 08:45. Dover – Calais ferry. As you drive south towards Amiens the your guide will set the scene, looking at the actions of the last months of 1917 and the possibilities for 1918. Check in to our hotel for dinner and a three night stay.
Day 2: To St. Quentin to discuss the initial attack on 21st March. The British front line and delaying actions on the first day by the Kings’ Royal Rifle Corps, the Royal Engineers and the Worcesters. Lunch break in Peronne. We follow the fighting retreat of the 9th Scottish Division, which included the South African Brigade, from Gauche Wood and Bouchavesnes to Dernancourt and look at the crucial arrival of the New Zealanders at Hebuterne. Dinner and after dinner talk –‘What about the French and Americans?’
Day 3: This morning we stand on the ridge at Villers Brettoneaux and discuss the Australian defence and counter attack in this vital sector. We visit the scene of the first tank vs tank battle at Cachy. We will have a lunch break in Amiens, a vital railhead in 1918. In the afternoon we see the shape of things to come in the all-arms battle of Le Hamel, 4th July, then Ludendorff’s ‘Black day’ on 8th August – a surprise bombardment, the use of tanks, air support, tanks, wireless and the flexible use of infantry as the Canadians advance 8 miles, the Australians 6 miles and British III corps 2 miles. We will walk part of the Canadian advance, visit the Villers Brettoneaux museum and see where ‘Todger’ Jones won his VC above Chipilly. Dinner in our hotel.
Day 4: Firstly we look at the difficulties of re-crossing the old Somme battlefield, including the fierce defence of Bapaume. We then move down to Peronne to see where, on 31st August, the Australians took Mont St Quentin in an amazing feat of arms. Lunch break in Arras. Calais – Dover ferry. Arrive approx 18:45 Dover and 20:30 London Victoria Coach Station.