We begin this introductory Second World War tour in Calais, at the citadel, where the desperate fight for the town took place as the Dunkirk evacuation was beginning in May 1940. Moving inland, we see the ground that British troops fought over to defend the perimeter and keep the corridor open. We stand on the Dunkirk beaches where over 300,000 British and French troops were evacuated in 1940 - a 'miracle of deliverance' as described by Winston Churchill.

Accompanied by your guide, Colonel Simon Doughty, we visit St Valéry where the 51st Highland Division was forced to surrender to Rommel's 7th Panzer Division in June 1940. We explore the Dieppe beaches, where over 900 British and Canadian servicemen were killed during the raid in August 1942. An operation conducted at great cost and seemingly no gain, Dieppe highlighted the many Allied shortcomings in equipment, tactics and training – vital lessons for the success of Operation Overlord two years later.

We begin our visit to Normandy with the opening coup de main operations on the night before D-Day - the Merville Battery and Bénouville Bridge (Pegasus Bridge). We visit the Caen Museum, the British, Canadian and American assault beaches, the D-Day Museum at Arromanches, and Pointe du Hoc where US Rangers scaled the cliffs in the face of fierce German resistance.

Considering the wider strategic and tactical issues, we explore the challenges and frustrations of Combined and Allied operations, the role of politicians and senior commanders, and the harsh conditions faced by soldiers, sailors and airmen who fought in NW Europe. This tour will cover one of the most critical periods of the Second World War – from the dark days of 1940 to the 'Great Crusade' at Normandy in June 1944.

ITINERARY
Day 1 (Friday): Depart Victoria Coach Station, London 09:00. Dover – Calais ferry. The Battle for Calais, followed by Dunkirk perimeter, the evacuation beaches at Bray Dunes, and the Dunkirk Memorial. Dinner and overnight near Calais.
Day 2: Drive south to St Valéry-en-Caux, visiting the Memorial to the 51st Highland Division overlooking the port. Lunch break in this delightful seaside town. We travel the coastal road to Dieppe, visiting the beaches where Lord Lovat and Canadian troops landed in the early hours of 19th August 1942. We explore the main Canadian landing beaches along the Esplanade in Dieppe, concluding at the Canadian CWGC cemetery above the town. Dinner and overnight Dieppe.
Day 3: We travel to Normandy for a two night stay. En route - Merville Battery, followed by Pegasus Bridge and museum. Lunch break, and a visit to the Normandy Museum at Caen. Dinner and overnight, Caen.
Day 4: We tour the British, Canadian and American D-Day beaches, the 360o Cinema, the Mulberry Harbour, and Arromanches Museum. Omaha Beach, the US cemetery, and Pointe du Hoc. We conclude our D-Day tour by paying respects at one of the CWGC cemeteries in Normandy. Dinner and overnight.
Day 5: We travel back to Calais, with a lunch break in Boulogne, followed by a visit to the Ambleteuse 1939-45 Museum. Calais – Dover ferry. ETA 18:30 Dover and 20:30 London.