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Offered languages
- German
- German
- English
- Dutch
Visit the USA doughboys fighting in the Somme and Western-Aisne departments during the First World War with an expert, and official guide of the Battlefields.
As early as July 1916 the US had volunteers in the front lines in this area, as part of the French Foreign Legion and British units. As the American Expeditionary Force, the USA joined the war in April 1917. The first US soldiers were killed in action during November 1917 in the Battle of Cambrai. through 1918, pushing the Germans back after their Spring-Offensives had been stopped, the involvement of the US Army in the Somme and Western-Aisne grew from May up until October of that year; ultimately conquering the famous Hindenburg line.
We will be looking over the course of eight hours into all of these subjects.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
I will wear my official Somme Touring Badge and be driving a Bordeaux Renault Kangoo (GM-183-DT)
Our own B&B (www.14-18sommechambres) in the middle of the Somme Battlefields. The address is 5 Rue d'Hamel in Beaucourt-sur-l'Ancre. Ideal for those who are looking for accommodation. Either we can leave your car on the parking and you will join me in my car, or I will join you in your car.
Itinerary
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1Australian Corps Memorial
33rd US Division This assault of the Australian Corps was just before the collapse of the German Army on 4 July (Independence Day) 1918. Led by very innovative tactics by the Australian Corps commander, John Monash. The battle was won, assisted greatly by US Doughboys of 33rd Division within a 100 minutes from Zero Hour. Here is also a tremendous opportunity to explain and show nearly exactly the very last flight of the fabled Red Baron Manfred von Richthofen on 21 April 1918.
40 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2
The very first Battle the US Army was involved in on the European continent in May 1918. Alongside the French Army a regiment of the 1st US Division pushed their opponents out of a very important and promontory position at Cantigny. Now it's the location of the official US Battle Monuments Commission's Memorial to the battle. Also a striking 'Doughboy' memorial to 28th Infantry Regiment ('The Black Lions of Cantigny') of the US 1st Division, which also has a memorial in the village. Special praise is made to the Illinois (Chicago) involvement in the battle. (Still commemorated within Chicago at this moment)
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3
In one of the mass graves is said to be laid to rest one of the most well-known US poets, Alan Seeger. Nephew of the famous folk singer and banjo player Pete Seeger. His remains were taken from one of the original war-time cemeteries of the French part of the Battle of the Somme, to be concentrated in one of the mass graves on this fairly large 'silent city'.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4
In the fighting for the village on the Fourth of July (Independence Day) 1916, Alan Seeger was fatally injured. We will visit the field where it actually happened over 110 years ago. Alan Seeger is famous for his poem "Rendez-vous with Destiny", the favorite poem of John F. Kennedy. In the centre of the village many memorials remember the French Foreign Legion, that Alan Seeger was a part of, when he joined the unit voluntary, very early in the war.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5Somme American Cemetery and Memorial
1.844 US service men are buried in this cemetery who were killed during actions in the Somme and Western Aisne departmens. The cemetery is situated directly in front of the fabled German Hindenburg Line and just behind it's outpost positions. The unique architecture of the cemetery warrants closer scrutiny, as well as some of the burials. We can find nurses, recipients of the Medal of Honor, brothers buried together and indeed a US civilian. On the walls of the awestriking chapel we find the names of the soldiers who have no known grave
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6
This marvelous monument sits on top of the St. Quentin Canal Tunnel and therefore on top of the German Hindenburg Line. It marks roughly the dividing line between the US 27th 'National Guards' Division to the north and the US 30th 'Old Hickory' Tennessee Division to the south and gives great views over the Battlegrounds where the doughboys were making their advance during the last week of September of 1918
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
7
We will not visit the 'towing boat' museum (for constraints of time). To our interest is a visit to the marvelous St. Quentin Canal Tunnel entrance, which was integrated in the German Hindenburg Line defences. The canal and tunnel were dug in the age of the Emperor Napoleon I and opened in 1810. The Germans used the tunnel as their barracks. Apart from the awestriking surroundings, there is a very peculiar story to be told; the legend of the German human-meat factory.
25 minutes • Admission ticket free -
8
One of the most famous photo's taken is the Brigadier General of the British 137th Brigade (46th Division) addressing his men, who had gathered on the steep side of the Canal, after their daring crossing of the waterway, with the intention of attacking the German Hindenburg defences in the rear. They accomplished this with great success.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
9
The 11th US Engineer Regiment was doing work on the railway on this very spot in November 1917, during the Battle of Cambrai. They were surrounded by a surprise German counter-attack and had quite a few casualties during their sudden defense. They managed to hold out until relieved by British troops. These are the very first soldiers of the American Expeditionary Corps to have been killed on the European Continent during the First World War
15 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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