Flers, Longueval, Bapaume, Wellington Tunnells….
See the beauty of the Somme! This Day Tour takes you south into the rolling hills and valleys that witnessed the first and last New Zealand major actions on the Western Front.
In 1916 both sides hammered themselves to a bloody stalemate. The Kiwis were called into battle for the first time on the Western Front. Eyebrows were raised as New Zealand’s baptism of fire saw the furthest advance of all the British Forces in the Battle of the Somme. The New Zealanders had arrived.
The Battle of the Somme belongs to the “brutal learning period of 1916”, the losses on the first day were staggering. This contrasts to the Allied battles of 1918 where, after the New Zealander’s stopped the massive German thrust known as Operation Michael near Bapaume, the Germans were continually driven back until the final stroke at Le Quesnoy, they knew it was all over.
In the afternoon we head underground into the Wellington Tunnells. Dug by New Zealand miners, this vast network of caves sheltered nearly 25,000 troops beneath the town of Arras for a surprise attack on the German line
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The Kiwi Somme Day Tour runs twice a week, every Tuesday and Friday. Other days are available on request.
Kiwi Somme Day Tour
Itinerary
Depart from Arras at around 9.00am.
Visit to Warlencourt British Cemetery.
Visit to the New Zealand Memorial at Longueval.
Visit to the Caterpillar Valley Cemetery and New Zealand Memorial.
View and consider the action at Flers.
Visit to the Fricourt German Military Cemetery.
Lunch is near Lochnagar Crater.
Visit to the Lochnagar Crater.
Visit to the British National Memorial for the Missing at Thiepval.
Visit to the Newfoundland Memorial Park and walk through authentic WWI trenches.
Visit to Euston Road Cemetery.
Visit to the Grevillers British Cemetery and New Zealand Memorial.
Visit to the Wellington Tunnels, Arras.
End in Arras for the 6.00pm conclusion of Tour.
The Kiwi Somme Day Tour a part of the 2 Day Kiwi Tour. The above itinerary may be varied based on the wishes/consensus of the Tour Guests travelling on any particular day.
