Military History Tours          Le Hamel (France) 1 - 5 July 2018

Le Hamel (France) July 2018

The Hamel operation was under the command of Lieutenant General John Monash. Many of the tactics employed, such as the use of combined arms from the massed attacks mounted earlier in the war, illustrate the evolution of modern military tactics. All the Allies' objectives were achieved in 93 minutes, just three minutes more than Monash's calculated battle time of 90 minutes. Using conventional tactics, the fighting could have lasted for weeks or months, with much higher casualty rates. For example, a similar defensive position had resisted Allied capture for two months at the Battle of the Somme. The battle was the first time in the war that American troops participated in an offensive action under non-American command. Ten American companies joined with Australian troops under Australian command, although six were recalled before the battle. The Battle of Hamel was to have far-reaching consequences for trench warfare, because, it provided a practical demonstration of tactics for attacking an entrenched enemy using combined arms tactics. The strategy employed at Hamel was then successful on a much larger scale in the Battle of Amiens and was a major factor in Allied successes later in the war.

Price: Tour from $2495.00 (5 days / 4 nights) per person twin share, single supplement $550.00. (Price may vary due to volatility of the Australian Dollar on the international currency market.)

Included in the tour price:

• Australian military historian
• Transport by air conditioned coach
• Hospitality vehicles for special cemetery visits
• museum entries
• Accommodation
• Most Meals as per programme below

Not included in tour price:

• Alcohol
• Laundry, dry cleaning phone calls
• Insurance (see Booking Terms and Conditions)
• Other items of a personal nature
• Air travel to/from Australia
• Airport transfers

Itinerary

1 July 2018 – PARIS to THE SOMME:

Our tour departs for the Somme from our Paris hotel, at 0900. Guests are to be at the hotel by 0830 or, if arriving into CDG airport that morning, they will be met at the airport. After settling into our hotel in the Somme we will visit Peronne and the Historial Museum followed by a welcoming dinner in Peronne. B/D

2 July 2018 – THE SOMME:

After breakfast your coach will depart for the first of our three days touring the Somme battlefields. Your Military Historian travelling with you will brief you during the day on events and the significance of the places you visit.

During the touring days you will visit many of the battle sites, memorials and cemeteries of the Somme and today we intend to visit, Dernancourt, Pozieres, Theipval, Sailly le Sec and Villers-Bretonneux. Dinner in our hotel. B/L/D

3 July 2018 – THE SOMME:

With your box lunch for sustenance, you will again be led through the Somme battlefields by your historian. Today it is our intention to visit Delville Wood, Mont St Quentin, the 2nd Division Memorial, Bellenglise, the 4th Division Memorial, Maissemy, the Riqueval Canal and where the Australian Corps under General Monash finished the War, at Montbrehain.

Tonight you are granted leave. A free night in Amiens to view the Cathedrale Notre Dame ( larger than Notre Dame in Paris ), then find your own special French restaurant on the river running through town, and for the ladies especially, shop!

Coach transport will be provided in and out of Amiens. B/L

4 July 2018 – Le HAMEL:

We will leave this day clear at this time so that as we get closer to the time, we will be in a position to respond to any Government Service that is planned and be able then to attend any special Services that are being held in the Somme. B/L/D

5 July 2018 – THE SOMME to PARIS:

We return to Paris after breakfast as we say farewell to the Somme. There will be a couple of drop off points in Paris and they will be relayed to you at a later time. B

Booking Terms and Conditions

1. GENERAL: This tour has been prepared by Military History Tours (MHT).

2. Military History Tours (MHT), urges you to read the booking terms and conditions and contact us if you need any clarification. At the time of publishing this on the internet, the arrangements outlined in it, the price and the inclusions were all confirmed. However, MHT reserves the right to make amendments to the program and the price, should conditions beyond the control of MHT change.

3. DEPOSITS: A deposit of AUD $500.00 per person is required to secure a booking on the tour.

4. BOOKINGS: Bookings can be made direct with MHT. The registration form enclosed must reach MHT, together with the deposit, to secure a reservation.

5. FINAL PAYMENT AND CANCELLATIONS: Final payment will be required NLT 28 February 2018. Any cancellations prior to this date will be entitled to a full refund. After 28 February 2018 any cancellation will be subject to the cancellation policy of the hotels and other service providers. You should consider cancellation insurance if you believe you may have to cancel arrangements close to these dates.

6. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: If you are travelling on an Australian passport, you will not need visas to visit France. However, we recommend that your passport has a minimum of 6 months validity at the time of your departure from Australia. If you are travelling on other than an Australian passport you should check with MHT on the requirements.

7. ACCOMMODATION: All hotels used in this tour are at least 3 and 4 star standard.

8. CHILDREN AND INFANTS: No deposits are required for children under 12 years of age. However, they should be detailed on the registration form so that appropriate accommodation is provided. The cost for children and infants, under 3, will be provided on request.

9. SPECIAL REQUESTS: Should you have special food requirements or a disability that will require special handling please detail it on the registration form.

10. INSURANCE: It is not acceptable for MHT to accept people on its tours who are not holding appropriate travel insurance.

11. INCLUSIONS AND EXCLUSIONS: A list of the inclusions and exclusions is included on the program.

12. TOUR CANCELLATION: MHT reserves the right to cancel this tour at any time prior to commencement should booking numbers be insufficient to cover costs. Should the tour be cancelled subject to this clause, all payments made to MHT will be refunded, less any funds not able to be recovered from suppliers.

13. SUMMARY: MHT has run battlefield tours for over 20 years. If you join this tour, MHT guarantee that should you have a specific Australian grave site to visit for family or other reasons, and providing it is registered with CWGC, we will make every effort to have you visit the site and have time to lay a wreath or poppy.

14. LAW OF CONTRACT: The contract for the "Le Hamel Centenary" tour is governed in all aspects by the law in the State of NSW and any legal action arising under the contract shall be litigated only in the appropriate court having jurisdiction in that state.

15. TRAVELLING WITH MEDALS :

For those who wish to display their own or a relative's medals when showing their respects, the airline security situation must be recognised. Due to the pin at the rear of all medal displays, it is no longer possible to carry them as hand luggage and they must be deposited in your main luggage (cargo hold bag). Valuable original medals in your cargo hold bag could be lost. Insurance can cover the cost to replace your clothing, not your great grandfather's original World War 1 or World War 2 medals. It is recommended that you purchase a duplicate set, and put it in your cargo hold bag. Leave your valuable originals at home.