Military History Tours          On Tour - Fromelles and PoziËres Centenary 21 July 2016

One of those really great days of touring.

We started out with a visit to Massemy soldatenfriedhof, a German cemetery where we paid our respects to the young men of the enemy in 1914-18, those who had sought to serve their country in the same way as ours did, suffered the same privations, just without the success of victory. John had explained the layout en route, then we had time in contemplation of the fate of so many sons lost to families on the other side of the hill.

Then to Belenglise, site of the Hindenburg outpost line battle, and place where the memorial to the 4th Division stands solitary in a field.

A short drive and we were at the Riqueval Canal. A bit of exercise was had to reach the major tunnel where the Germans had hidden so many men away from allied bombardment. Most also took the walk down to the tunnel where an un-latched security gate allowed us to enter.

Thence to Montbrehain the closest point to Germany reached by Australian troops, and site of the most easterly Australian graves. The Pipes and Drums helped our tour group and the people of Montbrehain to commemorate the loss of these men in the final Australian battle of the war. A reception by the Mayor followed really tasty sweet French pastries; we will all have to watch our waistlines.

After a long day we returned to our hotel for dinner and the potential for an early night.