STAR INCLUSIONS ★ Juno Beach ★ D-day in Normandy: Mulberry harbour in Arromanches ★ Villers-Bocage
A fascinating look at the role of Allied and German Tanks in the Battle of Normandy where we see an original Tiger tank, Shermans, Panzers, and many other vehicles in the French Tank Museum as well as on the D-Day and Normandy battlefields.
Depart from your chosen UK pick-up point and travel to the port where a coach interchange will take place, you will then join your tour coach for the Channel crossing. On arrival on the Continent we continue to our hotel.
We start on the British D-Day beaches looking at the use of specialist armour. On Gold Beach we discuss the use of self-propelled guns of the Royal Artillery in the ‘run-in shoot’ seeing an example of a Sexton. At Juno Beach we look at the roll of Churchill AVREs and also Sherman DD tanks seeing original examples of both. Following lunch we look at the use of tanks inland post D-Day and the fortunes of the 7th Armoured Division in its clash with German Tiger tanks at Villers-Bocage in June 1944. We then examine the largest British tank battle of the Normandy campaign when the British attacked during Operation Goodwood seeing the battlefield around the Bourguebus Ridge and visiting the graves in Bannerville War Cemetery. (B)
STAR INCLUSIONS ★ Juno Beach ★ D-day in Normandy: Mulberry harbour in Arromanches ★ Villers-Bocage
A long but rewarding day as we travel south to visit the superb French Tank Museum at Saumur. This is France’s main museum of armoured fighting vehicles and covers WWI to the present day. Among the more than 200 tanks found here, many were used in Normandy and among them are a Panther tank, Tiger I and Tiger II as well as Allied Churchills and Shermans. We have plenty of time to explore this rich collection before returning to Normandy. (B)
STAR INCLUSIONS ★ French Tank Musuem Saumur
Today we look at the American use of armoured divisions and start on Omaha Beach where Sherman DD tanks ran into problems on D-Day. We visit the Omaha Beach Museum and see a Sherman before moving onto La Cambe for a look at the decorated German panzer crews buried there including Tiger Ace Michael Wittmann. After lunch we visit the ever expanding Overlord Museum with an unrivalled collection of original WWII tanks in Normandy. We then follow Operation Cobra in the St. Jean de Daye and Le Dézert area. We also visit the site of Barkmann’s corner and look at how a single Panther tank held up the American advance here in 1944. (B)
STAR INCLUSIONS ★ Omaha Beach ★ Overlord Museum ★ Omaha Beach Museum ★ La Cambe
We leave the hotel after breakfast and travel to the Channel port. You will leave your tour coach behind as you transfer to your transfer vehicle for your return journey to your original departure point. (B)
★ 4 nights’ hotel accommodation
★ Daily continental breakfast
★ Specialist Battlefield Historian
★ Hundreds of convenient local joining points in the UK
★ Battlefield touring as per the itinerary
★ Travel by Silver Service coach
Value Tours are operated in conjunction with our UK partner, Leger Holidays.
Please note: Itineraries are subject to change due to operational reasons. Any changes will be advised closer to the time of departure.
We are a full-service travel agency and can book your entire European holiday!
Ask about our airfare, hotel, car hire and river cruise deals, which offer great discounts when booked in conjunction with our tours.
Value Tours are operated in conjunction with our UK partner, Leger Holidays.
Please note: Itineraries are subject to change due to operational reasons. Any changes will be advised closer to the time of departure.
“We have no hesitation in giving you a 10/10, and highly recommend Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours.
I know that these 2 days will stay with me forever.
The whole experience from the travel, accommodation and tour guide/manager was exceptional.
The four day tour was so very well organised right down to the finest detail and although tiring at some stages it was fantastic and certainly exceeded our expectations. Being selected to lay a wreath on behalf of the tour at the Menin Gate Memorial was only exceeded by being invited to read the Exhortation during the Last Post Memorial - what a highlight and one that I will never forget.
Absolutely incredible!
Erdem as guide, Roachie as our historian and Zafir as our fearless bus driver.
Stayed in the stunning çannakale, seen everything i wanted too and seriously i cannot think of a better experience in my entire life!
I would like to recommend highly the Western Front Battlefields Tour.
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the tour. The whole experience was one I will remember.
The Tour Guide was very knowledgeable and approachable. The facilities were amazing.
Thank you for a wonderful experience.
I have been in complete awe of the service and experience from Mat McLachlan tours.
Not only was my family and I reassured about our safety from the moment we booked but we knew we were in safe hands the moment we started the tour.
As one of my first tours, I am beyond impressed!
Let’s start the journey of a lifetime!
Ask about our airfare, hotel and car hire deals, which offer great discounts when booked in conjunction with our tours.
Please note: Itineraries are subject to change due to operational reasons. In addition, your Historian may alter the sites visited on each day to suit local conditions. Any changes will be advised closer to the time of departure.