Import Battlefield Travel Information
Battlefield tourism remains a thriving activity in northern France and Belgium and events on or near the various places of engagement continue to make news. Below we have listed a few of the most pertinent news releases and we will continue to add to this list as time and space allow.
| 14 February 2012 | A new battlefield memorial has been erected on Croix Rouge Ferme commemorating the involvement of the US 42nd 'Rainbow' Division in the First World War. [More details] |
| 10 February 2012 | Archaeologists find the bodies of World War One German soldiers. [See Daily Mail story] |
| 14 December 2011 | An important Second World War monument has been relocated. See our blog post 'Irish Guards Monument Moved' for details. |
| 4 December 2011 | The legacy of Second World War bombing campaigns still provides drama as low water levels exposed two RAF bombs in the Rhine River. Bomb disposal efforts cause the city of Koblenz to evacuate one half of its residents. [See BBC News] |
| 20 June 2011 | Interesting story on the history and removal on bombs dropped by the Allies on Berlin. [See BBC News] |
| 5 June 2010 | D-Day Pointe du Hoc site gets facelift to save it. [See Story] |
| 2 June 2010 | World War II bomb kills three in Germany. [See Daily Mail Story] |
| 18 March 20 | Australian soldier's body identified 94 years after he died in the Battle of Fromelles [See Story] |
| 30 January 2010 | First new Commonwealth War Grave Cemetery created in 50 years open to accommidate recently discovered remains from the First World War Battle of Fromelles. [See London Times Story] |
| 25 July 2009 | Unfortunately, we must advise our battlefield visitors of a serious safety problem in the Calais area. Illegal immigrants attempting to gain entrance into Britain have been involved in criminal activity in the vicinity of the port facilities. [More details] |
| 25 July 2009 | It is with great sadness that we report the loss of two of the few remaining First World War veterans including the last survivor of trench warfare. More information can be found [here] or [here] |
| 8 June 2007 | Battlefield archeologists discover a mass grave of Australian dead from the 16 July 1916 Battle of Fromelles. [More Details] |
Battlefield Commemorations
Many of the historic battles for which Europe is famous are commemorated. The festivities can range from simple, solemn ceremonies to week long festivals, concerts, reunions, re-enactments, and speeches. Annual commemorations range in importance from those held by local historical organizations to those organized by national governments, which are frequently attended by international dignitaries. Commemorative years such as the 65th anniversary of Second World War events, or the 90th anniversary of First World War events receive special recognition and attendance. One time ceremonies are frequently held upon the creation of a new museum or erection of a new memorial. Below are listed the date, location, and event of some of the prominent commemorations. The dates given here are an indication only; please confirm the dates of the events below with local tourist offices before organizing your trip.
Events associated with the Hundred Years War or Napoleon are more tourist entertainments than the solemn commemorations associated with the two world wars. As we regretfully near the lifespan end for Second World War veterans, fewer of them are able to attend commemoration ceremonies. Nevertheless, the appreciation still shown by decedents of those liberated by soldiers who crossed a channel or an ocean to fight on foreign soil is no less heartfelt.
Hundred Years War
| Date | Event Remembered | Location | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 May | Siege of Orleans | Orleans | Commemorates the defeat of the English siege of Orleans in 1429 by Jeanne d’Arc and is accompanied by a major festival. |
| 28/29 May | Battle of Azincourt | Azincourt | Agincourt Remembrance Tournament |
| 24/25 July | Battle of Azincourt | Azincourt | Battle reenactment |
Napoleon at Waterloo
| Date | Event Remembered | Location | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19/20 June | Battle of Waterloo | Dernier Quartier-General de Napoleon and Hougoumont Farm |
Over night bivouac of uniformed soldiers at Napoleon headquarters (French) and Hougoumont Farm (English and Prussian) |
| 21 June | Battle of Waterloo | Place du village, Plancenoit | Re-enactment of fighting around Plancenoit |
| 22 June | Battle of Waterloo | Fields near the Hougoumont farm | Re-enactment of fighting around Hougoumont farm |
First World War Commemorations
These events are usually held annually; however, larger and additional special ceremonies are held in 'exceptional' years such as the recent 90th anniversary of First World War events.
| Date | Event Remembered | Location | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily | Battle of Ypres | Menin Gate, Ypres | Playing of the Last Post and wreath laying |
| February | ANZAC Day | Several locations around the city | Commemorations, concerts, and displays suggesting the futility of war. |
| 25 April (nearest Saturday) |
ANZAC Day | Villers-Bretonneux Memorial | Ceremony in the afternoon |
| Bullecourt Memorial | Ceremony | ||
| New Zealand Memorial at Longueval | Commemoration of deaths from First and Second World Wars | ||
| last Monday in May | American Memorial Day | Most American military cemeteries | Commemoration of deaths from First and Second World Wars |
| 30 May | Russian Expeditionary Force participation in First World War |
St. Hilaire-le-Grand memorial chapel near Mourmelon | Pilgrimage and memorial service commemorating Russians participating in the First World War and killed fighting on the Western Front |
| 2nd Sunday in June | Battle of the Somme | Serre-Hébuterne Chapel | French commemoration of the Battle of the Somme |
| 1 July | Battle of the Somme | Thiepval British Memorial | 10:30 am Commemoration of the beginning of the Battle of the Somme |
| Canadian (Newfoundland) Memorial at Beaumont- Hamel | Commemoration of the contributions of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment | ||
| Ulster Tower, Thiepval | Commemoration of 36th Ulster Division | ||
| Lochnagar Crater at La Boisselle | 7:30 am commemoration of start of the Somme Offensive | ||
| 19 July | Battle of Fromelles | VC Corner Cemetery, Fromelles | Commemoration of Australian participation in the battle. |
| 20 July (nearest Sunday) | Battle of Delville Wood | Longueval | South African commemoration |
| 26 August | Battle of Le Cateau | Suffolk Memorial south of Le Cateau | Annual commemoration service |
| 28 August (nearest Sunday) |
Battle of the Somme | Charentais Cemetery in Moislains | French commemoration |
| 2nd Sunday in September | Battle of the Somme | Chapelle du Souvenir Français, Rancourt | French remembrance ceremony |
| 26 September | Meuse-Argonne Offensive | Butte de Vauquois | Remembrance Ceremony |
| 11 November | Armistice Day | Almost every town and village in France | Large and small ceremonies are held throughout France depending upon the community; generally includes a formal parade in Paris, formal ceremonies at major war memorials (Vimy Ridge, Beaumont-Hamel for Canadians), military jet fly-bys over the Somme, and other events. |
Second World War Commemorations
Ceremonies in 2009 were larger than in recent years and were attended by heads-of-state and a large number of dignitaries recognizing that the 65th anniversary of the events of 1944 may be the last to be witnessed by large numbers of veterans.
| Date | Event Remembered | Location | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 May | VE-Day | Many communities across France | Ceremonies large and small depending upon the community. |
| 6 June | D-Day Invasion. [Click Here] for a complete list of events throughout the summer | Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer and Utah Beach | Formal international ceremonies |
| Arromanches-les-Bains | British formal ceremonies | ||
| Ranville | British parachute drop | ||
| Courseulles-sur-Mer | Canadian formal ceremonies | ||
| Numerous locations | Wreath laying, parades, fireworks, music presentations | ||
| 17-22 September | Battle of Arnhem | Nijmegen | Parachute drop of 82nd Airborne; simulated crossing of Waal River |
| Arnhem | Parachute drop by British Airborne troops, wreath laying, and official memorial service. | ||
| 16 December | Battle of the Bulge | Bastogne, Belgium | Ceremonies in place McAuliffe and Mardasson Memorial |
| Numerous locations in the Belgian Ardennes | Ceremonies at many of the monuments that commemorate critical events in the battle. |