- CONTENTS
- Abbreviations
- Introduction
- How to Use this Guide
- Historical Summary
- Approach One: Calais to Péronne
- Approach Two: Calais to Amiens
- Itinerary One: Albert to Ayette
- Itinerary Two: Albert to Pozières
- Itinerary Three: Amiens to Bapaume
- Itinerary Four: Assevillers to Bapaume
- Itinerary Five: Villers Bretonneux to Montdidier
- Allied & German War Graves & Commemorative
Associations
- Tourist Information
- Indexes: Forces, Memorials, Museums etc,
War Cemeteries, General
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Major
& Mrs Holt's Battlefield Guide
to the Somme
A
completely revised and much-expanded edition -
with 32 new pages, many new photos, memorials
and roads.
New sections
are included on the American, Australian, Canadian
and French actions of 1918. Like all of the
books in the series it is the most comprehensive
and up-to-date guide to the area, yet is far more
than a mere guidebook. It is an encyclopaedic
summary of the WW1 Somme Battles and the region
in which they were fought. Descriptions of every
element of the battle are woven into a kaleidoscope
of human, literary and travel details and every
stop has an accompanying description and tale
of heroic or tragic action:
- … here Noel Chavasse won his first VC
- … here tank fought tank for the first time
- … here Jean Cocteau worked with the Red
Cross
- … here the Red Baron was brought down
- … here Albert Jacka won his VC
It
includes:
- Historical Summary of the Somme Battles
of 1916 and 1918
- Two different Approach Routes
- Five timed and measured recommended Itineraries
- New sections on the American, Australian
& French 1917/18 Battles
- Descriptions of the Commonwealth, French
& German War Graves/ MOD PS4/Durand Group/
Somme Assoc/Ross Bastiaan Plaques
- Useful Tourist Information
- Full colour illustrations and detailed in-text
sketch maps
Packaged with
and Map References throughout to Major & Mrs Holt's 1 July 1916 Battle Map of the Somme
This detailed and unique fully-indexed, 4-colour,
double-sided map shows modern roads, Battle
Line of 1 July 1916, Ground gained 1 July and
17 Nov 1916. The 1918 American, Australian,
Canadian, French Sector. Memorials, Museums,
Preserved Sites, Allied & German War Cemeteries.
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Historial de la Grande Guerre
This museum behind the façade of the old château
at Péronne has exhibits showing British and Commonwealth,
French & German aspects of the Great War on
the Somme. It has a cinema, interesting temporary
exhibitions and a cafeteria. |
 The
Golden Madonna, Albert
During the war the figure of the Virgin Mary on
the Basilique in Albert, holding aloft the baby
Jesus, was hit by a shell and toppled to a perilous
angle over the ruins. Visible for miles around
by soldiers on both sides it became the subject
of legend. The Allies believed that the war would
end the day it fell and the Germans believed that
whoever knocked
it down would lose the war. Both were wrong. |
The Lochnagar Crater
This huge crater at la Boisselle was blown
at 0728 on 1 July 1916 by 185th Tunnelling Coy
as part of 'The Great Push'. It was bought by
Englishman Richard Dunning in order to preserve
this extraordinary vestige of the war and is the
site of an annual ceremony on 1 July.
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 The
preserved trenches, Newfoundland Memorial Park
Here at Beaumont Hamel the Newfoundlanders attacked
on 1 July 1916 and sustained horrendous losses
for their small community, then separate from
Canada. The preserved trenches surround an attractive
Visitor's Centre where young Canadian guides are
generally available to conduct one around the
area. |
The 38th (Welsh) Division Memorial
This magnificent Welsh dragon is the memorial
to the 38th (Welsh) Division who took Mametz Wood
(which it overlooks) after bitter and costly struggles
on 10 July 1916. The poet David Jones describes
the action in his imaginative work, "In Parenthesis." |
Delville Wood Memorial
Beyond the South African memorial surmounted
by the figures of Castor & Pollux, the1984
Museum can be seen. One of the most popular stops
on the Somme there is a well-stocked book and
souvenir stall, parking and picnic area here. |
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 Franco-Australian
Museum, Villers-Bretonneux
This fascinating museum adjoins the school and
has many references to the twinning of the town
with Robinvale in Victoria. Links between them
are strong and a signed Australian tour route
starts from here. |
 The
Ulster Tower
This memorial to the 36th (Ulster ) Division is
a replica of the traditional Irish tower that
stands in the grounds of the Marquis of Dufferin
& Ava at Clandeboy. It marks the site of the
gallant charge by the Ulsters of 1 July 1916.
Behind it is a Visitors' Centre. |
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| There are 258 coloured
illustrations like these in the book - but larger! |
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