Sadly, given the take up on this tour so far, we have had no option but to look at an alternate date.
We do understand this will be a real disappointment, but, with just 4 bookings to date, we are considerably short of the 16 required to ensure the tour is sustainable.
Mike Sheil especially has put considerable effort into the planning and itinerary, so much so we would like to defer it to later in the year as opposed to the cancel the idea entirely.
The tour will be open to both BCMH and DHF members. The Second Battle of the Marne is an overlooked aspect of the Great War and an area, we believe, merits a thorough study by both groups and their learned membership.
Unfortunately, the lead in time until late April is now too short to allow us to sensibly plan a tour that fits in with Battle Honours’ already congested tour schedule.
We do understand the new dates may not be acceptable, especially given travel plans already in place, in the instance of deposits having been paid, Battle Honours will of course refund them as requested. Alternately you can transfer to any Battle Honours Tour on their website www.battle-honours.co.uk
To that end, having consulted with Mike Sheil, we can confirm the preferred dates are now Thursday 2nd to Monday 6th November 2023.
Mike will be providing an update as well as promoting the tour at the BCMH AGM on 4 March.
This is not a decision that has been taken lightly. As there seemed so little interest for the tour so early in the year we were left with little choice.
The Tour
The 2023 Battlefield Tour will look at the Second Battle of the Marne (June to August 1918) and will be based in Chateau Thierry throughout.
The Tour will be administered by Battle Honours Tours who led us so successfully to the Reichswald in 2022 and the Tour Leader will be Mike Sheil whose work, particularly his photography, will be known to many of you.
Priority booking will be given to members of the BCMH and the Douglas Haig Fellowship (DHF).
Tour Dates: 2 to 6 November 2023
Price Per Person: £880:00 (Single Supplement £160:00)
Hotel:
4 nights in 3* Hotel central to the battlefields *B&B Basis
A group evening meal is included
Details of the Itinerary, including a booking form, are to be found at this link BCMH Battlefield tour 2023 (battle-honours.co.uk)
Image (IWM)
Officers of the 2nd Battalion, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, 62nd Division, conferring with French and Italian officers in the Bois de Reims during the Battle of Tardenois, 24 July 1918.
Image details
THE SECOND BATTLE OF THE MARNE, JULY-AUGUST 1918 | Imperial War Museums (iwm.org.uk)