Step into the heart of one of World War II's most dramatic and pivotal campaigns with this five-day Battle of the Bulge Battlefield Tour.
This immersive tour takes you to key locations where history was forged in fire and frost - including Bastogne, Malmedy, Wiltz, and St. Vith - offering a powerful and personal connection to the soldiers who endured one of the harshest battles of the war.
From the heroic stand of the 101st Airborne in Bastogne to the tragic massacre at Malmedy, the haunting woods of Foy, and the forgotten bunkers of the Siegfried Line, every stop reveals stories of endurance, sacrifice, and defiance.
When Hitler rolled his dice for the last time in the West, he launched his counter offensive in December 1944, through the thick snow-covered Ardennes Forests. Stood in his way was a citizen Army, mainly American units full of tired veterans and green replacements. What transpired was the largest land battle in World War 2, which lasted a month and resulted in a crushing Allied victory, although it cost the lives of more Americans than died, on both sides, at Gettysburg.
Joining you for the tour is historian and author, Peter Caddick-Adams, whose best-selling book Snow and Steel assesses The Battle of the Bulge. You'll also be joined by expert battlefield guide, Julian Whippy.
Peter Caddick-Adams is a broadcaster and writer who specialises in military history. He previously lectured in Military and Security Studies at the UK Defence Academy and in Air Power for the RAF and spent thirty-five years as an officer in the UK Regular and Reserve Forces. He has published seven books on military history, including Snow & Steel: The Battle of The Bulge 1944-45.
Travel by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels. Upon arrival, join the tour coach and visit Ardennes American Military Cemetery. This vast, immaculate, 90-acre site is now the resting place for nearly 5,000 American service personnel from World War II. Many of those buried here are from the Ardennes offensive, the Strategic Bombing offensives and the later advance into Germany itself.
Dragons teeth tank defences still sit marking the Belgian border with Germany at Hollerath, where at dawn on 16 December 1944 one of the German armoured juggernaut columns crashed into the shivering Americans in their shallow fox holes. After breakfast today, we follow one of these columns through the forests and study the fights they faced from a surprisingly determined and dogged set of defenders. Visit the Malmedy massacre site where SS troops killed unarmed prisoners and end the day at La Gleize where sits today one of the German King Tiger tanks close to their high-water mark.
After breakfast today, we travel south and take time to study the defence of St. Vith which suffered over 90% destruction during the campaign as it stood in the way of the central German thrust by advancing SS troops. We also see the newly preserved German Panther Tank at Houffalize and we stop at Parkers Crossroads where a rag tag collection of US units held out against enormous odds before finally being overrun. We then head to the vital crossroads town of Bastogne. Check in to your hotel for a two-night stay.
After breakfast this morning, we look at the often-overlooked southern arm of the Bulge. German Seventh Army attacked the town of Diekirch in southern Luxembourg, on the Saur River, which today is home to the superb Luxembourg War Museum where we start our day. At nearby Wiltz we see where fierce urban fighting gave way to frozen battles in the Forests of Mount Schuman.
The siege of Bastogne is now enshrined in US folklore, rather unfairly dominated by the furore around one unit known as the Band of Brothers. Today we will look also at many of the lessor talked about units that fought equally as hard but get little recognition. Whilst we will look at Foy and Noville, we see how the vital village of Marvie was skilfully defended and where the Nazi strangle hold was broken by Pattons relief force. We finish with a visit to the excellent Bastogne War Museum and nearby stunning Mardasson Memorial.
After breakfast this morning, transfer back to Brussels station for your return Eurostar journey to London St Pancras.
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* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement £375. Deposit 30% Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. One book per booking. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, expert(s) may be substituted, and any expert-led events may be subject to change. Expert(s) will not join you for your full trip duration unless otherwise stated. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of TS Travel ltd (ATOL bonded). Calls are made at local rates. All tours featured are operated by the partner specified, a company wholly independent of Telegraph Media Group Ltd. Please refer to the Data Protection Notice in today's Personal Column or telegraph.co.uk/privacypolicy.