May 1940..

Day one..

After an early Eurotunnel departure for Calais we travel to our hotel near Dinant. En route, we visit a couple of locations on the Franco-Belgian border where we hear about the British Expeditionary Force’s deployment and activities during the ‘Phoney War’ period.

 

Day two..

We visit Fort Eben-Emael. This modern fort was captured in a coup de main operation by glider-borne German paratroopers on May 10-11. In the afternoon, we visit the Hannut area, scene of the first major tank battle of the war. Stops include the Cavalry Corps Museum in Orp-Jauche, the nearby French Cavalry Corps Memorial, and a couple of battlefield visits. 

 

Day three..

We visit the site of Hitler’s temporary HQ, established in Bruly-de-Pesche in June 1940. We ride to Houx where German troops used an unguarded lock and weir to cross to the west bank of the Meuse River. The nearby village of Haut-le-Wastia was the scene of heavy fighting that occurred as the bridgehead was expanded. We visit the Museum of Remembrance May 1940 in the village. Returning to our hotel, we stop in Bouvignes en route to see where the Germans established a pontoon bridge across the Meuse.

 

Day four..

We ride to Sedan, site of major German crossings of the Meuse River. We visit a French fortified house, French and German military cemeteries on a hilltop overlooking Sedan and the Meuse. We finish our day with a visit to Stonne, a village that changed hands seventeen times in fighting from 15 to 17 May.

 

Day five..

Leaving our hotel, we ride to Paradis in France, site of a massacre of British soldiers by men of the Waffen-SS. We then head to Cassell, a hilltop town that was the scene of heavy fighting during the retreat to Dunkirk. Before leaving for our channel crossing, we visit a French bunker near Cassel to hear the story of 2nd Lieutenant Roy Cresswell of the Gloucestershire Regiment.

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Prices - 

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Single rider 1 room - £895.00 pp

Rider and pillion 1 room - £1295.00 

2 Bikes 2 riders twin room - £749.00 pp