Battle of the Bulge
Map Unavailable

Date/Time
Date(s) - 24/06/2017 - 27/06/2017
12:00 am

Categories


WATCH ON THE RHINE: DEFEATING HITLER IN THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE TOUR

JUNE 24-27, 2017

By December 1944, the Allies were on the gates of Hitler’s Reich on both the eastern and western fronts. The harsh early winter weather and stiff German defenses had slowed the advance but ultimate victory seemed certain. At that moment, the Fuhrer unleashed his largest offensive in the west. Three powerful armies crashed through the Ardennes Forest in Belgium and Luxembourg and threatened to split the Americans and their British allies. The ensuing month-long campaign, fought in desperate circumstances, turned a challenge into an opportunity, and an opportunity into a triumph.

This Essential History Expeditions WWII Battle of the Bulge in Ardennes tour will visit iconic sites in the (today) beautiful rugged terrain of the Ardennes, from the Losheim Gap to St Vith, from Elsenborn Ridge to the American paratroopers’ heroic stand at the pivotal crossroads at Bastogne to Patton’s gravesite among his soldiers and many others. Spectacular natural vistas, quaint towns and villages, fields and forests among the mountains all add to the journey. The Battle of the Bulge takes its place in the pantheon of great American battles because of the critical nature of the objectives, the incredibly demanding physical circumstances, the tough fighting enemy and the unstinting response to all of these from the GIs of the Greatest Generation.

For those travelling to the Battle of the Bulge tour the Belgian Ardennes from the Normandy D-Day tour, we will depart by bus on Friday, June 23rd, following the coastal route with a stop at Agincourt in the Pas de Calais to commemorate the 602nd anniversary of that famed battle where Henry V proclaimed his love for his ‘Band of Brothers.’

Battle of the Bulge tour

ACTIVITIES & HIGHLIGHTS

American Cemetery Luxembourg WWII
American Cemetery Luxembourg Patton Marker

Saturday, June 24th

  • Welcome, Overview of the WWII Battle of the Bulge in Ardennes Tour, Social Hour
  • Dinner

Sunday, June 25th

  • Breakfast
  • Northern Shoulder of the Battle of the Bulge
    • Initial fights at Losheim & Lanzerath where the US reconnaissance units identified and slowed the German advance
    • Elsenborn Ridge where the Americans made their determined stand, blunted the Nazi attack and forced it south and westward
    • Halting Peiper at La Gleize where the German armor and its foremost practitioner were defeated and driven back – there would be no breakthrough!
    • Numerous stops on the way at critical junctures
  • Social Hour
  • Dinner

Monday, June 26th

  • Breakfast
  • Bastogne and Southern Shoulder of the Battle of the Bulge
    • We will visit numerous sites around the key crossroads town of Bastogne, where the 101st Airborne and elements from other units made their stand while encircled by powerful German forces
    • The beautiful and inspiring Mardasson Memorial to all the American units that fought throughout the Bulge
    • Battle of the Bulge Museum with in-depth examination of the battle plans and actions throughout the campaign, including several live-action exhibits.
    • Band of Brothers (Easy Company) at Jack’s Woods on the north side of the town, where the airborne soldiers defeated several attacks
    • WWII Battle of the Bulge in Ardennes tour ends; departure from Luxembourg City or travel to Brussels
    • Recogne German Cemetery
  • Social Hour
  • Dinner

Tuesday, June 27th

  • Breakfast
  • Raising the siege of Bastogne at various locations, as the Patton’s Third Army, led by Creighton Abrams’ tanks, struck north into the German flank
  • Patton breaks through at Assenois and links-up with the embattled 101st
  • Luxembourg American Cemetery, including General George Patton’s Gravesite
  • Lunch
  • WWII Battle of the Bulge in Ardennes tour ends; departure from Luxembourg City
Battle of the Bulge tours

THIS EXPEDITION INCLUDES

  • Three days of in-depth guided WWII history tours (four days total)
  • Accommodations for three nights
  • All meals
  • All entrance fees
  • Transportation
American Cemetery Luxembourg WWII

READY TO DISCOVER HISTORY?

  • Price per person: $2,350 for four nights
  • Down payment: $1,000 per guest due upon registration
  • Does not include individual activities at Spa; EHE will make reservations for activities
  • Previous guests on EHE tours (including Normandy 2017) receive a 10 percent discount
  • Career military and educators receive a 10 percent discount
  • Please see Terms and Conditions for payment schedule and cancellation policy
Battle of the Bulge 24/06/2017 - 27/06/2017 12:00 am Battle of the Bulge Battle of the Bulge By December 1944, the Allies were on the gates of Hitler’s Reich on both the eastern and western fronts. The harsh early winter weather and stiff German defenses had slowed the advance but ultimate victory seemed certain... Mission Critical Systems 24-06-2017T00:00 24-06-2017T00:00 Active Active 24-06-2017 Active $0.00 24-06-2017
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news & updates about Essential History Expeditions

You have Successfully Subscribed!