The 1914-18 war started a hundred years ago this year, and an increasing number of visitors want to learn more about its tragic history.
One of the easiest ways to visit the battlefields and pay your respects to the fallen is to take a specialist rail trip. Here is a look at what you could learn about the Somme when visiting the battlefield by train.
The Cemeteries of World War I
Some people take one of these rail tours to discover more about their family history. Others are just fascinated by war and want to see for themselves the events that took place in Belgium and North France 100 years ago.
Sometimes these visits can be overwhelming. Essex Farm, just outside Ypres, is the resting place for 1,199 soldiers. If you choose to take an organised trip to this and other cemeteries, an experienced guide will accompany you so you’ll be able to share your emotions with fellow passengers.
The Somme Battlefields
For years the words ‘the battlefields of the Somme’ were identified as some of the most vicious and brutal slaughter of human life in the 20th century. This site in Northern France is where some 420,000 British soldiers were among the many casualties.
The battles lasted a lengthy period of time but the combined forces only advanced a futile five miles during their time there. You’ll still be able to see some remnants of these battles at the Lochnagar Crater.
Relaxation in between remembering the battles of World War 1
If you do decide to take this type of trip, it’s important to plan some leisure time in between visiting the cemeteries, the museums and other memories of the Flanders Battlefields.
The beautiful French town of Arras is close to the Somme and if you spend a day wandering around this beautiful city, you’ll find that your spirits should be lifted, so you’ll be able to absorb more fascinating early 20th century history.
Arras was the site of a battle in 1917 and famous for the deployment of the Royal Flying Corps.
Remembering the fallen at the Menin Gate
An ideal place to spend some time in quiet contemplation about the horrors of war is the Menin Gate, close to the Ypres battlefield, in Belgium. The Last Post is played daily at 8pm and all traffic comes to a halt.
You can read the names of the missing soldiers on the gate itself, remembering that while many soldiers passed through this area on their way to the front, sadly, far fewer returned on their way home.
Sources:
http://www.ww1battlefields.co.uk/flanders/essexfarm.html
http://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/91800/YPRES%20%28MENIN%20GATE%29%20MEMORIAL
http://www.greatrail.com/tours/arras-the-somme-battlefields.aspx#RSB4
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwone/battle_somme.shtml
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