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Thoroughly updated for this new third edition, Bradt's World War I Battlefields remains the only compact practical travel guide to cover both French and Belgian battlefield sites involved in one of the deadliest conflicts in human history, which changed the face of foreign policy and European geography forever. The 2014–18 centenary of the First World War was a huge catalyst for battlefield tourism, leading to a proliferation of innovative new museums, memorials, commemorative trails, statues and more – which are comprehensively covered in this update.
Co-authored by two award-winning travel writers, this lightweight and pocket-friendly guidebook is perfect for visitors. It covers all the main sites, memorials and museums of the entire Western Front alongside practical information such as travelling there and getting around, and how to book the best guided tours.
In the Belgian section of the book, chapters cover Ypres and the Ypres Salient; Poperinge, Heuvelland and Messines (Mesen); Diksmuide, Veurne and Nieuwpoort; and Mons. In the French section, as well as the Somme, battlefields in Le Nord and Lille are featured, as are those in Pas-de-Calais; Aisne; and Marne, Champagne and Verdun. Visiting well-known Somme sights – such as Thiepval, the Somme 1916 Museum, Longueval, Le Hamel and Villers-Bretonneux – is a must for many visitors. But so, too, are Arras and the information centre dedicated to the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the Battle of Fromelles Museum, the Cambrai Tank 1917 museum, the Marne 14–18 Interpretation Centre, and the Sir John Monash Centre, which tells the story of Australian soldiers' Western Front experiences in both countries.
This updated and expanded edition features new information on the valuable contribution made by Black, Indian and Caribbean soldiers. There is also refreshed, detailed advice on how to find the resting place of family members lost in battle.
For history buffs, those on battlefield tours, relatives of those who fought, school groups and students, there is no finer guidebook to visiting Great War sites in both countries than Bradt's World War I Battlefields.
List of contents
CONTENTS
Introduction
Acknowledgements
PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION
Chapter 1 Background Information
World War I timeline
Chapter 2 Practical Information
Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Battlefield tours
PART TWO BELGIUM
Chapter 3 Ypres and the Ypres Salient
Ypres (Ieper), The Ypres Salient, Zonnebeke
Chapter 4 Poperinge, Heuvelland and Messines (Mesen)
Poperinge, Heuvelland, Messines (Mesen)
Chapter 5 Diksmuide, Veurne and Nieuwpoort
Diksmuide, Veurne, Nieuwpoort
Chapter 6 Mons
Getting there and away, Tourist information, What to see and do
PART THREE FRANCE
Chapter 7 Le Nord and Lille
Lille, Seclin, Armentières, Fromelles, Cambrai, Ors, Le Quesnoy, Maubeuge/Feignies
Chapter 8 Pas-de-Calais: Arras, Lens and the Ports
Arras, Around Arras, Around Lens, Escalles, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Étaples-sur-Mer, Montreuil-sur-Mer
Chapter 9 The Somme
Battlefield tours, Amiens, Péronne, Around Péronne, Albert, Around Albert, Doullens, Cantigny
Chapter 10 Aisne
Laon, Chemin des Dames, Soissons, Saint-Quentin, Château-Thierry
Chapter 11 Marne, Champagne and Verdun
Meaux, Reims, Verdun
Appendix Further Information
Further information, Glossary
Index
About the author
By Emma Thomson and John Ruler
Summary
World War I Battlefields: A Travel Guide to the Western Front - expert tips, visitor information and itineraries for Great War sites in France and Belgium. Includes maps, routes, guided walks, battlefield tours, museums, child-friendly tours, Ypres, Poperinge, Nieuwpoort, Mons, Lille, Pas-de-Calais, Marne, The Somme, Verdun, Aisne and Champagne.
Foreword
Key Sales Points
. Among Bradt's bestselling guides of recent years
. Written by experienced, award-winning authors
. Expanded sections on the contributions made by Black, Indian and Caribbean soldiers, the unlikely roles of animals during the war and the stories of conscientious objectors
About Bradt Travel Guides
. Founded in 1974, Bradt is now the largest independent guidebook publisher in the UK with over 200 titles in print
. Serial winner of the Gold award for Best Guidebook Series in the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards
. Bradt guides are written by authors who really know their destinations. Many are resident there, or have been visiting regularly over a number of years
Additional text
'A slim volume, fitting into virtually any bag or pocket, its main achievement is the joining up of the dots along the whole Western Front. It's an ideal companion for both Western Front novices and more seasoned explorers.' Best of British
'A compact guide covering all the main museums and memorials'
France Magazine
'This slim volume is the ideal pocket book for anyone planning a visit to the battlefields.'
Good Book Guide
'Good overview of the main sites.'
Travel Which
'Extremely well-written, with some panels reading like pieces of literature rather than some dry guidebook entries'.
Engineering & Technology Magazine
'A comprehensive but easily digestible travel companion'
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