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Join the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and author and historian Alex Kershaw for a once-in-a-lifetime “Last Battles Tour" of The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany
September 16-23, 2024
Space is limited. Inquire now!
Contact Us!
To mark the eightieth anniversary of Operation Market Garden – the subject of the classic film, A Bridge Too Far – and of other last great battles on the Western Front, Friends of the National WWII Memorial has arranged a unique, five-star journey to Europe this fall of 2024.
Over a week, we’ll sample the finest local cuisine and hospitality and visit the key battlefields in The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany where the Allies defeated Hitler’s forces in some of the deadliest and most heroic combat of the war.
Over the course of three days, guests embark on a commemorative journey through Holland, starting in Eindhoven to honor the 80th anniversary of Operation Market Garden. The trip begins with a welcome gathering and briefing on the operation, adjusting for anniversary events. Day two celebrates the heroism of the 101st Airborne Division, with visits to significant WWII sites including the drop-zones at Son en Breughel and Paulushoef, memorials to Medal of Honor recipients, and the historic Waal River Crossing in Nijmegen.
The journey culminates on day three with exploration of key locations related to the British 1st Airborne Division's valor in Arnhem, including the John Frost Bridge and the Airborne Hartenstein Museum, ending with a special ceremony and torch-lit parade in Eindhoven to commemorate the liberation of Holland and pay tribute to the sacrifices made during one of the most ambitious military operations of the Second World War.
On the fourth day of the tour, September 19, 2024, participants visit the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margaten to honor over 8000 US service members, followed by a visit to the Hürtgen Forest, the site of the longest single battle fought by the US Army. The day concludes in Luxembourg City, setting the stage for exploring the Ardennes.
The fifth day focuses on the Battle of the Bulge, with visits to the Mardasson Memorial, the Bois Jacques foxholes of the Band of Brothers, and key sites in Bastogne, highlighting the heroics of the Screaming Eagles and the 4th Armored Division.
The sixth day is dedicated to General George S. Patton, with a visit to his grave at the Luxembourg American Cemetery, the Patton Monument, and the Patton Memorial Museum in Ettelbrûck, enriched by insights from the tour leader Alex Kershaw's new book on Patton's role in the Battle of the Bulge.
On the seventh day, the tour moves toward Germany, starting with a visit to the battlefield in Lanzareth, highlighted in Kershaw's book "The Longest Winter," where the most decorated US platoon of WWII fought. The journey continues to Remagen, where participants visit the site near the Ludendorff Bridge, famously captured intact by the US 9th Armored Division in March 1945, a pivotal moment leading to the downfall of Nazi Germany. The day concludes in Frankfurt with a celebratory farewell dinner, marking the Allies' victory in the last great battles of WWII in Europe.
The following day, after breakfast, participants bid farewell to their fellow travelers, concluding the historical tour and proceeding with their onward journey or return to the United States.
This exciting trip includes hotel accommodations at 5-star hotels, three meals daily, sightseeing with author and historian Alex Kershaw, all museum entry fees, and private transfers on tours.
Space is limited. Inquire Now!
Contact Us!
