In 1939 the world was plunged into a war that would include just about every nation on the planet. The conflict of what was to become known as World War Two was to change the geopolitical structure of the entire planet. It would see the true birth of what the famous 19th century Prussian military strategist Carl von Clausewitz would call ‘Total War’. It would produce horror,heroes and villains – and during its course would see some of the biggest battles of history occur on several continents.
the continued fascination with both the conflict and its eventual results has continued to fuel the popularity of World War Two battlefield tours. Specialised tour operators continue to offer services to the hundreds of people who have an interest in history and armed conflict.
Some of the most popular of these holidays are to the battlefields of Europe where many of the pivotal battles of the War took place. There are numerous options for those who want to delve deeply into the fateful days when battles took place.
The holidays that are in demand cover a wide variety of subject matter. Some of the most popular cover the events of D-Day when ‘Operation Overlord’ took place. This was the Allied push into Europe when those landing on the beaches of Normandy encountered terrific German fire. The tales of individual bravery and the strategy behind the plan are still to this day the stuff of legend. Today,tours are hosted by experts in the field of military history. This was the biggest amphibious invasion in human history,backed by paratroopers dropped far behind enemy lines. The tours cover various aspects – from the experiences of individual soldiers who came face to face with the horrors of modern warfare – to the logistics,planning and weapons that were brought to bear to liberate Europe. It remains a fascinating exploration of just how war affects each and every person that it touches.
There are other tours which follow the path taken by American and Allied troops after the beaches had been taken,where they faced some of the most savage fighting of the entire war (through the Bocage) as they pushed onwards towards Germany.
There are numerous other European World War Two Battlefield tours that provide those interested in the War an in-depth insight into the various forces that were involved in the conflict and the battlefields where they faced off against each other. These include tours to the sites on the Eastern Front where the savage defense of Moscow took place as well as the siege of Stalingrad,all of which led to the eventual retreat of the German forces.
There are still other World War Two Battlefield tours that focus on the conflict in the Mediterranean,including the battle for Crete,still the only time that a target of such strategic importance was seized by airborne forces alone.
Still other tour options include those to the countries where the battle against Japanese forces took place. The Japanese capture of Singapore,Malaysia and Burma saw savage fighting with the British being driven out of this Southeast Asian area. It is a tour that highlights a fight against insurmountable odds – and how the battles changed the course of history.
The sheer number of battlefield tours that are available is a testament to just how global the conflict of the Second World War was. They give an insight into human nature,politics and the horrors of war. For anyone interested in history,a tour of this type is something well worth considering.
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