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War Poets & War Literature

The experience of both World Wars provoked a huge amount of war poetry and literature. On this tour, Head Battlefield Guide Paul Reed is joined by Dr Victoria Humphreys – the author of two novels about WW2 – who will offer a fascinating insight into conflict through the eyes of poets and writers. We’ll hear the stories of Siegfried Sassoon, Robert Graves and Frank Richards, before exploring the complex life and relationships of Edward Thomas. With other highlights including Newfoundland Park, Wilfred Owen’s grave and the Battlefields of Normandy, this is an ideal tour for those looking to learn about the importance of war literature and poetry.

Tour Includes

  • 4 nights hotel with continental breakfast
  • Two Specialist Battlefield Guides
  • Convenient local joining points
Travel Options
Outbound &
Inbound Travel
Outbound
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Inbound
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  • By Air By Air
On-Tour
Experiences
  • Coach Excursions

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Itinerary

Please choose your preferred 5 day itinerary

Local departure by coach, then to our hotel in northern France where we stay for two nights.

We begin on the battlefields of the Great War where we examine the Battle of the Somme. At Mametz and High Wood we bring together the stories of three poets and writers to bring the battle into sharp focus; Siegfried Sassoon who took part in the opening phase of the battle; Robert Graves who was wounded at High Wood; and Frank Richards, a working-class miner who wrote the classic ‘Old Soldiers Never Die’. We then examine some of the lesser-known writers and poets, and how the losses in the war affected the women left behind. In the afternoon we travel to Ors to look at the battlefield where one of the most iconic war poets, Wilfred Owen, fought. We see the canal where he died, walk the battlefield and visit his grave.

Includes Breakfast

Mametz Wood

Key Visits

Mametz Wood High Wood Sambre Canal at Ors Wilfred Owen's grave at Ors

This morning we return to the First World War Battlefields, examining the complex life and relationships of poet and nature writer Edward Thomas, seeing his grave at Agny. We then examine the depiction of trench warfare in the pages of Great War literature via the preserved trenches at the Newfoundland Park on the Somme. After lunch we travel to Normandy, and move on to the subject of writing about the Second World War. At Ranville War Cemetery we visit the grave of John Jarmain – one of the WW2 war poets – and look at how the story of the Normandy campaign was depicted in poetry. We then continue to our hotel in Normandy for two nights.

Includes Breakfast

Ranville War Cemetery

Key Visits

Ranville War Cemetery Trenches in Newfoundland Park Agny Military Cemetery Edward Thomas grave at Agny

In Normandy, we uncover the details of the battles beyond D-Day in the Bocage Hedgerows, following the experiences of war poet Keith Douglas, visiting his grave at Tilly War Cemetery, and seeing the battlefield where he fought. We also examine some of the lesser-known soldier-authors, and how war trauma haunted many writers. Our afternoon is spent looking at the American involvement in Normandy through the writing of American authors who were there, and we’ll also hear more about the depiction of the French Resistance in fiction. Rounding the tour off at Bayeux War Cemetery, we look at how war continues to inspire writers and poets today.

Includes Breakfast

Normandy French Resistance Memorial

Key Visits

Bayeux War Cemetery Omaha Beach Tilly War Cemetery Normandy French Resistance Memorial

Return home.

Includes Breakfast

Accommodation

You will stay for two-nights at the Holiday Inn Express Arras or similar then two-nights at the Ibis Styles Ouistreham, close to the centre of town and Sword Beach.

Travel Options

When it comes to getting you to your destination, Leger Holidays makes it easy with a selection of travel options to choose from.

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