Day 10 The Ardennes This is where Hitler put everything he had into his only counter-attack. On December 16, 1944, Lt. Lyle Bouck was one of the first people to see the German columns coming on. Well make our first stop in the Ardennes at Lanzereth, the town where Bouck and a platoon of 19 men held off a full strength German SS Battalion for an entire day. Well visit the American positions and hear their story, a breathtaking tale of heroism. On December 17, 1944, the second day of the offensive, the Germans had several breakthroughs and many Americans surrendered near the town of Malmedy. Outside the town, the leading SS Panzer Division lined up about 150 GIs and fired at them point blank. Less than half escaped alive. We will view the site of the massacre and the American Memorial at Malmedy. From there, it is a beautiful drive through the Ardennes Mountains to our evening lodging. Day 11 Luxembourg Well drive to Bastogne where the Americans rallied and stopped the German attack. Here well view the route of the initial American retreat and the place where the 101st Airborne and elements of the 10th Armored held off fifteen German divisions for six days. Our historian will take us through the sites in the picturesque town. Well also see the Memorial to the troops and the Battle of the Bulge Museum nearby. After our visit, its a short ride to Luxembourg and Haam where well see the American cemetery and General George Pattons grave. He rests among his men in a cemetery as beautiful and moving in its own way as the one at Normandy. Day 12 Frankfurt Well drive to the Siegfried Line to see whats left of the German communication trenches, the pillboxes and dragons teeth, gun pits and foxholes that American GIs fought so hard to take in late 1944. Then its on to Frankfurt where well enjoy a free afternoon in the city prior to a festive dinner. At this last gathering, our historian will speak on the meaning of World War II. Then well bid farewell after an enriching campaign into history. Day 13
Early morning departure to the Frankfurt International Airport for flights back to the United States. For those continuing on to the optional post tour to Berchtesgaden remain on the bus and continue their historic journey....
D-Day to the Rhine
Optional Post Tour to Berchtesgaden
Day 1 Berchtesgaden
After the rest of the tour group is dropped off at the Frankfurt International Airport, we will continue our journey southeast towards Munich and begin our exploration of the final days of Hitler’s reign.
We will visit Dachau, site of some of the most nefarious acts of and against humankind during the war, as we travel south through Bavaria. Constructed in a disused gunpowder factory, Dachau was the first concentration-style camp after which all subsequent concentration camps were modeled. In total, over 200,000 prisoners from more than 30 countries were housed in Dachau, with at least 30,000 registered prisoners are believed to have died in the camp and it subcamps: notable Jews, resistance fighters, clergymen, politicians, communists, writers, artists and royalty. The second camp to be liberated by British or American forces, Dachau was one of the first places in where the west was exposed to Nazi brutality.
Day 2 Berchtesgaden
The morning begins with a city tour of Berchtesgaden and Obersalzberg. Our guide will give us an overview of Hitler’s life, history of Obersalzberg’s takeover by the Nazi party, and Martin Bormann’s transformation of the mountain into Hitler’s Southern Headquarters. We will tour a portion of the nearly 4 mile underground bunker network under Obersalzberg, built as an air raid shelter, war headquarters and last refuge for Nazi leaders Hitler, Göring and Bormann.
After our city tour, we will head to Hitler’s Alpine retreat and visit the Eagle’s Nest, built as a 50th birthday present to him from the Nazi party, as well as the remains of the vast Nazi Party complex. Perched at 6017 feet, the Eagle’s Nest and the road network leading to it were considered feats of engineering as they were completed in only 13 months time in 1937-38.
Day 3 Berchtesgaden
Today is a free day. Participants are free to enjoy the day as they please.
You may choose to explore the charming town of Berchtesgaden. It is small
enough so that the entire town is walkable.
Another option would be to take the hour train or bus ride to Salzburg,
Austria. This city is well known as Mozart’s birthplace and home. In Salzburg and
its environs, the movie The Sound of Music was filmed. The Old City
features buildings from the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque
periods as well as elegant classical burghers’ houses.
Most of the Old City is a pedestrian zone. You can walk around and enjoy the
city’s many museums, bustling markets (where they sell everything from
local delicacies to classic souvenirs). You will also see many Baroque
churches that gave the city the reputation “German Rome.”
Day 4 Flights Home
We have an early morning departure from our hotel in Berchtesgaden for the Munich International Airport.
(Please make sure that your return flight depart Munich A/P after 10:00am)
Please note that a minimum number of participants are required to run this post tour.
Recommended Reading: Citizen Soldiers Stephen E. Ambrose D-Day: June 6, 1944 Stephen E. Ambrose Voices of D-Day Ronald Drez & Stephen E. Ambrose
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