Leaving France and Flanders fields behind me today - heading for Berlin and the culmination of the tour. So today is mostly a travel day. The tour through Normandy and then the WW1 fields on the Somme, Meuse-Argonne, Verdun and Ypres salient was a tremendously rewarding experience. It was made all the richer and more personal by the emerging story around my great uncle and his exploits on some of those fields in 1917 and 1918. As the title says, I regret nothing...but when time permits here is what I would like to go back and do more on!
Two other great uncles fought in the First World War - it would be interesting to see their stories and follow in their footsteps. Sound like more work for Chris Baker at Fourteen-eighteen!
Verdun - incredible place. So much more to see down there.
Maginot Line - a series of post WW1 fortifications that were meant to deter another invasion (by the Germans) and famously did not. I drove past one the the Forts that is open to the public at certain times (I was driving by when it wasn't). Looked fascinating.
Reims - champagne capital but also right on the frontline for most of the war. Some interesting French and American battles to explore down there.
So there you have it - the beginnings of another series of tours and blogs!
See you in Berlin.
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