Meuse-Argonne and St. Mihiel Tour

23 – 28 September 2027 (6 days / 5 nights)

 

Get knee deep into history following the American Expeditionary Forces in the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne Offensives of late 1918. On 24 July 1918 General Pershing issued orders announcing the formation of the First American Army, effective 10 August; and in early August Generals Pershing and Foch agreed that this army should eliminate the St. Mihiel Salient. The German Supreme Command had already planned a retreat from the salient to a more defensive position, and the first German troops had started moving when the offensive began.

The rapid success of the St. Mihiel Offensive, lasting only from 12 – 16 September 1918, would give a shot in the arm to America’s coalition partners and make the A.E.F. over-confident.

In late 1918 Foch ordered Allied attacks in parallel all along the Western Front to give the German Army the deathblow. The Meuse-Argonne Offensive began on 26 September, but it would not go as smoothly as the previous assault. Green troops and leaders would suffer severe casualties in the face of a skilled adversary fighting for survival on terrain that favored the defender.

Briefings during this tour will focus on the complexities of coalition war-making in late 1918, advances made by Allies on other fronts, General Pershing and other key A.E.F. leaders, and a comparison of U.S. and German casualties.

This tour is timed to coincide with the 109^th Anniversary of the start of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive.

 

 

Schedule: (Subject to Modification)

Pick-up and return point for this tour will be CDG Airport. A specific meeting point will be provided later. Participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from the meeting point. Participants with their own vehicles can arrange to meet us at an alternate location.

 

Day 1, Thursday, 23 September: Pick-up at CDG at 12:00pm. Visiting select sites in the St. Mihiel Salient, including the St. Mihiel American Memorial, with a focus on the 26^th and 1^st Division assaults. We will visit an altarpiece attributed to 16^th Century French Sculptor Ligier Richier in Hattonchâtel. Introductory dinner that evening. Hotel du Lac de Madine, Heudicourt.

Day 2, Friday, 24 September: St. Mihiel Salient day 2. Visiting select sites on the southern flank of the salient, including the St. Mihiel American Cemetery. Hotel Lac de Madine, Heudicourt.

Day 3, Saturday, 25 September: Meuse-Argonne day 1. Focus on III Corps and the East Bank of the Meuse. Walks will include the destroyed village of Forges, Bois de Consenvoye and areas around Molleville Farm. Hotel in Verdun TBD.

Day 4, Sunday, 26 September: Meuse-Argonne day 2 and the 109^th anniversary of the start of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Focus on V Corps operations, including the Meuse-Argonne American Memorial at Montfaucon. Walks will include the (German) Wiesenschlenkenstellung, Montfaucon and Nantillois to the Hindenburg Line. We will also visit the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery on this anniversary date. Hotel in Verdun TBD.

Day 5, Monday, 27 September: Meuse-Argonne day 3. Focus on I Corps, including the Lost Battalion Pocket, Le Chêne Tondu and Vauquois Hill. Hotel in Verdun TBD.

Day 6, Tuesday, 28 September: Meuse-Argonne day 4. Continuation of I Corps positions. In the early afternoon we will depart for CDG. We expect to arrive at CDG around 17h00.

 

 

Tour Overview:

Tour Price (based on double occupancy)                    $3,450

Single Room Supplement                                           $412

 

Tour Price Includes*

• TWO military historian guides who understand both sides of the story and who speak multiple languages and understand European culture
  • Local guides at specific sites as needed
• 3-Star accommodations, typically in European family-owned hotel / restaurants
• Transportation typically in comfortable 9-person people movers with A/C or in cars
• Almost all meals, except those specified as “on your own” in the itinerary
• Water, soda and snacks available in the van
• Cultural outings (calvados tasting, church tour, etc.) and shopping time on trips longer than a few days
• Admission fees to all sites

 

Tour Price Excludes*

• Transportation to and from the starting point and lodging and transportation before or after the tour’s start and end times; for example, the cost of a hotel night for participants who choose to arrive early.
• Dinner drinks
• Dinners or lunches specifically excluded in the tour brochure
• Souvenirs and gifts

 

*See KDIH’s 2027 Terms and Conditions for full details.

 

 

Download our Brochure and Terms and Conditions

Meuse-Argonne and St. Mihiel Tour Brochure 2027 TNR12 FINAL

2027 Terms and Conditions FINAL

 

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