Follow in the footsteps of Heroes
on an In The Footsteps®
Messines Ridge Tour
Join one of our Expert guides on a tour of the Messines Ridge to follow the battle and see how it developed.
These tours can focus on: -
- An indivdual soldier's battle. We have followed in the footsteps of a number of men who
fought in the Battle of Messines - Australians, British and Irish - retracing the steps
during the battle as well as those leading up to it and where they survived afterwards
as well. These have included Private William George Dunlop who was killed during the
battle and is remembered with honour on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing.
- A specific Battalion or Division. We have followed in the footsteps of a number of
Battalions and Division that fought in the Battle of Messines - Australians, British and
Irish - retracing their steps leading up to, during and after the battle.
- The Irish perspective, following in the footsteps of the 16th (Irish) Division and 36th
(Ulster) Division as the fought side-by-side to capture the village of Wijschaete (White
Sheet).
- The New Zealand perspective, following in the footsteps of the New Zealand Division as
they capture the town of Messines, Mesen as it is called today, including Lance Corporal
Samuel Frickleton who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 7th June 1917.
We had also followed in their footsteps after the capture of Messines including during
the fighting at La Basse Ville where Corporal Leslie Wilton Andrew was awarded the
Victoria Cross for his actions on 31st July 1917.
- The Australian perspective, following in the footsteps of the Australian Divisions as they capture the area between the town of Messines and Ploegseert Wood at the southern end of the assault. This had included the actions of Captain Robert Cuthbert Grieve and Private John Carroll who were both awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 7th June 1917.
The Messines Ridge was a natural stronghold that lay to the south of Ieper and had been lost to
the Germans during the First Battle of Ypres creating a small German salient. Engineers from
both sides had been tunnelling under the Messines Ridge since 1915 and by the spring of 1917 the
British had placed 21 huge mines totalling 455 tonnes (1,000,000 lbs) of the high explosive
Ammonal. At 03:10 hrs, 7th June 1917, after perhaps the most intense preparatory bombardment of
the entire war, 19 out of 26 British mines were detonated killing an estimated 10,000 German
troops in moments. The explosions were so great that they were said to be heard as far away as
London and Dublin.
By June 1917 the Germans no longer consider it necessary to physically occupy every inch of the
ground and were more flexible with the frontline lightly held. Their defences were centred on
mutually-supporting bunkers or "pillboxes" with regiments in reserve ready to counterattack
where necessary.
For the assault on the Messines Ridge the three Corps of the British Second Army commanded by
General Herbet Charles Onslow Plumer would advance over a 2-mile frontage south of Ieper (Ypres)
between St Eloi and Mesen (Messines). The plan was for X Corps to take and hold St Eloi and
Mount Sorrel to the north, IX Corps was to assault and capture the village of Wijtschate in the
centre and II ANZAC Corps to assault and capture the village of Mesen on the British right. The
intention was to drive the Germans off the ridge seizing the enemy strong points and villages,
then consolidate and hold them.
Immediately following the detonation of the mines the British moved forward under the cover of
the full ferocity of the British Artillery. About 700 machines guns fired over the heads of the
advancing infantry into the German lines as they advanced behind the creeping barrage. The
Germans that had been in the vicinity of the largest mines had been blown to dust. In some of
the bunkers the advancing British would find dead Germans laying on the floor seemingly
unmarked. They had been killed by the pressure waves created by the explosions.
The cost of your tour
The typical cost for a 3-day / 3-night tour covering the Battle of Messines is £850.00 per
person.*
This price per person are based upon:
- Two people sharing a twin room.
- A minimum of 4 people touring. If less than 4 people travelling we will produce a specific proposal for your consideration.
- Travel in a dedicate tour vehicle driven by our expert battlefield historian / guide.
A supplement of £160.00 GBP * applies where single occupancy is required.
A deposit of 30% or £200.00 per person, whichever is the greater, is payable on
booking.
An additional supplement may apply for anniversary dates to cover any increase in the associated
costs.
Booking indicates your acceptance of our Tour Terms and Conditions.
* The costs may vary from those shown above due to the availability and selection of hotels
and other associated costs.
What your tour includes
- In-tour land travel only.
- 3-days escorted tour of the battlefields with one of our expert Battlefield Historian / Guides.
- Comprehensive touring of all the major battlefield sites, including many of the less frequently visited out-of-the-way sites.
- All museum admission fees.
- 3 nights bed and breakfast accommodation at one of our 3-star partner hotels.
- The opportunity to visit specific cemeteries and graves within tour area (as agreed prior to your tour).
- The opportunity to discuss your battlefield travel plans with our expert team.
What your tour does not include
- Lunch and Dinner.
- Snacks and Drinks.
- Personal expenses.
- Personal travel insurance.
Optional Extras
All of our Flexi-date tours can have optional extras added to them. We can, for example, add any of the following to your tour: -
- Transfer to the battlefield area.
- Ferry crossings or Eurostar from the UK.
- Accommodation the night before the tour.
- Accommodation the night night after the tour.
- Lunches.
- Full-board.
- All inclusive.
- Additional days.
Customising your Flexi-date tour
All of our Flexi-date tours are fully customisable to allow you to see the sites that are most important to you. Where changes to the standard itinerary are made there may be an additional charge to cover the associated additional costs.
Financial Protection
Your money is safe. We are members ot the TTA and all monies paid to us are held in a trust account and cannot be drawn down by us until the tour is over.
Why travel with In The Footsteps?
- We have over 16 years experience in designing and operating Private Battlefield Tours, Battlefield Studies and Staff Rides.
- Our team of battlefield historians and guides are selected for their experience, depth of knowledge, enthusiasm and ability to tell the story in an entertaining and engaging way. The majority are accredited members of the prestigious Guild of Battlefield Guides. This means they endeavour to maintain high levels of good practice commensurate with the Guild's ethos.
- We operate a full booking, planning and design service.
- Office is open 24-hours a day whilst the tour is operating.
- Combined Employers and Public Liability Insurance (a copy can be supplied upon request).
Enquire About Your Messines Ridge Tour Today
If you are interested in this tour please contact us on enquiries@inthefootsteps.com or click on the button below which will take you to our Enquiry Form. Either way, please tell us which tour you are interested in, when you would like to go and how many people there are in your party. You will receive a reply within 24 hours.
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Page last updated: 16 July 2021.