People visit battlefields for many reasons, ranging from historical interest to paying respects to those who fought, suffered and, all too often, died there. For military personnel, however, there is an additional dimension. Throughout history, armies, navies and air forces have faced the problem of how, during training, to bring home to their personnel the realities of war. By visiting a battlefield, by learning and analysing what happened there and why, a whole new dimension can be brought to training.
Whether it is young soldiers, sailors and airmen learning more about their core values, career courses studying tactics or logistics at any level or senior personnel relating historical lessons to current operations, there are, short of war itself, few effective substitutes to studying at the site of the event.
Anglia is a specialist battlefield tour company with a considerable degree of expertise and experience in taking military personnel on tours of the world's battlefields. All our tours are bespoke. The training aim and the content of the itinerary are what drives the admin package. We understand that all tours need to be properly focused, participative and linked to current operations.
At Anglia we are very conscious that you do not necessarily want the tour company to be obtrusive but to act mostly as a facilitator, to step in with information when it is required and most importantly, to step back when it is not. Finding just the right touch requires us to work closely with the unit prior to the tour to ensure that we deliver exactly what you need.
We allocate Subject Matter Experts (SME) early in the process to make sure we start off on the right foot and have access to SMEs of considerable calibre. We have over 50 of them and they include several published authors, some serving officers and many who are eminent in their field.
Many of them are badged members of the Guild of Battlefield Guides.
'The services of Anglia Tours in the form of Maj (Retd) Tim Saunders MBE were outstanding. Through him we developed our understanding of this campaign significantly. A retired officer, he was able to relate to the contemporary operating environment. His style, passion and ability to interact with us all proved invaluable in enabling participants to immerse themselves in the Study. His input from preparation to execution cannot be commended highly enough. I would recommend both him and Anglia to anyone.'
- Major James Rhodes, 10 The Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment.
In essence we are able to assist with or provide the following:
- Travel expertise. We will maximise the use of time and resources available to you.
- There will be no need for a unit recce if using Anglia SMEs.
- The best locations for accommodation to minimise the time spent travelling to and from stands.
- We have established coach providers in all the countries we visit.
- Our longstanding relationships with suppliers enable us to negotiate favourable rates and option dates.
- Our offer price is fixed to a decision date giving you a fixed budget on which to plan which won't change unless the requirement changes.
- We will assist with the applications in principle and detail and provide a full breakdown of costs.
- We provide a 24 hr assistance whilst you are out on tour.
- Our Air Travel Organisers' Licence (ATOL) provides financial cover for packages by air.
- We are happy to provide a complete package or simply one or two elements as a 'flexible facilitator'.
- Access to a wide range of SMEs.
by Lieutenant-General Jonathon Riley CB DSO PhD MA
Director General and Master of the Royal Armouries
Tourism & Leisure Show 2012
07-Jan-12 11:48
The start of a new year is the perfect time for trying something new. So on 23rd February 2012, for the first time, Anglia, will be exhibiting at the Tourism & Leisure Show 2012. Read more >
I based my initial costing on a PXR produced by a unit who went on a similar sized tour, to approximately the same place but when I received Anglia’s quote this came in at £6K less - a saving of £275 per head. HQ Land indicated that in the current financial climate this made all the difference in gaining authority for the staff ride.
- Artillery unit PXR
You are busy. We have serving and recently retired officers, many psc, who can assist with your planning. If you tell us what you want to achieve and the lessons you wish to draw out from your study or staff ride we can suggest a variety of operations and locations that would fit both your aims and your budget.
We are also very happy to work with your SMEs and simply provide a package to support the tour administratively.
'The use of a battlefield tour company played a key part in accurately predicting costs and where possible driving them down. This was fundamental to allowing such a successful BS to take place in the current financial climate.'
Anglia Tours Ltd has a very comprehensive Safety Management System (SMS) which is independently audited every year. We can provide a full health and safety risk assessment specific to your tour if you require one.
We regularly take cadet detachments on tour and have several guides with the relevant cadet experience. Give us a call or email us to see what we can do for you.
We are the company of choice for the DTUS units and have taken many OTCs on tour over the years.
If you would like further information please contact us either by phone on 01245 231735 or email groups@angliatours.co.uk
