Christmas Truce

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During more than 4 years of bitter fighting one event stood out as a beacon of humanity – the Christmas Truce of 1914. When amidst the carnage, for the first time, the fighting stopped.

Each year Anglia brings this historic event to life with a unique programme centering on a re-enactment of the Truce and a series of ‘Show & Tell’ sessions all led by actors in period uniform. With each actor taking on the persona of a soldier who actually saw service on the Western Front during 1914, students will have the perfect opportunity hear directly from both Tommy Atkins and his German counterpart, to ask them questions and to handle the equipment they used.

This tour is designed not only to enhance the teaching of History at Key Stage 3 but, by exploring issues such as ‘the morality of warfare’, to support a cross-curricular approach to subjects such as Citizenship and PHSE.

With tours running annually from mid November to mid December each year there is only limited availability. So you are advised to book early to avoid disappointment.

 

Suggested Itinerary

Fully guided 3-Day Somme and Ypres
Day 1: The Outbreak of War; First and Second Battles of Ypres 1914/15
Day 2: Battle of the Somme 1916
Day 3: Battle of Messines; Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) 1917; Ludendorff Offensive 1918

No Man’s Land

ANGLIA remains the only operator able to offer the unique hands-on ‘No Man’s Land experience’. Adding this to your Great War itinerary will mean your students attend a night-time briefing on the role of a sentry and the purpose of a trench raid.

Entering a simulated trench system they will be asked to identify each sound in turn before deciding whether the movements they hear are a friendly patrol coming home or the enemy about to attack.

Themes

  • Causes of the Great War
  • The Western Front
  • The ‘actualities of war’ – the experience of soldiers on the Western Front
  • Kitchener’s Army – the Pals Battalions
  • The relationship between Officers and men
  • The development of warfare – tactics and technology in the Great War
  • The role of the Generals, in particular the Haig Debate
  • The impact of the Great War

If you are interested in booking a tour or would like further information please contact us.