Operation Overlord Battle of Normandy
4th-7th June

• NEW TOUR THIS YEAR
• Accompanied by Peter and TJ Linzy, MSL tour guides for the basic tour
• No high mileages
• General interest tour
• Ideal for riders with an interest in WW2

D-Day remains the largest seaborne invasion in history, involving nearly 3 million troops. There have been many books and films about the invasion. The most famous movies being Saving Private Ryan, Band of Brothers. With the 65th Anniversary of the D-Day still fresh in our minds, we thought it appropriate that we include a visit to this region of France that holds so many memories for so many.
The planning and execution of the amphibious operation has been described as the greatest operational endeavour ever conducted. The battle began months before the invasion when allied bombers began to pound the Normandy coast to destroy transportation links and disrupt the German army’s build up of their military strength. Special operations teams worked with the French Resistance to prep the battle area. On the day, three airborne landings accompanied amphibious assaults on five different beaches and involved six nations’ armies.
In command of the invasion, General Eisenhower faced the storm of a heavily fortified coastline against an enemy whose weapons and tank superiority, under the command of General Rommel, exceeded those of the allied invasion forces. Combat of a different type occupied Eisenhower in London. Known as a great diplomat as well as a General, Eisenhower had to integrate and fend off the personalities of Montgomery, Churchill, Roosevelt, and Patton in the build up to the invasion.
On the German side, an army stretched thin by five years of total war was still dangerous, especially in the places where the ground provided good defensive positions. Rommel had spent untold tons of concrete re-enforcing the coastal fortresses. Some of the most famous German commanders fought in the battle. Had not Hitler micro-managed the tank reserves, the Germans might well have thrown the Allies back into the sea.
The basic tour of the area will be conducted by Peter and will involve ‘ a self guided go it alone’ program using supplied tourist information. For an additional £50 per person (£75 with pillion) over the weekend, T J Linzy, aka the Battlefield Biker, will lead a more detailed tour to the most critical points of the battle. Special emphasis will be paid to Pegasus Bridge, the Mulberry harbour, Juno Beach, Omaha beach, Pointe du Hoc, and the airborne landings. TJ will give detailed talks about the planning, execution, personalities, and special heroics of the day.

What’s included?
• Return cross channel ferry ticket Portsmouth Caen.
Departs Portsmouth 08.15 Arrives Caen 15.00hrs.
Return Caen 16.30 Arrives Portsmouth 21.15hrs.
• Three nights B & B hotel accommodation.
Not included
• Any admission fees to museums, exhibitions and parking tickets, historical guides, etc.

Price:
Two people, one bike, shared room – £315 each.
One person, one bike, shared room – £375.
One person, one bike, single room – £495.
Deposit £95 per person.

This tour will end at breakfast on the 7th; and ferry ticket dated 7th
Brittany Ferries operate a fluid pricing policy and these prices are likely to increase closer to the date of departure.

What they say about us…
Thank you for a wonderful Corsican tour I thought it was the best tour I had been on and all the others have been good. Chris