TLDR;
This presentation introduces a tour of Britain focusing on the historical significance of World War II sites, particularly those related to the Battle of Britain and Bomber Command. The tour aims to provide a deep understanding of the war through the stories of people involved, including Canadian airmen and ground crews. The journey includes visits to museums, memorials, and historical locations, enhanced by expert insights and personal stories from participants.
- The tour emphasizes the human element of the war, encouraging participants to share their own family connections and stories.
- It covers key sites related to the Battle of Britain, Bomber Command, and code-breaking efforts at Bletchley Park.
- The itinerary includes unique experiences such as attending the Duxford Air Show and staying at the Petwood Hotel, once a haven for Dam Busters officers.
Introduction [0:03]
Leah Miller introduces Ted Baris and his wife Jane mcol, along with Ian Howen and Melody, who will be assisting with the tour management. Ted emphasizes that the tour aims to provide a sense of the roots of the stories by way of the people. He also mentions the significance of the Canadian flag prior to 1964, under which Canadians fought and served. The tour dates align with the period leading up to the anniversary of the Battle of Britain, with the climax on September 15th, 1940.
Ted Baris Background [3:45]
Ted shares his background, mentioning his recent book, "Battle of Britain: Canadian Airmen in Their Finest Hour," which serves as an introduction to the stories and locations the tour will visit. He explains that the tour is a combination of Ian's knowledge of bomber command and American base history, combined with his knowledge of the Dam Busters and the Battle of Britain. The tour will begin with a gathering at Pearson Airport for those who won't be making their own way to Britain.
Day 1: RAF Hendon Museum and Welcome Supper [5:27]
The tour starts with an overnight flight to London Heathrow, arriving on Monday morning. The first stop is the RAF Hendon Museum, featuring six hangers full of aircraft from the earliest days of flight through World War II. Participants can explore the museum at their own pace to recover from jet lag. The day concludes with a welcome supper in London, providing an opportunity for the group to meet, relax, and share stories about the significance of the trip. Ted encourages participants to share any family connections or stories related to the Battle of Britain or Bomber Command.
Day 2: London Blitz Tour and Churchill War Rooms [8:06]
The second day involves a tour around London, including sites that survived or were repaired after the Blitz. The tour includes a visit to St Clement Dan's Church, which contains wartime memorabilia, and passes by the Tower of London and HMS Belfast. A key stop is the Cabinet War Rooms, now expanded into the Churchill Museum, offering insights into Churchill's life, legacy, and wartime leadership. The tour also includes a visit to the Bomber Command Memorial near Buckingham Palace, constructed with alloy from destroyed bomber aircraft, and the Battle of Britain Memorial along the Westminster embankment, which lists the names of air crew and ground crew who participated in the Battle of Britain.
Day 3: Battle of Britain Bunker [13:17]
Day three features a visit to the Battle of Britain Bunker in Uxbridge, a suburb of London. This bunker was where the RAF monitored inbound German squadrons and scrambled fighter squadrons to meet them. The group will hear the story of John Kent, a Canadian who served with a Polish squadron, and learn about the bond between Polish and Canadian airmen during the Battle of Britain from woik Deluga of the Polish Institute and Sikorski museum in London.
Day 4: Biggin Hill, Tangmere and Hastings [16:39]
On Wednesday, the tour moves to the South Coast to visit Biggin Hill and Tangmere, legendary Battle of Britain stations preserved with the help of volunteers. Participants will learn about the preservation of aircraft, artifacts, and air crew stories. On the way to Hastings, there will be a short stop related to "Foyle's War," a TV series set during World War II.
Day 5: Hellfire Corner and Dover Castle [18:16]
Day five takes the group to "Hellfire Corner" in Kent, the intended landing area for Hitler's Operation Sea Lion. The tour includes a visit to Dover Castle, the headquarters for Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of troops from Dunkirk. Participants will learn about the strategic importance of the area during the Battle of Britain and see the Hawkin Museum, which features artifacts from over 600 aircraft downed over the Kent coastline. The day concludes with a visit to the Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel Le Fern.
Day 6: Thorp Abbotts, Cambridge and Newmarket [23:56]
The tour heads inland to Norfolk County to visit Thorp Abbotts, home of the 100th United States Army Air Force Bomb Group, also known as the "Bloody Hundredth," made famous by the miniseries "Masters of the Air." The group will see the control tower and replica mess area. A visit to the American cemetery at Madingley near Cambridge is also planned. The tour will also include a visit to Newmarket, with the reason for the visit kept as a surprise.
Day 7: Duxford Air Show [28:35]
Day seven features a visit to Duxford for an air show commemorating the 85th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain. The show will include various aircraft, from fighters to bombers. Duxford was also a base for Douglas B and the filming location for the "Battle of Britain" movie.
Day 8: Lincolnshire and Bomber Command [30:52]
The tour moves to Lincolnshire to explore Bomber Command, particularly the Canadian squadrons of Six Group. The group will visit the International Bomber Command Center, which has a large digital database and holographic exhibits. The center also features a garden with a spire and walls listing the names of air crew who died in operations.
Day 9: Derwent Dam and John Gillespie Magee [43:37]
The group will visit the Derwent Dam, where the Dam Busters practiced for their raids, and a small pub in the area for lunch. The tour includes a visit to the grave of John Gillespie Magee, the author of the poem "High Flight," in a small cemetery.
Day 10: Bletchley Park and Runnymede Memorial [45:03]
On the last day, the tour heads back south, stopping at Bletchley Park, where messages on the Enigma machine were decoded. Participants will see the bomb and Colossus, the first programmable computer. The final stop is the Runnymede Memorial, which lists the names of Air Force crew losses with no known graves. The tour concludes with a farewell dinner in the London area.
Tour Details and Inclusions [51:15]
The tour inclusions are Ted Baris and Ian Cen as hosts, Plaza premium Lounge passes at Pearson Airport, roundtrip direct flights, 10 nights of accommodations, executive coach, entrance fees, taxes, and gratuities. Tickets for the B Britain Air Show at Duxford are secured. The inclusive cost is $6895 per person based on double occupancy, with a single supplement of $1600. A registration form will be provided for those interested.