Ypres Chain of Evacuation
About this tour
Flanders in Belgium has been an important historical site.
The Royal Army Medical Corps named the plan to move casualties from the war zone to treatment ‘The Chain of Evacuation’. It was a way to find new and more effective ways of processing and treating wounded soldiers.
This strategic evacuation had four stages: First stage – Regimental Aid Post: a few meters behind the front line La Belle Alliance Regimental Aid Post was the most advanced medical station. Second stage – Essex Farm Advanced Dressing Station: a few hundred meters behind the fighting and the Regimental Aid Post was located the ADS for wounded troops. Third stage – Brandhoek Medical Dressing Station: this stage offers the students an idea of the distance between the second stage and Lijssenthoek (last stage) – nothing of the site survived!
Last stage – Lijssenthoek Casualty Clearing Station: it was opened before the battle of Ypres and the transport was difficult to Base Hospitals as the railway was far. In June 1915 the Casualty Clearing Station moved to Lijssenthoek, the set up became known as Remmy Sidings. A century ago, these developments saved the lives of countless thousands of soldiers, and many of the technologies, techniques, treatments, and therapies are still used in hospitals today.
For more information about Battlefield tours in Ypres or any other destination please email us. Why not combine a Battlefield tour with visits to Christmas markets over the Christmas season. Christmas markets can include Ypres, Brugge, Brussels, Arras, Amiens, Lille in the Ypres / Somme areas. We can offer tours further afield in Germany, Poland, or The Netherlands.
Sample Itinerary
Ypres is only one and a half hours from Calais so your first day will depend very much on your departure point and the time it takes you to get to Dover/Folkestone. Some groups may prefer the overnight ferry from Hull to Zeebrugge.
We can tailor this package to suit your needs!
What’s Included
- Chosen pick-up and drop-off point
- Executive touring coach
- Return travel on Eurotunnel or P&O Ferries (Hull to Zeebrugge optional)
- Entrance to all museums throughout the tour
- Full board accommodation for tours lasting two days or more
- UK guides throughout your tour or Museum / Tourist Board guides.
- Exclusive Teachers’ Information Booklet and Pupil Worksheets
- Personal Battlefields Tours Executive to assist with tour planning
Accommodation
We work closely with the owners of four School hotels in Ypres and a purpose-built school hotel in Albert (The Somme) which has three separate floors, all designed to accommodate youth groups. Have a look at www.thepoppies.be and www.poppiesalbert.com to check out floorplans and availability. We can also offer 3* hotel accommodation in the centre of Ypres or in Arras to suit groups with a larger budget. The ‘Peace Village’ in Messines is not just a hostel which offers a lot of outdoor and indoor activities in a secure location, they have their own restaurant, bar area, terrace, sports facilities, and conference room / disco. www.peacevillage.be
Suggestions And Ideas for Visits and Excursions
Each group will have its own special interests and curricular needs. That is why every visit can be completely tailored to you. You will find some suggestions below, but you can always call us to discuss more options.
Battlefield and History Tours recommends the following
- In Flanders Fields: This interactive museum in the centre of Ypres tells the story of the Second World War through the experiences of the soldiers involved and the human effects across the region.
- St Martin's Cathedral: Interesting architectural buildings destroyed during World War I and rebuilt in the gothic style.
- St. George's Memorial Church: St. George's Memorial Church was built to commemorate over 500,000 British and Commonwealth troops, who had died in the three battles fought for the Ypres Salient during World War I.
- Ledoux Chocolaterie: Ledoux Chocolaterie offers a fantastic traditional Belgian chocolate experience with a range of activities, workshops, taster sessions, and demonstrations. The helpful, friendly staff are happy to cater for any group's requirements and budget. A great additional activity which is fun and relaxing, and you can make your own chocolates.
- Passchendaele Museum: Situated in the Zonnebeke Chateau, the Passchendaele Museum makes an ideal starting point for a tour of the Salient battlefields. The displays chronicle the story of World War I, with a recreated bunker and trenches for students to experience without having to go out in the mud.
- Bellewaerde Theme Park: Bellewaerde Theme Park, close to Ypres, has a great mix of attractions for all ages with wild roller coasters, pirate boats, children’s rides, as well as animals and nature. Open between April and November, it is a fantastic way to end a battlefield tour.
- Ypres Christmas Market: The Ypres Christmas market and Ice Rink will once again be in the traditional Market Square, open from 23rd November to 2nd January 2019. (Closed Mondays and Tuesdays). Typical Belgian food, chocolate, and market products will be available.
Other variations on numbers and duration available plus day trips available on Request.
Experience information
Each group will have its own special interests and curricular needs. That is why every visit can be completely tailored to you. You will find some suggestions below, but you can always call us to discuss more options.
Other variations on numbers and duration available, plus day trips available on request.
