Italy battlefields trip in October 2007

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HISTORY TRIP TO THE NORMANDY BATTLEFIELDS - OCTOBER 2005

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Reflections by students

At the moment all I can really think about is the final cemetery ( Bayeux CWGC War Cemetery ) that we visited on the trip. I don't recall really ever getting emotionally engaged on a history trip before, not even in other cemeteries, but there was something about this one specifically that almost made me cry. Several of my friends asked if I was upset, to which I replied 'I'm all right', but in truth I was more moved by the deeply emotional words engraved upon each gravestone than probably I have ever been by displays of human sentiment. I was in a particularly contemplative mood for the trip back to the hotel.

On the bright side, I thoroughly enjoyed the remaining German bunkers and gun emplacements. Although they were often dank and cold inside, I couldn't help but get excited at their intricacies, as I did hearing about how the Allies conquered each individual one.

Although this trip wasn't perhaps as much 'fun' as the Berlin trip in October 2004, I actually made more new friends than I ever have in such a small space of time and, interestingly, most of them were 5th years - people that I never bothered to hope to get along with!

I felt compelled to place my one wooden cross of remembrance on a German grave marked 'an unknown soldier'.

Jamie Davies-Wright (Upper Sixth)

I found this trip to be highly educational and enjoyable, mainly due to the overwhelming commitment of the guides and staff. I would like to personally thank Mr S Neal and all the accompanying staff who made this trip possible. Their efforts were crucial in the enjoyment of the pupils who, like me, are truly grateful. The itinerary was demanding but I feel that this only helped us, the pupils, to gain more from the learning experience.

To see in the cemeteries thousands of graves was incredibly moving and thought provoking and led to inner reflection. In the British and American cemeteries the gravestones are upright, as if standing to attention over sixty years on from the end of the Second World War. And how well kept the cemeteries are, showing clear respect for the valiant men and women who gave their lives for our freedom today.

We visited many battlefields and beaches, all of which were fascinating, but when accompanied by our fantastic guides, Mr Storie-Pugh and Mr Bradley, they became once-in-a-lifetime experiences due to their in-depth knowledge and general enthusiasm for the subject. For myself, I found both Pointe du Hoc and Longues-sur-Mer German gun battery most intriguing.

The trip was very enjoyable and I can't thank enough the staff that brought us on this fantastic learning experience. I feel it is terribly important to remember those terribly brave men and women who laid down their lives for our freedom.

Sam Salt (Lower Sixth)

La Cambe German Cemetery is unlike the cemeteries of the Allies. Its stark black crosses and slabs of stone flat on the ground may sound very Germanic and strict, but when surrounded by green grass and oak trees they are more peaceful than one might think. 21,160 are buried in a cemetery a fraction of the size of the American one of 9,000, and yet it feels more spacious. Outside the cemetery a plaque notes its 'melancholy rigour. It is a graveyard for soldiers not all of whom had chosen either the cause or the fight', which is why I laid my remembrance cross on the grave of an unknown 'Deutsche Soldat'.

Max Mackay (Fifth Form)

I would first like to thank all the teaching staff for providing us with the much needed supervision in order for this trip to happen. Special thanks go to Mr S Neal for organising such a great trip. Thanks must also go to the two guides and the coach driver. Colonels Bradley and Storie-Pugh were inspirational guides that gave us a great insight into the historical elements of the trip. My favourite aspects of the trip were the visits to the cemeteries and memorials. My particular favourite was when on the last day we visited the Bayeux CWGC War Cemetery . I thought that this part of the trip was inspirational and very thought-provoking. The laying of a wreath to commemorate an Old King's Scholar enhanced the trip by focusing my mind on the waste of war. This point was further hammered home when I picked the grave of one soldier with my surname. I found out where he lived and where he had died and that he had died aged just 22. Focusing on one soldier made me think about the families of the lost soldiers and the ultimate sacrifice that they made for us and the future of our country.

Jacob Newman (Fifth Form)

I have been on several King's School trips but none has been so compelling or interesting as this one. I was often inspired by the wonderful stories told so well by the fantastic Mr Storie-Pugh and Mr Bradley. And of course I enjoyed our interesting outings to the cemeteries, museums, battlefields and beaches. I learnt a lot and I have a much greater respect for every soldier who fought in the war. In the end I hope I gave something to all who took part in the war.

Cal Lee (Fifth Form)

What can I say? The five days spent on the History trip were incredibly memorable and even more informative.

The three major cemeteries showed quite starkly the difference in attitude to the war and the casualties of it: the gothic melodramatic darkness of the German cemetery; the almost military-parade style layout of the British graves; and the proud, immense and overwhelming American cemetery. Each was emotional and impressive but in different ways.

The battlefields all made me pause and think about the sacrifice made by the generation that fought in the war.

The staff, Mr Neal and Mr Storie-Pugh in particular, helped make the week better. In fact the latter's cry after good news of "You may cheer!" will forever be infamous at The King's School.

Thank you all the staff for making it worth it.

Josh Pritchard (Fourth Form)

I really enjoyed this trip. The two guides provided a lot of interesting facts, as well as several fascinating stories about individual soldiers. They were very amiable, professional, and made the trip all the more enjoyable.

I also thought the visits to the cemeteries were an important part of the trip. It is very difficult to see at King's the need to visit these cemeteries. However, once you visit them, it is fascinating to see the sheer numbers of dead, and, in my case, the difference in attitude of the respective countries shown by the layout of the graves - a typical example would be the massive difference between German and American cemeteries.

The visits to the German concrete constructions of gun emplacements, cupolas, and machine gun posts really brought a sense of reality to the whole affair. Watching the opening of Saving Private Ryan before visiting Omaha Beach really chills you.

But the most important thing I learned from the trip was an understanding of how the events of D-Day changed relations between countries and why people on the continent have such faith in the EU.

Thank you to all the staff, guides and organizers who have made this trip so enjoyable for me and many others.

Chris Wayne (Fourth Form)

The trip was brilliant. I'm sure that all of us thoroughly enjoyed it. I would certainly come on the Battlefields Trip in future. Even though I had already been to Omaha Beach and Pointe du Hoc, I learnt more about them.

Mr Storie-Pugh and Mr Bradley were brilliant guides and I don't think that Mr Neal could have chosen better ones.

I would like to say a big thank you to all of the staff. The trip was absolutely fantastic!

James Hopkinson (Third Year)

The trip was really good and educational. The guides were excellent and could answer all your questions. The places we went were a great combination because it wasn't just cemeteries or just beaches but a mixture. Also, we didn't just talk about things but DID things like running up the beach. The free time was also good.

Jonathan Sears (Third Year)

I really enjoyed the History Trip, especially Point du Hoc and the role-plays on the beaches. You start to empathise with the soldiers although you couldn't possibly know what it really would be like to be in that situation. The guides were good at getting across the stories in an interesting and enjoyable way.

Matthew Robinson (Third Year)

I have thoroughly enjoyed this trip. Fun and education have been combined perfectly.

The guides were great - very informative but with true stories and interesting little facts.

My personal favourite part was Pointe du Hoc where we saw the drastic effects of shelling prior to and during D-Day. Also there was plenty of free time to relax.

Thank you.

Thomas Pearson-Jones (Third Year)

I thought the most moving moment was when we went to the American cemetery and saw all the white crosses standing tall in perfectly straight lines and angles. It was such a stark contrast to the German cemetery, which was dark and bleak. It really made you realise that it wasn't just the British that had sacrificed men.

Kate Phillipson (Third Year)

The part of the trip which I enjoyed the most was visiting Pointe du Hoc. I liked looking in the bunkers and gun emplacements. I also liked listening to the guides' stories on the coach. I would recommend the trip to anyone because it was really good!

Charlotte North (Third Year)

I have really enjoyed this trip! It's been a really good way to spend the half term.

Until I had seen the first cemetery, I didn't realize how big this war actually was and it really made me aware how many people gave their lives. The museums that we saw were interesting and I really enjoyed the 360° cinema - the film was really meaningful. The battlefields were seriously good. When I was exploring them I could just imagine the soldiers fighting there. The beaches were fun, especially when we got to play the parts of soldiers. Giving us free time was really good as was letting us get our own lunch and explore at lunch time.

All the people on the trip were fab and I had loads of fun. Mr Storie-Pugh and Mr Bradley tell the best stories and are absolute legends!

Thank you to everyone for making this trip so good.

Elizabeth Roberts (Shells)

I enjoyed most going to the beaches because we could look around the battle sites and interact with the history. I thought our guides were very knowledgeable and I enjoyed listening to their stories. I've made lots of friends. It's been awesome. The cemeteries were overwhelming.

Morgan Jones (Shells)

I really enjoyed the trip and would definitely come again. I found it amazing how many gravestones there were and I found it interesting to compare the British and American ones with the German ones. One of the best parts of the trip was getting to know so many new people from other years that I had never met before. My favourite parts of the trip were the guides' stories and the DVD history films and documentaries as we drove along, and of course visiting Omaha Beach . My favourite museum was the one at the German cemetery.

Thank you for making the trip so enjoyable.

Siobhan Barnard (Shells)

HISTORY TRIP TO THE WESTERN FRONT - OCTOBER 2003
Now that the last of the Belgian chocolates has been consumed and trippers, their parents, and staff have caught up a little on lost sleep, what impressions remain of the trip we returned from just two weeks ago? As usual I asked those who came along to pen a few words. Perhaps they would comment on the legendary French cuisine we all enjoyed night after night (an unending diet of soup, chicken and chips in a mushroom sauce, followed by chocolate mousse)? Maybe Mr Storie-Pugh’s penchant for making us go for a run just after we’d eaten? The fourth-formers’ noble attempts to re-build the entente cordiale with some French schoolgirls they met in Verdun? Perhaps these things did cross the mind, but what my respondents chose to write about is altogether less frivolous and is indicative of their thoughtful and mature conduct on the trip itself, which drew plaudits from our guide, coach driver and even the general public. Rather than give a blow-by-blow account of the trip, I have opted to give the reader a sample of what some of the 'trippers’ had to say.

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Daniel Siddle, 5PN I found standing in the American cemetery as the sun set a very moving experience. The surrounding silence and falling darkness set an apt mood and represented the silencing and falling of the potential of a generation. Alastair Lyon, U6AW No amount of experience or knowledge can prepare you for the battlefields and cemeteries of the Western Front. As you stand at the gate of a cemetery, looking to the rows of immaculately kept graves, you are overcome with a range of emotions and feelings…interest, sadness, anger. It is only when you realise that beneath each grave lies an individual, that you appreciate the immense loss of life that occurred during the First World War.				Kenneth Graham, 5PF Standing at the battlefields, hearing about the courageous acts that the soldiers performed made me feel different and has inspired me to have more courage and interest in the things I do in life. Alex Beard, U6JB During the recent battlefields trip that visited the war cemeteries of Commonwealth, French, American and German men along the Western Front in Belgium and France, we were given the chance to visit the grave of a distant relative. Each boy on the trip was given a cross on which were the words ‘In Remembrance’; we placed ours on his grave. We viewed this as marking our respect for a debt which can never be repaid.
Alistair Barnwell, 3SM I really enjoyed the History trip. I learnt a lot about the tactics used and the conditions the soldiers had to live in. I also learnt about how key battles changed the war. Our guide, Mr Storie-Pugh, told excellent stories about the war that really brought it to life. I would certainly go again. James and Tom Maskrey, 5PN and 3SM I particularly liked the visit to the Somme battlefields. Sitting in a ditch, surrounded by the small British cemeteries, in exactly the same place as the young men were in 1916, poised to embark on the most horrific day in British military history, was quite amazing. Listening to the preparations they would have gone through and looking at the lie of the land about them, it was possible to get a gauge of the fear and hopelessness that must have been running through their minds before the infamous command ‘over the top’ and the blowing of thousands of whistles. The uneasy silence of the place being broken by our own whistle had quite an effect on me. Richard Thomas, 4SP The gravestones in the cemeteries stand to attention, almost awaiting an order.				Nick Sherratt, 5PF Finding a member of my family on a panel on the Menin Gate gave me a sense of pride, but also fear, that he is either lying still in the battlefield or in a grave marked ‘Known Unto God’. Stephen Mosford, 3MB I think that the part of the trip that made the greatest impression on me was the Last Post at the Menin Gate. It gave a feeling of sadness of the scale of loss of a whole generation of young men. Jon Bedford, 4DL The highlight of the trip for me was the visit to the preserved trenches in Sanctuary Wood. We got to walk around in places where the brave soldiers of the First World War fought, lived and died. I was surprised at how cold, damp and cramped these trenches were – it made me think how hard the soldiers fought and how they fought under such horrible conditions. Robert Trevelyan, L6KS The highlight of the week for me was the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate, when a fellow pupil laid a wreath in remembrance of two Old King’s Scholars, whose names are stuck on the huge stone panels amongst thousands of others.

As trippers and their parents will know, I have used some of these responses in feedback to two organisations – ServicePals.com and The Royal British Legion. Although things have gone quiet from the former, the latter still intend issuing a press release about the educational value of trips such as ours. We can only keep our fingers crossed that something may come of this.

And so, with half an eye still on the trip just gone, one starts to look ahead to the next battlefields trip. This will take place in October 2005 and next time we shall visit the D-Day landing beaches in Normandy. Mr Storie-Pugh will once more give us fascinating insights that aren’t found in the guide books and, of course, we shall remember the school’s former pupils who died in the fighting. I shall send out a letter to advertise this trip in due course.

S Neal

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