DND Battle Tours

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Brisbane, QLD
DND Battle Tours

Personally crafted battlefield tours telling the Australian story on the Western Front through the experiences of your Anzac relatives.
(2)

21/11/2024

🇦🇺 Thank you so much to my first 500 !!
I really appreciate your interest and support with recommendations, shares and likes! 👍
I have loved walking the Western Front with some of you and look forward to taking more of you across that sacred ground!!
Thanks especially to my battlefield partner and good mate, Phil of Sacred Ground Tours. Can't wait for Anzac Day 2025 and beyond!!
🇦🇺 Aussie Guides | Aussie Battles | Aussie Stories 🇦🇺
'Discover your family's personal Anzac story'
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reviews.

20/11/2024

All deaths were tragic, but seeing father and son resting together across two wars and both sides of the line...
In the German cemetery at Illies there lies Hauptmann (Captain) August Balthasar (Died 25 October 1914) and his son, Hauptmann Wilhelm Balthasar (Died 3 July 1941).
In the French cemetery of Notre Dame de Lorette, Capitaine Lajos Anatole De Sars (Died 29 September 1915) rests with his son, Capitaine Edmond De Sars (Died 18 May 1940).
Lest we forget.

Sacred Ground Tours

18/11/2024

'In Flanders Fields' was written by Major John McCrae at Essex Farm Dressing Station in 1915. The dressing station dug outs remain next to Essex Farm Cemetery. One of our guests did a magnificent job reciting the most famous poem of the Great War...

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

17/11/2024

While the battlefields are our main focus, your adventure will be further enhanced by the amazing local tributes and museum displays that recreate aspects of WW1 & WW2.
We visit a range of different WW1 places from Pozieres to Passchendaele where the mannequins are often very 'life-like', hey Jeffrey Vk 😄.
If you're coming with us to the D-Day beaches, then Normandy has many wonderful WW2 sites to immerse yourself and feel part of history.
Whatever you are looking for, DND Battle Tours has you covered.

Sacred Ground Tours Passchendaele Museum Radar 44 - Musée Franco Allemand du radar de Douvres la Délivrande D-Day Experience, Saint Côme du Mont

14/11/2024

14 November 1916 was an eventful day for relatives of some of our recent tour guests. While Jack Box and the 26th were floundering in The Maze, the 49th Battalion were providing 'carrying parties' to the south between Flers and Delville Wood ('Devil Wood').
Brian Hanlon's Grandfather, Mick Hanlon was a great mate of the Holloway boys in Roma, Queensland and they had sailed away together to the Great War.
On this day 108 years ago, Mick sustained a serious leg wound when 'Fritz opened up on them and caught them in the legs'. It was an absolute honour to visit this area with Brian and pay our respects to his Grandfather. In doing so, we honoured a family friendship that began a century ago and continues today.
Mick may have lost a leg, but he survived and returned home. He never let it hold him back, whether building a house or tackling a knife-wielding man on a Sydney tram. What an absolute champion and Anzac hero. Thank you Mick, and thank you Brian.
(Pictured with Delville Wood in the background).
Great stories and connections...

14/11/2024

108 years ago today, on 14 November 1916, the 26th Battalion AIF took part in a horrible and costly battle in the muddy moonscape of 'The Maze', just north of Flers, France. The 'Battle of the Somme' was drawing to a merciful close, but one last push was planned by HQ to 'straighten the line for winter'.
Among the young men who went 'over the top' that day were Hilton Brooks and Jack Box. Hilton's mother was a Holloway. Whenever I am on the Western Front, I pay a visit to The Maze, and we did so again in April 2024. This time though, Jack Box's Grandson (John Box) was with me and we walked the ground together as our relative's had done over a century ago. These stories and connections are the reason I do what I do. Lest we forget.

Sacred Ground Tours

10/11/2024

Lest we forget.

10/11/2024

Their Duty Nobly Done. Remembering the 11 Holloway boys who answered the call for God, King and Country, They fought for each other and their mates. They are not forgotten.

10/11/2024

Remembrance Day 2024. Thank you to all who have served and sacrificed in the cause of freedom. Who will you be reflecting on tomorrow at 11:00am, 11 November? Please share below.

07/11/2024

Our exclusive April & September battle tours begin in the charming northern French city of LILLE. With easy access via train from anywhere in Europe and the UK, it is an ideal place to start your battlefield adventure.
Most important though is that within 30 minutes, you are on your first battlefield at FROMELLES. Our tours are designed to maximise your time on the battlefields, so you spend less time on coaches fighting Parisian traffic and wondering 'Are we there yet?'.
🇦🇺 Aussie Guides | 🇦🇺 Aussie Battles | 🇦🇺 Aussie Stories - Discover your family's personal Anzac story!
Book your ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ tour today.

Sacred Ground Tours Adam Holloway - Author Adam Holloway

06/11/2024

"We do want you to have a 'blast' on your tour, but please just 'look', don't touch!" 😀
The 'Iron Harvest' on the BULLECOURT battlefield. Bombs, shells and casings picked up by farmers and placed at certain points for collection by the authorities. It has been a while by the looks...
Sacred Ground Tours

06/11/2024

Discover the Anzac Spirit as you explore the Western Front in France & Belgium in 2025! And, if you enjoy WW1 history, then WW2 is just down the road in Normandy!
Exclusive to our April tours, join us as we walk in the footsteps of the greatest generations who fought and died for our freedoms.
BOOK NOW and secure your spot today! www.dndbattletours.com.au
Aussie Guides | Aussie Battles | Aussie Stories
NORMANDY - Airborne Actions | D-Day Beaches | Bayeux & Mont St Michel
Sacred Ground Tours

05/11/2024

Australian 4th Division Memorial at Pontruet, France. The 4th Division's achievements in September 1918 set the final stage for the Anzac assaults on the Hindenburg Line and beyond.

14/10/2024

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ GUEST REVIEW!!! Don't just take our word for it...
'Making group tours personal' is what we love to do for our guests. Your family's Anzac story is central to our tour! Our smaller group size gurantees you will walk in their footsteps, and with plenty of time on the battlefields, you will see where the Aussies not only forged a legend, but an enduring friendship with a grateful French and Belgian people. 🇦🇺🇧🇪🇫🇷
JOIN US IN 2025 and make some amazing memories.
Aussie Guides | Aussie Battles | Aussie Stories
Sacred Ground Tours Adam Holloway - Author

06/10/2024

Amazing Battlefield Tours!! Spots filling fast for 2025!! WW1 & WW2!!
Discover the amazing sites where 2 generations fought to ensure freedom. If you love military history and travel, then we have the tours for you in 2025!

Imagine being at the 'Dawn Service' in Villers-Bretonneux on 25 April instead of watching it on the telly... or walking the sacred sands of Omaha Beach and the fields around Brecourt Manor where Dick Winters and his 'Band of Brothers' fought... or perhaps you would prefer to join us in September as we bring the Anzac legend to life through more great stories of our brave lads and nurses. So many great memories to be made!

Aussie Guides | Aussie Battles | Aussie Stories
"Making group tours personal": Discover your family's Anzac story.
See our website for more details and our 2026 tours: www.dndbattletours.com.au

Proudly partnered with: Sacred Ground Tours (Phil Hora, an Aussie in France)
Proudly brought to you by: 'Duty Nobly Done' by Adam Holloway - Author .
Proudly supported by: JR Medals (Veteran-owned)

04/10/2024

Anzac Connections on Tour! Amazing Stories! Wonderful Memories!
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The Battle of Broodseinde Ridge - 4 October 1917
In the early hours of 4 October 1917, two Anzac Corps were about to go into battle side-by-side for the first time (four divisions). Not only that, Alf HOLLOWAY (42nd Battalion); Ernest Henry POHLMAN (25th Battalion); and Rupert BAKER (6th Battalion) were lined up in that order, left to right, ready for the attack.
What an honour to research these dear lads and discover this wonderful connection - it was meant to be. We walked along the old ROULERS railway embankment that separated Alf and Ernest by a mere 100 yards (with young Rupert further to the right again) and walked in with the attack up towards TYNE COT.
We are pictured standing shoulder-to-shoulder in the middle of the battlefield (on the Red Line at THAMES BUNKER) with me (Adam HOLLOWAY), John (POHLMAN) and Glenn Baker (BAKER) as our dear lads did on that fateful day. Young POHLMAN was killed just behind where we are standing and has no known grave, while young BAKER was wounded a little further beyond. We take you right to the places of significance and all the guests are blessed as a result
Thank you to John and Glenn for sharing their lads' stories and for letting us be a part of it.
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107 years ago today, the Battle of Broodseinde Ridge and the push towards the Passchendaele Ridge commenced. Before the Allied bombardment could get going, the Germans began to heavily shell across No Man's Land where the Anzacs lay waiting for the whistle - had they been spotted out there?!
However, right on cue, the supporting barrage roared overhead like a freight train through a cutting and fell on the German positions. The Aussies shouldered their rifles, lit ci******es and followed the barrage. There was some heavy fighting around pill boxes as they advanced, but before they had reached the first objective (the Red Line), figures emerged from the dimly lit and smoke shrouded field ahead and were coming towards them. Were they Aussies? NO! They were Germans! Our lads poured fire into them and before long, the shocked and bewildered Huns were surrendering and filtering through the advancing Aussies with hands held high. By some strange coincidence the Germans had attacked at the same time! By the end of the day, all objectives had been taken, and within a week, the rains would set in and turn the battlefield into a quagmire. But, that didn't stop HQ's big push towards Passchendaele and boy did the Anzacs suffer accordingly.

Sacred Ground Tours

01/10/2024

Great memories await! As well as the battlefield walks and cemetery visits, we love to support locals who keep the soldiers' memories alive. There are some wonderful sites, collections and museum displays to check out as we make our way along the Western Front. Delicious food and drink, and fields full of 'green & gold'. There is also time to do a bit of 'fossicking' and you might even make a new friend, right Julie 😀. Join us in April or September 2025.

Passchendaele Museum Bullecourt 1917 - Musée Jean et Denise Letaille Le Tommy Vignacourt 14-18 Musée Franco-Australien Cité Souterraine de Naours Sacred Ground Tours Talbot House - Every man's club Adam Holloway - Author Adam Holloway Last Post Ieper

28/09/2024

🇦🇺 The Story of Jack Box and Hilton Brooks (of the 26th)
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Another one of the wonderful stories that came to light during our recent tour has an amazing beginning. For those who have read 'Duty Nobly Done' you will know Hilton as one of the 11 boys (his mother was a Holloway).

Well, last year, my family had been invited to celebrate the 40th birthday of a dear friend. I had spoken to most other guests during the evening, but it was not until we were about to leave that I was suddenly approached by a gentleman who introduced himself as the birthday girl's father-in-law - John.

For those who know me, it does not take long for the conversation to turn to military history ☺️. "My Grandfather was in the Great War," says John. "What's his name?" "Jack Box, well John." I take out the trusty mobile and within seconds we discover that young Jack went away with the 10th Reinforcements to the 26th Battalion - with one of my lads, Hilton. My heart beats a little faster.

We are then joined by John's wife, Christine, and the conversation turns to my upcoming tour. I explain that we visit the Windmill (where Jack and Hilton were together before Jack was wounded on his first occasion). I note that Jack was wounded again, on 14 November 1916 during the disastrous battle in 'The Maze'. "We're going there too!" I say proudly, as not many people go there, if any.

John and Chris politely say how interesting that all is and that they have always wanted to go and see these places. As a parting comment I say, "If you ever want to head over, you know where to find me. Nice to have met you both!" And, with that, my family and I depart.

John called me the next day and he and Chris booked the Anzac Day 2024 tour and the rest is history 😀. We had an amazing time as we walked together where Jack and Hilton had been over 100 years ago. We went to the Windmill site, and then out into the Maze for reflection. It was a special moment for us all.

Thank you John and Chris for allowing us to tell Jack's story and share these moments with you. Bless you.

P.S. just like the tour, there is more to the story as John and I have other battlefield connections, so stay tuned...
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With 11 Holloways fighting on the Western Front, chances are they crossed paths with your Anzac . Let's head over together and show they're not forgotten. Join me in 2025 and discover your family's Anzac story!

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Brisbane, QLD

Website

http://www.dndbattletours.com.au/

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WW1 & WW2 Battle Tours for Aussies

Discover the Anzac Spirit as you explore the Western Front in France & Belgium in 2025! And, if you enjoy WW1 history, then WW2 is just down the road in Normandy! Exclusive to our April tours, join us as we walk in the footsteps of the greatest generations who fought and died for our freedoms. BOOK NOW and secure your spot today! www.dndbattletours.com.au Aussie Guides | Aussie Battles | Aussie Stories NORMANDY - Airborne Actions | D-Day Beaches | Bayeux & Mont St Michel Sacred Ground Tours #anzacday #WW1 #ww2 #normandy #villersbretonneux

Discover your family's personal Anzac story with Aussie-owned and operated, DND Battle Tours. Join us in 2025 or 2026. See website for details and BOOK NOW! @followers Sacred Ground Tours #ANZAC #anzacday #dutynoblydone

What our guests are saying about DND Battle Tours!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ GUEST REVIEW!!! Don't just take our word for it... 'Making group tours personal' is what we love to do for our guests. Your family's Anzac story is central to our tour! Our smaller group size gurantees you will walk in their footsteps, and with plenty of time on the battlefields, you will see where the Aussies not only forged a legend, but an enduring friendship with a grateful French and Belgian people. 🇦🇺🇧🇪🇫🇷 JOIN US IN 2025 and make some amazing memories. Aussie Guides | Aussie Battles | Aussie Stories Sacred Ground Tours Adam Holloway - Author #dutynoblydone #anzacspirit #ANZAC #anzacday #WW1 #anzac #ieper #AnzacDay #somme #australianhistory

Aussie Battlefield Tours 2025 & 2026 - Book Now! DND Battle Tours - Aussie Guides | Aussie Battles | Aussie Stories www.dndbattletours.com.au #ANZAC #anzacday #visitflanders #anzacspirit #hautsdefrancetourisme #WW1 #dutynoblydone

DND Battle Tours - Anzac Day 2025

"Discover your family's personal Anzac story". 🇦🇺 First Class Personalised 10-Day Group Tours | Max. 22 guests | Guaranteed Australian guides | Western Front Departing in April and September 2025 | Head to our website for details | Book now! "Making group tours personal". Personally crafted battlefield tours telling the Australian story on the Western Front through the experiences of your Anzac relatives. Our tours don't just go near the places of family significance, we walk the actual ground where your soldier lived, fought and died. NORMANDY 'Add-On' available for April tours. Book with confidence! See our 🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢 TripAdvisor reviews. #AnzacDay #ANZAC #somme #WW1 #Battlefield #hautsdefrancetourisme #gosomme #anzacspirit Battlefield Partner: Sacred Ground Tours

D-Day, 6 June 1944. The famous assault on the German gun battery at Brecourt Manor by Lt Dick Winters and men of Easy Company (plus Dog Company for the 4th gun). The Germans had 4 guns arranged in an 'L' shape, firing on Utah Beach. MG42 machine guns were set up for defence. Lt Winters captured the first gun, and using the drainage ditch, proceeded to capture the second and third guns, before Lt Ronald Speirs arrived with men from Dog Company and captured the last gun before the withdrawal. The assault was wonderfully recreated in the mini-series, Band of Brothers. It was an honour to walk in their footsteps during our Normandy 2024 tour. #easycompany #ww2 #brécourtmanor #DDay #101stairborne

The German gun battery at Longues-sur-Mer. An amazing place to visit during our tours. #dutynoblydone #dday80 #ddaylandings #longuesurmerbattery #ww2history #normandybunkers #normandietourisme #normandybeach #omahabeach #goldbeach @adamhollowayauthor

Juno beach with the Canadians 🇨🇦#canada #junobeach #dday80

Thank you 🙏🏼 🫡🇺🇸 #dday80 #collevillesurmer #ddaybeaches #ww2history

Our wreath layers at the Menin Gate, Ypres. Young Nick and Harry led the way on behalf of the tour. @sacredgroundtours @lastpostassociation #meningate #lastpost #anzac #dutynoblydone #sacredgroundtours

Enjoy a great brekkie with us before exploring the battlefields… 🇦🇺🇫🇷🇧🇪 @sacredgroundtours #brekkietime #battlefieldtours #dutynoblydone #sacredgroundtours #anzac #buffetbreakfast