1944 Airborne Operations Tour

France, Netherlands, and Belgium

KD
Knee Deep Into History LLC
  • Email address verified
Sep 16 - 21, 2025
Group size: 4 - 12
1944 Airborne Operations Tour
France, Netherlands, and Belgium

Knee Deep Into History LLC
  • Email address verified

Sep 16 - 21, 2025
Group size: 4 - 12

About this trip

Get knee deep into history by studying the 1944 airborne operations of the Allied Armies. This six-day tour will focus on the use of Allied airborne troops in three separate offensives: the Normandy landings, Operation Market-Garden and the Ardennes Offensive. (In the latter offensive, they were trucked quickly to the region because they were the closest available reserves.)


We believe that one of the reasons that the use of airborne troops is such a fascinating topic is because they are dropped spread-out into a combat zone, lightly-armed, and needing to assemble into a functional fighting unit. However, there is no certainty as to when infantry and armor units will meet up to reinforce and/or relieve them. This takes an amazing amount of determination and fortitude.


This tour will focus on the details regarding the use of airborne troops in each of the three offensives as well as the human stories of the men and their leaders under trying circumstances. As part of our philosophy of telling both sides of the story, it will focus on the American as well as on the British airborne troops.

What’s included

  • Two Guides
    Two military historian guides who understand both sides of the story and who speak multiple languages and understand European culture
  • 3-Star accommodations
    We select European family-owned hotel / restaurants with a 3-star rating to give you both comfort and atmosphere.
  • Tour transportation
    Tour transportation depends on group size and uses a mix of 9-person people movers or cars, all equipped with A/C.
  • Most meals
    except those specified as “on your own” in the itinerary
  • Water, Soda, Snacks
    Snacks are available in the tour vehicles for the times when you need an energy hit.
  • Cultural events
    We include cultural outings such as calvados tasting, church tour, etc. and shopping time on trips longer than a few days
  • Admission fees
    We cover any museum or event fees necessary.

What’s not included

  • Travel
    We do NOT cover any transportation to/from the start/end point
  • Lodging before/after
    We do NOT cover any lodging before the start of the tour or after the end of the tour.
  • Dinner drinks
    Each participant covers their own drinks
  • Excluded meals
    Dinners or lunches specifically excluded in the tour brochure
  • Souvenirs and gifts

Available Packages

Double Occupancy
Deposit:$600
Available until July 16, 2025

Price is per person based on double occupancy.

$2,640
Deposit:$600
Single Room Supplement
Deposit:$600
Available until July 16, 2025
$2,955
Deposit:$600


Itinerary

Tuesday, 16 September
Pick-up at CDG, Normandy Airborne Sites: Sainte-Mère-Église & More

Pick-up at CDG at 12:00 noon and drive to Normandy. Visit 82nd and 101st Airborne Division sites, including Sainte-Mère-Église, Carentan, La Fière Bridge. Hotel TBD in Bayeux, Normandy.


Note: Pick-up and return point for this tour will be CDG Airport. A specific meeting point will be provided later. Participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from the meeting point. Participants with their own vehicles can arrange to meet us at an alternate location.


We caution that the distances between battlefields on this tour are great and, therefore, require considerable travel time.

Your Organizer


KD
Knee Deep Into History LLC
At KDIH we design and guide WW1 and WW2 battlefield tours in Europe. Our philosophy includes: 1) Getting clients into the field as much as possible; 2) Guiding small groups (12 max.) to ensure greater interaction with the guides; 3) Presenting a balanced view of both sides of the story; 4) Designing tours for those seriously interested in history; and 5) introducing clients to local, not American, culture. We also excel in organizing bespoke tours for families or groups. Contact us with your tour needs.