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Home , Boudenib, Casablanca, Skoura

WWII -Operation Torch

Invasion of Morocco WWII Sites & The French Foreign Legion Era

4—13 August, 2021

Tour Leader: Steve Hamilton

13198 Centerpointe Way, Ste 202 Woodbridge, VA 22193-5285 703-590-1295 * [email protected] * www.miltours.com Military Historical Tours with our tour part- ner Valor Tours are ready to take you to the Kas- bah. The had last sent armed forc- es to Morocco during the Second Barbary War Tour Route: of 1815. However, on 8 November 1942 U.S. forces would again be off the Moroccan coast. The Western Task Force was landing on the beaches between Port Lyautey, Fedala and Safi. This was the beginning of American involve- ment in North , other landings would take place in and before the end of the year American and British forces would be on the outskirts of . The Panzerarmee Afrika “The Afrika Korps” counter-attacked delaying the end, but six months to the day of these land- ings the war in would be over. While in Morocco, we will also explore the most legendary desert fighters of them all – the French Foreign Legion. We shall follow one of their longest marches, see their longest tunnel and examine two of their fabled “No Surrender” battles. We shall cross the and spend one night in a 5-Star encamp- ment. We can ask Sam to play it again at Ricks Café in . This is a 5-Star exclusive and exciting tour that encompasses WWII and the romance of the desert encompassed by the Foreign Legion. The WWII Invasion Plan: The Allies decided on the operation to be done with three separate task forces. The over- all commander was General Eisenhower with his deputy of General Mark Clark. Initially planned for 30 October, Operation Torch was postponed to 8 November. Under General Eisenhower’s command, the Anglo-American forc- es consisted of 200 warships, 110 troopships, 107 000 men and considerable air cover. The Western Task Force, arriving from the United States, would land in Morocco under General George Patton consisted of the 2nd Armored Division, and the 3rd and 9th Infantry Divisions. Patton’s forces would land in Spanish Morocco at Fedala outside of Casablanca, Safi, and Mehdia outside of Port Lyautey. He had 35,000 troops and 100 ships in his command. Tour Leader: Steve Hamilton is known for his touring exploits in the deserts of North Africa. He has led groups of battlefield enthusiasts all around the Mediterranean from Southern France to Sicily, Greece, Crete, Malta and Mo- rocco. He has also led groups to southern Germany and the Alsace. Steve comes from a real military family – his Great Grandfather had been at the Relief of Mafeking during the Boer War and during WWI he was one of just seven men from his Battalion to come through the first day of the Battle of Somme. During WWII one Grandfather was KIA in , while the other died as a POW in Changi Gaol. His father and uncles were to serve post war in British armored regiments. Not surprisingly Steve grew up with a military in- terest, which he passes onto Join MHT on the “Road to Morocco”

his groups. Price: $ 3,700 (Based On Double Occupancy)

Single Room Supplement: $ 800 (depending on availability)

Tour Price Includes: • Accommodation in superior 5 star hotels in rooms with private facilities; one night at a 5* Bedouin encampment • A/C Coach with professional driver/4 WD for day 5 to 7 with a bottle of mineral water every day • Transfers on arrival & departure by private coach • Meals as listed in itinerary 8 Breakfasts/ 8 Dinners • Admission fees to all sites, museums and special at- tractions listed • Services of experienced Tour Director and knowledgeable local guides • All local sales taxes, Hotel service charges & one bag portage when available

Not included in tour: Gratuities, trip cancellation & lunches.

Airfare Not Included: Optional MHT Round-trip econ- omy airfare from your hometown airport to Morocco available upon request (price subject to confirmation at time of booking.) Business class is also available. Morocco Itinerary and the Foreign Legion

Wed 4 Aug—Departure Memorial. Then con- Depart on our overnight flight to Morocco. tinue until we reach the Kasbah of Ait Ben Thur 5 Aug—Arrival Haddou. Then onto Arrive Casablanca, met through the and transferred to our ho- implacable Hamada. tel; check in at hotel. Wel- Overnight Quarzazate. come Dinner & overnight. (B/D) (Dinner - D) Tue 10 Aug—“In the Fri 6 Aug—Casablanca footsteps of the After breakfast, we visit Foreign Legion” Ben Msik War cemetery After breakfast, head in Casablanca. Then we down the “road of a tour of Casablanca including the Imperial Hotel Pat- thousand kasbahs” for ton’s HQ; central Market and the Habous District; Errachida, via the Mahkama (law court) and Royal Palace from outside. Taourirt Kasbah, then Then onto seaside resort and district of Hil. Pano- to the Legion battle- rama visit to Hassan II , largest mosque in the field at . Onto Tineghit and then our hotel in Er- Islamic world after that of Mecca. Afternoon at leisure rachida. (B/D) to relax at hotel or stroll Atlantic beach.(Breakfast-B/D) Wed 11 Aug— Sat 7 Aug—Operation Torch “Beau Geste” Today we visit the landing beaches at Fedala where An early start Patton and the 3rd Infantry Division landed. We then with 4x4’s as we move onto the landing beaches at Port Lyautey where head toward the units from the 9th Infantry Division and 66th Armoured Legion stronghold Regiment landed, under command of General Truscott. of . At both sites we shall examine the landings and the

Spend the day in this area examining Le- gion fortifications and battlefields and the dramatic story of the “40 against 400.” Re- turn to Errachida. (B/D)

Thur 12 Aug—The Legion This morning head north to Fez via the “Tunnel der Legionnaire” and , an- other Legion stronghold. Overnight Fez. Left: Rick’s Américain Café from the 1942 movie. Right: Rick’s today! (B/D) bridgehead and the fight for the “Kasbah” Return to Fri 13 Casablanca. Tonight dinner at Rick’s Café and over- Aug— night. (B/D) Departure

Sun 8 Aug—Landings at Safi Breakfast After breakfast head to Marrakech via the landing at hotel, beaches at Safi where, under the command of General departure Harmon, the remainder of the 9th Infantry Division to Fez Air- and the 67th Armoured Regiment port for landed. Also visit the defensive po- your flight home, sition at Pointe de la Tour and La or join us for Railleuse. Then continue to hotel in flight to Marrakech. Dinner at local restau- to begin the Oper- rant. (B/D) ation Dragoon tour and also cross Mon 9 Aug—The Atlas Mountains the south of After an early departure, cross the France off your Mountains and reach the bucket list. (B) 2,260 meter high Tizi N’Tichka Pass

Geste Beau & Mountbatten) Louis

Morocco General Patton (with Lord Lord (with Patton General Morocco

5285 - 22193 VA Woodbridge,

202 Ste Way, Centerpointe 13198