2nd New Zealand Division in North Africa

2nd New Zealand Division in North Africa Battlefield Tour

2nd-15th May

Led by Steve Hamilton

Follow in the footsteps of the Kiwi Division as they fought their way across North Africa. The 2nd N.Z. Division gained the distinction of being the only division to reach their target on the opening night of the Battle of El Alamein, Visit such battles sites as Alam Halfa, Ruwesait Ridge where Sgt Keith Elliott and Charles Upham won the Victoria Cross, Qattara Track and Miterayia Ridge, Mersa Matruh, Minqar Qaim, Medenine, Tebaga Gap and Moari Hill, El Hamma, Akarit, Enfidaville and Takrouna and much more.

May 2nd

Arrive Cairo airport, where you will be met by our representative and escorted to our hotel in the Mena district of Cairo. (D)

May 3rd

The day begins with a visit to the Pyramids and Sphinx, We then drive to the world famous Cecil Hotel in Alexandria where we stay for one night. (B L D)

May 4th

Tour of Alexandria city including visits to Hadra and Chatby CWGC war cemeteries where New Zealand casualties of both world wars are buried, the Beys castle on the Corniche and site of the famous Alexandria Lighthouse, Your chance to have an “Ice Cold in Alex” We then drive to our hotel at Sidi el Rahman where Rommel had his headquarters) for three nights. (B L D)

May 5th

Today we visit the El Alamein battlefield, Tel el Eisa where Arthur Gurney won the Victoria Cross, Springbok Road and Ruwesait Ridge, where New Zealanders Keith Elliott and Charles Upham won their Victoria Crosses. Miteirya Ridge where Percy Gratwick and William Kibby won their VC’s. The famous Qattara Track along which the 2nd N.Z. Division attacked on the first night of El Alamein, Bab el Qattara and Kaponga Box, the minefields and see where Lt- Col Vic Turner won his VC near the Rahman Track. Lots to see during a busy day. Picnic on the battlefield. (B L D)

May 6th

Today is dedicated to all those who fought and died at El Alamein. We shall visit the Alamein war museum, El Alamein War cemetery where 4 Victoria Cross recipitants are buried, lunch in a local El Alamein restaurant. We will also visit the German and Italian Cemeteries at Tel el Eisa. (B L D)

May 7th

Drive to Mersa Matruh via Sidi el Rahman, El Daba and Fuka where the Indian Brigade fought a famous rear-guard action and the SAS/LRDG attacked the German airfields. Mingar Qaim scene of the famous 1942 New Zealand “breakout” and Sidi Hemza where Adam Wakenshaw was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross. Check into our hotel for two nights. (B L D)

May 8th

Today is dedicated to the 1915/16 Senussi War. We shall also visit the Wadi Majid, Djebel Medwa and Halazin battlefields where British and ANZACS troops fought in World War 1, New Zealanders suffered the first casualties of this conflict. Picnic lunch on the beach at Matruh and visit to the Rommel Museum. Opportunity to stay at the hotel relaxing on the beach or shopping in Mersa Matruh or maybe both. (B L D)

May 9th

Return to Cairo via the desert road and site of Monty’s first battle in the desert at Alam Halfa fought in August/September 1942, check into hotel for one night. (B L D)

May 10th

Flight to Djerba/Tunis, before making our way to our hotel in Gabes. (B D)

May 11th

Visits to the battlefields of Medenine and Mareth before returning to our hotel at Gabes. (B D)

May 12th

Today we head north to our hotel in Sfax via the site of a Maori VC action at El Hamma and Tebaga Gap and the Wadi Akarit battlefields. (B D)

May 13th

Morning visit to Sfax War cemetery where four VC recipitants are buried. We then drive north to El Djem Coliseum and then Takrouna, captured in dramatic style by New Zealanders. We also visit Enfidaville war cemetery before making our way to our hotel in Tunis. (B D)

May 14th

A visit to the Medjez el Bab Memorial where many New Zealanders with no known grave are commemorated. We will also take advantage of various sites along the Madjerda valley, including the place where the famous Tiger 131 was captured. (B D)

May 15th Flight home (B)

Cost of tour TBC.

Cost to include –

Visa for Egypt and Tunisia. Airport transfers.

All hotels.

Meals where stated (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)

Flight from Cairo to Tunisia. (a price of £300 has been allowed for this, as at the time of writing there is no fixed price)

All land transport.

Mineral water during the day. Battlefield booklet containing maps etc.

Explore History With Us

Guided tours to the battlefields of North Africa, including Egypt, Libya and Tunisia. Battlefields visited range from ancient times, Napoleonic, 1880’s Egyptian Campaign, WW1 and WW2.

What do our visitors think ?

Don W. Operation Dragoon 2016

We made it home safe and sound and want to thank you for a wonderful trip. It was a pleasure traveling with you as always. What an opportunity to learn about WWII and see the beautiful French countryside close up. As you Brits would say..."Brilliant!!". Thanks again, and happy travels! I toured North Africa three times in the last two years with an outstanding guide, Steve Hamilton. I got to meet veterans on both sides of the conflict at the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of El Alamein in El Alamein, Egypt. I have been to many of the battle sites in Tunisia fought by the GIs and the Commonwealth Forces. I have been to Tobruk and outlaying battle sites. Being in situ really brings to life the events which went on over 70 years ago. I have found that Steve Hamilton is more versed in the history and location of the various battle sites in North Africa than most that write the books and have not even been there. He has the local contacts and travels with Talal Bariun, a former Libyan judge and current lawyer for the Libya stock exchange. It amazes me how few Americans are interested in visiting the North Africa battle sites. It may be the "terrorist" threats, but Steve has taken extra steps to make sure his guests are safe and secure. The tours have enlightened me.

Samantha J. Kasserine Pass and Sicily July 2018

Your passion for this country and its people, your knowledge of the events that took place here and across North Africa during WWII, and your experience of and feel for the land itself are simply remarkable. The way in which you thought about my Fathers story; his experiences; the locations; and caring about what I was hoping to find here are far more than I ever expected. I am profoundly grateful for being able to share this solitary and personal journey with someone who really understands. Thank you for the invitations to join you and Talal and for sharing your friendship and stories with me. I felt welcomed and included in the respect and warmth that you both have for each other. This is perhaps the greatest gift of all.

Adrian EL Alamein October 2018

May I say on behalf of Vicky and myself how much we enjoyed it. Thank you so much for escorting us round. As a gang I thought we all got on fine. As far as Nick and I were concerned, the trip covered all we wanted to see exactly. Cairo to see where we born etc and El Alamein where our father fought. As you can understand, for my parents the years 1938 to 1947 in their late 20s and early 30s was the highlight of their lives. They were forever talking about it and I can quite see why. Their real close friends were from their Cairo days. My main impression was how damn flat and featureless the battlefield was. Ruweisat and Miteiriya Ridges were barely recognisable and one now quite understands how difficult it was to navigate in, there was so much to take in. How appropriate it was getting back in time for Remembrance Sunday with ones thought still filled with all those immaculate cemeteries we had just visited. Anyway, many thanks again. A trip we have been so looking forward to and one will never forget.

Richard P. El Alamein October 2017 75th Anniversary

I am now back after an amazing 10 days in Egypt on an El Alamein battlefield tour. Steve Hamilton and his team looked after us all superbly and I have increased my knowledge of the Battle of El Alamein hugely. Nothing can replace the experience of actually standing there amongst the shell fragments and seeing the positions that were fought so hard for with your own eyes. The high point was the 75th Anniversary Ceremony at the Commonwealth cemetery. So many young men buried there after fighting over virtually featureless desert thousands of miles from their home, Very moving. A tot of 8th army rum was taken with the remembrance oath. My father's photograph now lies buried under a tree in the Allied Cemetery with his fallen comrades. He is forever 'Up the blue' with his mates.

Mark V. El Alamein October 2019

I would like to say a big thank you to you for making our tour of the El Alamein battlefields a very memorable experience. It is those extra touches that made a big difference to me personally and given me memories that money cannot buy.

Chuck L. Kasserine Pass and Sicily July 2018

Thanks for your expertise and enthusiasm for honouring those who fought for our freedom during the war. You do honour to them for devoting 30 plus years to learning and telling their stories. It was an exciting and very interesting tour. I admire great tour guides like you and benefit enormously.

John B. El Alamein October 2017 75th Anniversary

I want to thank you sincerely for a tremendous tour - one of the highlights of my life........ I can hardly remember all where we went or all of what we did - we crammed so much into 10 days. This tour will be fodder for the rest of my cruise dinners at sea - no other guest will possibly have done this! I will tell all my friends (those who will listen!) of my Alamein Tour and 'Aboukir Bay' and my side trip to 'Sinai'. I will recommend you to all my friends and acquaintances.

Art S. El Alamein October 2017 75th Anniversary

David and I just want to say again how pleased we were with everything on the tour. The accommodations, food, the sites themselves, your explanations and expertise and comradery were all wonderful. We are considering taking another tour with you because of this positive experience.

Bill and Dru Vodra. Operation Torch and Operation Dragoon 2017

We had a wonderful two weeks with you. Thank you so much.

George M. Operation Torch and Operation Dragoon 2017

Thanks for a great trip with many interesting and varied sites visited.

Bob and Nan R. El Alamein October 2015

Our annual October tour to El Alamein went ahead as usual with everyone enjoying themselves. Before leaving Cairo, we arranged for our guests to sit at Churchill’s and Montgomery’s desks, a real treat with very few getting the opportunity. We only had three special requests for this tour from a RAF enthusiast – to visit the old airfields of Sidi Haniesh and Fuka, and on the way back to Cairo one of the El Daba airfields. The first two were both attacked by the Special Air Service. Our guests were lucky enough to find bullets at both sites. “Thanks for the photo! Yes, we arrived home safe and sound. What a wonderful time we had! The tour was everything we hoped for and more. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and carting us about on the north coast of Egypt . . . an adventure we will always remember.

John and Alyson El Alamein October 2015

We had a really lovely time on the tour - it was certainly a very thoughtprovoking and moving experience in many different respects e.g., seeing the actual sites of the battles, the cemeteries, the environmental factors (the rubbish), the traffic, the hospital for all those poor horses (I'd thought beforehand it was a museum displaying treatment given during the various wars). Finishing with the meal & trip on the Nile was a good idea as we went out on a high. The hotels certainly exceeded our expectations as we never stay anywhere so grand - usually B&B or Travelodge’s! We enjoyed the company of the other travellers & felt we gelled well together. We are now reading your booklet which gives an excellent guide to the background & details of the battles. Anyway, thanks for making the whole tour a very meaningful, well-coordinated & varied experience. We will be thinking about it for a long time to come. Let us hope some effort is made to preserve the battle zones

Brian El Alamein October 2015

Just want to say thanks very much for an excellent tour as well. Well organised and very enjoyable

Richard. El Alamein October 2015

It was great Steve, thanks for putting it together.

Craig Kasserine September 2014

Want to thank you again for a great trip. Enjoyed hearing about the history of the war in Tunisia, along with seeing the actual sites. Your crew did a great job as well. My best to everyone

Dave Kasserine September 2014

It was a great trip largely because of your expertise and the team you have put together. So, thanks

Mr and Mrs Rudd Kasserine May 2014

Steve was a wonderful guide. We loved getting out on the back roads of Tunisia, meeting locals, eating lunch at roadside cafes, and learning history while immersed in Tunisian culture. We enjoyed visits to ancient history sites, along with the WWII itinerary. A bonus!

Lt-Col Colin B the Royal Hampshire Regiment Trust Tigers in Tunisia

Thank you for a most memorable battlefield tour. I found it to be extremely informative and enormous fun. The museum hopefully will re-open next week (which is why I am still up to my eyeballs in work and have not written earlier) and what you showed us will have given me much greater authority and confidence to talk about the Hampshire Regiment in Tunisia. The organisation of your tour was excellent, the arrangements were impeccable, and it was just a brilliant, relaxed atmosphere that did everything that we asked and more.

Geoff P. Tigers in Tunisia

I just wanted to say a huge “Thank You” to you for all your hard work in making our trip so informative and so personal. I must admit to feeling quite proud when I see the front cover of the booklet you prepared for us, with the monument to Hunts Gap. I have been showing the photos I took to the family and friends, and I must say I still get quite emotional looking at the ones of the Beja cemetery. Despite the emotion, I also feel more settled in myself – it is very strange to be able to visualise the reality now of what has so far been pure imagination. Seeing all those gravestones I just thank God I have never had to go through anything like that. When I look at my children and grandchildren, it is sad to think of the generations lost through the deaths of all those young men - I had the most amazing time and have a whole new perspective on Tunisia as a country as well as a better understanding of the events there in 1942/43. As you can imagine, there were many emotional moments and I feel particularly privileged to have been asked to lay the commemorative wreath at Beja War Cemetery.

Natalie D. El Alamein 70th Anniversary

I thoroughly enjoyed my trip with the veterans to Egypt and I know my father and his partner did too. I thought your input made the trip; your knowledge and the way that you presented iJust wanted to send you an e mail to thank you again for giving me the trip of a lifetime - no make that a trip in a thousand lifetimes! I had a fantastic time and enjoyed every single second of everything that we did! You really did make a dream come true; it was EVEN better than I even dared to dream. Rest assured that I am now making every effort to save up the cash for another tour and as soon as I can be going back! Please send my warmest wishes and deepest gratitude too, to Talal for his part in making the tour so fantastic. I have never felt on such a high and in such GOOD company as in this last week. I will be writing to Manfred very soon to thank him for the special gift and to tell him what a great time I had, in fact I think I will be telling EVERYBODY, whether they are interested or not!!Thank you again, for such a marvellous time I don't think you will ever know how much I really enjoyed myself, CANNOT WAIT TIL THE NEXT TIME!!!!!t to us was wonderful.

Kate R. El Alamein 70th Anniversary

Both Dad and I had a great trip thanks to all your organisation. He loved it and when I spoke to him yesterday was full of it. Cannot thank you enough for that, and for your patience in putting up with the slow pace of things! Big, big thanks

Judith M. El Alamein 70th Anniversary

could have hoped for and it has left me with a lot greater understanding of the key part of my father's war, the El Alamein battle and Egypt generally. I am so glad we made the trip.

Don W., Orange County, California. El Alamein 70th Anniversary

I found the entire trip to Tunisia exciting, challenging, adventurous, eye opening, and educational, in no small part due to your involvement. For that I thank you and wish you the best in your future endeavours.

Norman C. El Alamein 70th Anniversary

Once again, my heartfelt thanks for including me on the trip, I would not have missed it for the earth.

Tony D. El Alamein 70th Anniversary

I trust all is well at your end and your tours are continuing to do well with plenty of interesting people. We had a fantastic time and largely thanks to you and Talal – they will be memories treasured for ever.

Michael N. El Alamein 70th Anniversary

Thanks also for a great trip, and I really appreciated your overall effort and talks about the battlefields.

Bob F. El Alamein 70th Anniversary

Thanks also for a great trip, and I really appreciated your overall effort and talks about All the best and thanks once again to both of you for your help and friendship on the tour. Well remembered and much appreciated.the battlefields.

Alan D. El Alamein 70th Anniversary

All the best and thanks once again to both of you for your help and friendship on the tour. Well remembered and much appreciated.

Richard P. El Alamein 70th Anniversary

I had a wonderful time. It was really interesting, and I learnt a lot.

Tina W. El Alamein 70th Anniversary

Judy U. El Alamein 70th Anniversary

Thank you for the most exceptional tour (following in the footsteps of my Father Major General Roy Urquhart). It answered many questions and provided unforgettable sights and experiences not to be forgotten. You were a great and inexhaustible guide and continuous fund of information. I felt incredibly lucky to have found your tour and cannot imagine a better leader. We were a good group aided by the Mohammed's and the trusty minibus - with five-star hotels appearing out of nowhere. Altogether an amazing week.

2nd New Zealand Division in North Africa

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