Salonika Campaign Society Battlefield Tour – September 2026

There are just a few places still available on the Salonika Campaign Society Battlefield Tour this coming September. So, if you have never explored the old haunts of the British Salonika Force or fancy making a return, here’s your chance!

Led by Alan Wakefield, the Salonika Campaign Society is offering a chance to visit key sites associated with British efforts during the Salonika Campaign, 1915-1918. The overall theme of the tour will be the role of the Royal Engineers with the British Salonika Force. Locations will include the Doiran battlefield, where the BSF suffered 35% of its total battle casualties, the Struma Valley, where XVI Corps faced the threat of endemic malaria as well as their Bulgarian adversaries and Kosturino Ridge, where 10th (Irish) Division made a stand in the Winter of 1915. Time will also be spent on the Birdcage Line, built to defend the city and port of Salonika from Bulgarian attack in 1915-1916. We will also attend commemorations to remember all those who served and died during the campaign.

Proposed itinerary

Salonika Campaign Society Battlefield Tour
20 – 29 September 2026
The ‘Sappers in Salonika’ Tour

Sunday 20 September
• Tour begins late morning with meeting at Thessaloniki airport
• Ceremony of Remembrance at CWGC Kirechkoi-Hortakoi Military Cemetery
• Overnight in Doiran

Monday 21 September
• Visits to La Tortue; Petit Couronne; Hill 340 – to include RE involvement in raids and major operations against Petit Couronne
• Overnight in Doiran

Tuesday 22 September
• A Day on Kosturino Ridge
– Rocky Peak and Ormanli village
– Memesli village
– Site of Kajali village
– Crete Rivet and Crete Simonet
– 10th (Irish) Division Memorial
• Overnight in Doiran

Wednesday 23 September
• Visit the 22nd Division Memorial
• Visit to the ‘Devil’s Eye’ Observation Post on Grand Couronne
• Visit to The Hilt – key position in Bulgarian second line
• Overnight in Doiran

Thursday 24 September
• Doiran Memorial & Cemetery
• Dova Tepe Fort in Krusha Balkan Hills
• Triada – British artillery position (Struma campaign overview)
• Outpost Line – Between villages of Anagennisi (Cuculuk) / Vamvakia (Nevolyen) / Neo Tyroloi (Topolova)
• Overnight in Serres

Friday 25 September
• Komarjan Bridge – a study of RE bridging & river crossing methods
• Kilo 70 old Serres Road – RE work on Line of Communication
• CWGC Struma Cemetery & XVI Corps HQ
• Visit to Strimoniko (formerly Orliak) to discuss RE role in signals and lines of communications
• Overnight in Kilkis

Saturday 26 September
• Horseshoe Hill (7th Ox & Bucks action 17-18 August 1916)
• Pip Ridge (from the Greek side)
• Bowls Barrow [time allowing]
• Overnight in Kilkis

Sunday 27 September
• Attend Official Commemorations at the Five Nations Memorial, Polykastro
• CWGC Karasouli Cemetery
• Kilindir (now Kilindria) railway station – to discuss RE role in railway operating
• Overnight in Thessaloniki

Monday 28 September
• Birdcage line – including 99th Field Coy. bridge position
• Lembet Road Allied Military Cemetery
• Thessaloniki Port
• Overnight in Thessaloniki

Tuesday 29 September
• End of tour

If you are interested in joining the tour please contact SCS Chair, Alan Wakefield, for further details: aj.wakefield[at]talktalk.net or via our contact page.