We’ll See You on the Battlefield: Four Steps for Planning Your Trip
It has been my pleasure and privilege to visit battlefields on three continents, covering actions from 1775 to 1945. Sometimes I have gone to visit places I am writing about, other times I have gone to learn about places I have long read about. Sometimes I have led tours or staff rides, other times helping colleagues explore a battlefield or a sector in considerable depth. Other times, I have taken family and friends for a very brief overview. In all cases, those battlefield trips were time well spent.
In all of the trips, I follow this same basic process. These steps are as cursory or involved as needed.
I. PLANNING. Answer such key questions as: When/where am I going? For how long and with who? How detailed is this going to be? Will we focus on the field as a whole, a segment, or other? What is the objective of the trip?
II. PREPARATION. Based on the answers in Phase I, research as much as you need about the battlefield and the action so you can have a basic itinerary and idea of what you will plan to see.
III. EXECUTION. This is the fun one – get out and explore the battlefield! Follow your plan, but keep some flexibility for traffic, unexpected opportunities, etc.
IV. REVIEW. This is a period of formal or informal reflection, perhaps revisiting some of the sources consulted in Phase II.
Perhaps this may help you plan your next battlefield visit.
