THE War Research Society has been running short breaks to Europe for 30 years and this year will be organising a number of trips to famous battlefield sites across France, Belgium, Holland and Germany covering both First and Second World War events.

During the last week in July, the society is taking a coach to visit Colditz Castle and two of the famous dams attacked by the Dambusters in May of 1943.

These are located among beautiful scenery similar to the Lake District and Colditz Castle is a most interesting and fascinating place, again set in a pleasant environment.

Visits to Buchenwald Concentration Camp and the Reichswald Forest Cemetery are also being undertaken.

Learn more about the bouncing bomb, how it worked and more about its genius of a designer, Barnes Wallis, and his unique life and work.

All the five-day trips feature good- quality hotels with breakfast and evening meal provided in the price. The society is a voluntary organisation which supports many local and national charities. Come and see the sites. All trips have guides who will explain points of interest.

Second World War veterans may be eligible for a payment from the Lottery that will cover most of the cost of the trip for themselves and their spouse and/ or carer. Application for funding ends on May 31.

For more information, ring Alex Bulloch on 0121 459 9008 or send a SAE to The War Research Society, 43 Norfolk Place, Kings Norton, Birmingham, B30 3LB or go to www.battlefieldtours.org.uk on the internet.

Tony Knight,

Burman Road,

Shirley,

Solihill,

West Midlands.

Updated: 11:32 Tuesday, March 29, 2005