An Oxford World War II Conference
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At a Glance
What You'll Learn
- Get insight from renowned experts, historians, authors, professors and broadcasters into the events of the Second World War with a special focus on 1941.
- Focus on the events of 1941 in lectures: the war in North Africa, the struggle against the U-Boats and the German invasion of the Soviet Union.
- Learn about the events of the war on land, sea and in the air, as well as daily life on the home front, in an expert-led discussion.
- Enjoy the ambience of an Oxford College at St Hugh's, including dinner in hall, receptions and gala dinner and a gin tasting with John Harris.
General Notes
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Activity note: Check-in from 3:00 p.m.
Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The college is within walking distance of central Oxford and Summertown, North Oxford with its cafes, restaurants, pubs, and shops. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.
Afternoon: Arrivals continue. Orientation: 6:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. This program is staffed with both a Group Leader, who will accompany us throughout the program and deal primarily with logistics, and a Study Leader who will facilitate your educational content, conduct field trips, and serve as an information resource on program-related topics. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. Due to the high profile nature of many of our speakers, most will be confirmed by the time of the first set of Preparatory Materials, however there may be changes due to reasons beyond our control. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Following the meeting, we invite you to join us for a welcome reception with wine.
Dinner: Served dinner with wine, coffee, tea, and water.
Evening: At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night's rest for the day ahead.
Breakfast: In the dining room, we'll choose from a breakfast buffet with a range of hot and cold items, as well as coffee, tea, water, and fruit juices.
Morning: We'll begin our lectures with A World at War, 1939-1941 with Dr. Spencer Jones. This will be followed by Dr. Adam Dighton on Commandos.
Lunch: In the dining room, we'll have a 2-course lunch with coffee, tea, water.
Afternoon: This afternoon's lecture will be by Ruth Polling on The Experience of American Servicemen in Britain.
Dinner: In the dining room, we'll enjoy a 3-course dinner with coffee, tea, water.
Evening: At leisure, or join Dr Spencer Jones for informal discussion.
Breakfast: In the dining room.
Morning: We will gather for two more morning lectures. Firstly we will hear from Dr. Robert Lyman on The Fall of Singapore, followed by The Battle of Midway with Professor John Buckley.
Lunch: In the dining room.
Afternoon: Our lecture this afternoon is entitled The Devil Dogs of Guadalcanal with Professor Saul David.
Dinner: Served in the dining room.
Evening: Lectures continue.
Breakfast: In the dining room.
Morning: This morning we will have lectures by Dr. Kate Vigurs on SOE in occupied Europe followed by The Battle of the Atlantic with Dr. Spencer Jones
Lunch: In the dining room.
Afternoon: This afternoon we will have a guided walk of Oxford with John Harris.
Dinner: Served in the dining room.
Evening: After dinner this evening, we’ll join John Harris for an expert-led drinks tasting.
Breakfast: In the dining room.
Morning: Morning lectures today are: Disaster at Dieppe with Dr. James Jeffries , followed by El Alamein with Dr. Stuart Mitchell.
Lunch: In the dining room.
Afternoon: This afternoon's lecture is Operation Millennium: The First 1000 Bomber Raid with Dr. Victoria Taylor.
Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening: Free time.
Breakfast: In the dining room.
Morning: Our final full day of lectures starts with Stalingrad with Professor Matthias Strohn, followed by Dr. Jonathan Krauss on Operation TORCH.
Lunch: In the dining room.
Afternoon: Lectures continue with the closing lecture by Dr. Spencer Jones.
Dinner: A gala dinner with wine served in the dining room. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity note: College check-out 10:00 a.m. See your program's "Transportation Information" regarding transfers.
Breakfast: In the dining room. Some participants may depart prior to breakfast.
Morning: Transfer to Heathrow Airport for onward flights. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!