A Bridge Too Far...

iPhone and iPad users can now visit renowned battlefields and historical sites from the comfort of their armchair, thanks to a new app launched today.

“Pocket Tours” uses the full suite of functionality available to the iPhone to bring history to life, allowing users to view photographs, hear original sound clips and see film footage, whilst hearing from world-renowned historians what happened, who was involved and how history was shaped.

It is then possible for those that have the opportunity to visit the battlefield or region and undertake a GPS guided tour whilst listening to the commentary and seeing where historic events took place through the live camera.

The company is led by North East Entrepreneur, Mark Jackson, “Pocket Tours” is the world’s first battlefield tour app which is able to use all of the pioneering capability of the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch.

He said: “Imagine walking over the ground that shaped history alongside an expert who can explain the events as they unfolded. The GPS feature guides you from point to point using the knowledge of the historians to make sure you see things from the best vantage points. This makes a tour of the battlefields accessible to anyone, anywhere at any time.”

Once downloaded, users don’t need costly and often slow internet access to use the app. They can just plug in their headphones and immerse themselves in the story as it unfolds. If you can’t get to the battlefield that’s fine – the app is still an illuminating and engrossing account  in its own right.

The first tour covers the largest Airborne Campaign of all time. The Battle of Arnhem, “A Bridge Too Far”. You will find out why it failed, you will hear stories of the hero’s and you will begin to understand why the mistakes that were made arguably prolonged World War II by up to 9 months.

Now that the initial platform has been tried and tested there are many other applications in the pipeline. In Europe there is the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Normandy. The Battle of Flodden is almost complete and the use of the app has been extended to offer alternatives such as a Historic Tour of Scarborough or the story of the Holocaust. Negotiations are currently under way with many other interested individuals to extend the range much further. The opportunities are almost limitless.

As Mark has been an active member of the Territorial Army for over 26 years he has agreed with General Sir Evelyn Webb-Carter KCVO, OBE, DL the Chief Executive of the ABF “The Soldiers Charity” to use the app to help generate funds for the charity. Appropriate future releases will have special features which will allow users to make a donation directly from the application for which they will receive special exclusive additional content. General Evelyn summed it up “ This is cutting edge stuff and is a really fantastic way to study or visit a battlefield. It is a most exciting development with huge potential.”   

Ends

For more information contact Mark Jackson, mark@pocket-tours.co.uk or visit the website www.pocket-tours.co.uk

You Tube http://tinyurl.com/pt-arnhem

iStore http://tinyurl.com/battlefield-tour-arnhem

Pocket tours – The Team

Mark Jackson  TD MBA, BEng (Hons), CEng, FIMechE

Mark is currently leading a North Eastern operation supporting organisations involved in innovation or requiring business development support. The company was created specifically to deliver commercially a skill set that has been developed in large organisations over the last 15 years in the field of high tech business growth. An internationally recognised proven track record offers expertise which is being transferred to numerous different organisational situations. Pocket Tours is one example of an Innovative way of using technology to make life better.

John Greenacre PhD MA MCMI MCGI

Dr John Greenacre was in the Army for 24 years. As a helicopter pilot he deployed on operations during the Gulf War, to the Balkans and Northern Ireland. He has also worked in Germany, Canada, the Falkland Islands and Kenya in areas from procurement to arms control. 'I am very enthusiastic about this application and that is why I am happy to be involved in its development', said Dr John Greenacre, a published historian and battlefield guide. 'The application does more than take the user from point to point, it immerses you in the historical context with text and voice descriptions, photographs, video and sound clips and the iPhone's augmented reality to create an environment where you can really appreciate pa