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03/01/2008, 17:00 Weedon Joined on 23/08/2004 Laval (53) Posts 1,122 Oradour sur Glane I know there was some discussion a while back about this village but I am not sure if this information was shown at that time.  For those who have not been there you can see it here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LLKv38kOrI    Report

03/01/2008, 19:23 Scooby Joined on 25/09/2007 Peak District Posts 244 Re: Oradour sur Glanes Thanks Weedon.  We visited Oradour last Christmas with my brother and his family (it's only an hour or so from us) and we found the place disturbing, moving and poignant.  Unfortunately, as our visit was over the Christmas period, the main museum was closed so were are hoping to return this summer with our (french) neighbours.  Our neighbour's mum (still alive and living in the village) had friends in Oradour at the time of the massacre.   The most poignant part of our visit was visiting the parallel town (alive and bustling) and seeing the same names over the shops that we had just seen on the memorial - clearly son, daughters, grandchildren etc of those killed in the massacre.  It takes a strong character to live alongside such a tragedy but still move on with your life.    Report

03/01/2008, 21:08 Tony & Sue Joined on 26/09/2004 France Dept 87 Posts 42 Re: Oradour sur Glanes Hi, You may like to visit this site too. http:// www.oradour.info/  A sobering experience, but well worthwhile nonetheless. Best regards,   Tony        Report

04/01/2008, 9:14 nectarine Joined on 02/08/2007 London & Lot-et-Garonne Posts 179 Re: Oradour sur Glanes I've visited Oradour twice and each time have been so moved about the tragedy.  Am I right in thinking that the town was awarded the 'Croix de Honneur' or some medal to acknowledge the sacrifice it made during the war, but that the townspeople declined to accept the medal since they were disgusted with the political cover-up that had taken place and the fact that the principal officers of the SS were never brought to justice? Mr. Nectarine also thinks that Oradour was in the news again recently, when one of the SS officers who ordered the massacre died - peacefully in his sleep after a long and untroubled retirement.  He cannot remember where he heard this news - French radio perhaps?   If you look like your passport picture, then you probably need the holiday.    Report

04/01/2008, 10:32 Northender Joined on 24/01/2007 NW England/Lot Posts 47 Re: Oradour sur Glanes I too was deeply moved when I , together with a group of friends visited the site in 1992. We had just spent 2 weeks taking down a barn roof on a property (in the Lot) my wife and I had purchased earlier in the year. I had read an article in the Times supplement about the tragedy and the conspiracy theories surrounding the motive for such an outrage. We stayed in an hotel in Limoges the night before the visit on our way home.Myself and 3 friends (all male) rose early and arrived at Oradour before 8am on a cool , misty October morning. The low gate across the road was closed , as was the wooden office but unable to ascertain what time it opened and the fact we had a ferry to catch later that day we , I'm ashamed to admit , vaulted over the gate and made our way into the village. We passed the church which was locked and made our way into the village when one of my friends asked us all to stop and just listen. The total silence was just eerie , not even any birds singing. I have heard of this phenomenon before in places like the Second World War concentration camps. Do buildings , natural structures have memories? It is certainly a place that will stay in my memory.    Report

04/01/2008, 10:47 Dick Smith Joined on 23/08/2004 Surrey and Manche (Pays Mortainais) Posts 8,731 Re: Oradour sur Glanes The reason why some of the SS officers were never prosecuted was because they were Alsaciens, and at the end of the war the French government saw national unity as more important. As you say, that was controversial then and now, but understandable. The time I was there I must say that the behaviour of some English tourists was despicable, allowing children to run about, talking loudly and children actually playing on the lieus de supplice. But it is a very moving place to visit. Ironically, for the many of you who live in Manche, the SS division that carried out the massacre were themselves almost wiped out in the German counter-offensive at Mortain in August 1944. Regards Dick Smith Nowhere is there warmth to be found Among those afraid of losing their ground    Report

04/01/2008, 11:29 Fleur Joined on 23/08/2004 Dordogne Posts 102 Re: Oradour sur Glanes "Do buildings , natural structures have memories?" This place certainly seems to feel as though they do. We found the experience moving in the extreme. It was like entering history for a short while. Speak softly and carry a big stick    Report

04/01/2008, 11:31 Weedon Joined on 23/08/2004 Laval (53) Posts 1,122 Re: Oradour sur Glanes  Dick Smith wrote: The time I was there I must say that the behaviour of some English tourists was despicable, allowing children to run about, talking loudly and children actually playing on the lieus de supplice. But it is a very moving place to visit. I wonder why that behaviour comes as no surprise?    Report

04/01/2008, 11:47 Dick Smith Joined on 23/08/2004 Surrey and Manche (Pays Mortainais) Posts 8,731 Re: Oradour sur Glanes I know - we see it a lot, don't we? And the apparent belief that no-one within earshot speaks English... Perhaps they couldn't translate the French word 'silence' - or else they think that rules don't apply to them. Regards Dick Smith Nowhere is there warmth to be found Among those afraid of losing their ground    Report

04/01/2008, 11:52 Weedon Joined on 23/08/2004 Laval (53) Posts 1,122 Re: Oradour sur Glanes Some information about resistance in 1944 here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wByXUnvH4YU It is a collection of 4 videos, a couple of which, although 8 mins in length, took far longer due to the stopping and starting (why do some videos do that?) The presenter is the brother of one of the English SAS soldiers involved, so is understandably long winded and passionate about what he is saying.  It didn't spoil it for me though as I get similar tales of the war from my dad every time I see him.    Report

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France Forum » French Culture » French History » Oradour sur Glane

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