Oradour sur Glane

French History

Oradour sur Glane

Weedon 03/01/2008, 17:00

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

Re: Oradour sur Glanes

Scooby 03/01/2008, 19:23
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.

Re: Oradour sur Glanes

Tony & Sue 03/01/2008, 21:08

Hi,

Re: Oradour sur Glanes

nectarine 04/01/2008, 9:14

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.

Re: Oradour sur Glanes

Northender 04/01/2008, 10:32

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.

Re: Oradour sur Glanes

Dick Smith 04/01/2008, 10:47
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

Re: Oradour sur Glanes

Fleur 04/01/2008, 11:29

"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

Re: Oradour sur Glanes

Weedon 04/01/2008, 11:31

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?

Re: Oradour sur Glanes

Dick Smith 04/01/2008, 11:47
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

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