Le Mans to Berlin and a bit beyond

[Wapping]

Past the memorial there is a very good set of modern story boards, telling the history of the battle, some of the people involved and the cemetery’s creation creation through the efforts of one priest to bring all the bodies into one dignified resting place. I have included the snaps I took. One though I’ll hold back until the end:



The SS Dirlewanger Brigade mentioned above were, in essence a ‘private army’ responsible for many of the most appalling war crimes on the Eastern Front and later in the putting down of Warsaw Uprising ‘44.

 

[Wapping]

The priest and the creation of the cemetery:



To be continued…..

 

[Wapping]

As the posts above suggest, the cemetery is huge, laid out in 11 blocks:



It is very neatly kept, with no excuses, justification or apologies given. Nor indeed does there need to be.

 

[Wapping]

I have saved one picture for last.

In one of the accounts of the battle that I had read in a book, there was an all but horrendous account from a young girl’s memories. I think I posted them previously in another thread, as it sums up the suffering of the innocents caught up in the maelstrom of death and destruction. It’s a scene that must have been repeated in countless towns, cities and villages across the globe:

It’s maybe worth repeating, only for one reason:





By chance, there is a picture of the Feitsch family on the information boards. As is common, the spelling of the name differs, but the words attached to the board confirmed to me that it’s the same family:

 

[Wapping]

Wednesday…, and a possible change of plan…..

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

Wednesday…, and a possible change of plan…..

You're only a couple of hours from....

 

[Wapping]

You're only a couple of hours from....

I know. But, I’ve replanned it for a second visit…

I really like the area and want to see a bit more.