Oradour Sur Glane

[semmyroundel]

Hi all, I travelled back through France a few weeks ago and as I had some time to spare went back to Oradour, this time to visit the museum, which I'd never visited, just the ruined village.
I was disappointed to hear that the museum part is undergoing substantial renovation and wont be ready until 3rd quarter of 2027.
The village is still open and free to visitors and there is an english guy in the reception room that explained why the Germans decided upon this Oradour and not the other to murder everyone.
I'll explain if anyone is interested.

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I’ve moved the thread.

Richard

 

[theoneandonly]

go on then.

 

[Pepsi]

Yes, please explain

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Hi all, I travelled back through France a few weeks ago and as I had some time to spare went back to Oradour, this time to visit the museum, which I'd never visited, just the ruined village.
I was disappointed to hear that the museum part is undergoing substantial renovation and wont be ready until 3rd quarter of 2027.
The village is still open and free to visitors and there is an english guy in the reception room that explained why the Germans decided upon this Oradour and not the other to murder everyone.
I'll explain if anyone is interested.

I first went to Oradour about 30+ years ago
It was just the village and the kiosk at the gate
Tell us more

 

[theoneandonly]

i have been there once , but it was packed out , so i didn't stop , i need to go again , luckily for me it is en route from a friends house .

 

[Wicker]

I was surprised to see that a number of those involved in the Oradour massacre were French nationals who were part of the Das Reich Division. The visitor centre had pictures of those identified. I think those still alive at the of the war were tried in a French court

 

[Fluffmeister]

If you have time, have a read of

Das Reich: The March of the 2nd SS Panzer Division Through France, June 1944​

 

[cbritton]

The opening episode of the ‘world at war’ series starts with the massacre at Orador.

 

[Lord Snooty]

The opening episode of the ‘world at war’ series starts with the massacre at Orador.

Yes, the flyover camera with Laurence Olivier's voiceover commentary is chilling.

 

[EKIMYRF]

Very moving place the corridor leading from the visitor centre to the village with all the pictures of the villagers that died had me in tears

 

[Mzokk]

I was surprised to see that a number of those involved in the Oradour massacre were French nationals who were part of the Das Reich Division. The visitor centre had pictures of those identified. I think those still alive at the of the war were tried in a French court

Most were from the Alsace region of France and claimed they were forcibly conscripted. They were put on trial in 1953 and sentenced to lengthy prison terms. There was uproar in Alsace and the French government allowed an amnesty for French nationals conscripted into the German forces. So they all got out a year or so later. The commanding SS officer was killed in combat before the end of the war.

 

[Mzokk]

Yes and a very thought provoking place. Just shows the potential for ordinary people to do horrible things.

 

[Burridge01]

Yes and a very thought provoking place. Just shows the potential for ordinary people to do horrible things.

Really is a sad place.
Couple of photos I took on a very somber visit.

 

[EKIMYRF]

Can we please just drop the flagshagger rubbish it has no place on this thread
Take it elsewhere

We all know what everyone means

 

[snelly]

Really is a sad place.
Couple of photos I took on a very somber visit.

We rode from the GP at Estoril over to the Bol at Nevers one year; we called at Sur Glane on the way; it was another place i did'nt feel right getting my camera out;; ive been to other places and felt the same over the years; like othershave said they need to be done for proper perspective on lifes evil. I'am not knocking your photo's which are good; it was just me personally;

 

[Aidan1150]

I agree with you @snelly I didn't use my camera at all in Dachau a couple of years ago, it just didn't feel right.

 

[ATT]

I visited many years back, I spoke with a very old German man I met in the village nearby, it was a very interesting conversation that we had....It changed my entire perception of the German people, the people who had tried to kill my Grandfather on numerous occasions.

My Grandfather is my guardian angel....I know this, I also know it may seem strange to some, me mentioning something like this, but there are some things in life that cannot be adequately explained and just do not make sense....But this does to me and it is a giant leap of faith for me and so far it is 100% right in every way.

I can only equate it to the fact that we are all human, it matters not from whence you came, we are all Brothers, the same, we always have been and always will be, the truth will out ....It is just a matter of time.

 

[Loiq]

the things that really interesting, alot of the germans after the war... volunteered for the legion... and ended up fighting for the frogs in all manner of places... from north africa to vietnam

so without them the french would never have won a fucking raffle...

 

[Burridge01]

We rode from the GP at Estoril over to the Bol at Nevers one year; we called at Sur Glane on the way; it was another place i did'nt feel right getting my camera out;; ive been to other places and felt the same over the years; like othershave said they need to be done for proper perspective on lifes evil. I'am not knocking your photo's which are good; it was just me personally;

I agree to a certain extent, these places are all well documented but taking a few photos jogs the memories of my travels and shows others who aren't aware of these things the atrocities that occurred. I drew the line at the church,as you say,didn't feel right.

 

[Wapping]

Can we please just drop the flagshagger rubbish it has no place on this thread
Take it elsewhere

We all know what everyone means

Thank you.

If it continues, the thread will be edited and parts moved to the pub, where bods can do and say whatever they like.

Richard