Oradour sur Glane
September 14th
Drove on to Oradour sur Glane, the scene of one of the worst un-reported attrocites that occurred towards the end of World War II. The entire population of the village ~ 642 men, women and children, were massacred by a troop of 200 German SS over a 3 hour period, on the afternoon of 10 June 1944. Over 330 houses, bars, restaurants, a hotel, the church , tram station and cars were set on fire. The ruins of the village stand as a memorial to that dreadful day.
Most poignant are the houses, most with a sewing machine in the ruins, and the Doctor’s car, left rusting where it was parked over 60 years ago, as he made his final house call.
The tragedy of Oradour sur Glane is that it was probably a dreadful mistake. There are several villages in the area also named Oradour, and the Germans were probably trying to crush the Resistance in another village, and through an administrative mistake, went to the wrong one.
We camped at our first Aire at Oradour sur Glane. Aires are purpose built or designated areas for campervans to stay overnight. They are usually free and provide basic amenities ~ water, sanitary disposal points and sometimes electricity. This Aire was very well appointed.
Drove on to Oradour sur Glane, the scene of one of the worst un-reported attrocites that occurred towards the end of World War II. The entire population of the village ~ 642 men, women and children, were massacred by a troop of 200 German SS over a 3 hour period, on the afternoon of 10 June 1944. Over 330 houses, bars, restaurants, a hotel, the church , tram station and cars were set on fire. The ruins of the village stand as a memorial to that dreadful day.
Most poignant are the houses, most with a sewing machine in the ruins, and the Doctor’s car, left rusting where it was parked over 60 years ago, as he made his final house call.
The tragedy of Oradour sur Glane is that it was probably a dreadful mistake. There are several villages in the area also named Oradour, and the Germans were probably trying to crush the Resistance in another village, and through an administrative mistake, went to the wrong one.
We camped at our first Aire at Oradour sur Glane. Aires are purpose built or designated areas for campervans to stay overnight. They are usually free and provide basic amenities ~ water, sanitary disposal points and sometimes electricity. This Aire was very well appointed.
posted by Chris @ 11:03 AM
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