ORADOUR-SUR-GLANE
France
After the flames went out
(1)
The chances are that you are only visiting this page out of curiosity. All you can see photos of derelict buildings,
rusting cars and a shell of a church. So what is this all about?
Oradour-Sur-Glane was the site of one of the most horrendous of German War Atrocities. On 7th June 1944, the local Resistance
blew up a bridge at Saint-Junien hoping to stop the movements of a SS Armoured Division on their way to encounter
Allied forces after D Day. Several soldiers were killed and an SS Commandant was taken prisoner.
As retaliation the SS were ordered to raze a village to the ground. Initially choosing Saint-Junien, it was decided that
there could be too much opposition, so another was chosen. This Oradour-Sur-Glane. All through the war Oradour had been
basically left alone. No Germans were stationed there and they never had any need to visit the quiet village, until now.
All the villagers and the inhabitants from the surrounding hamlets were gathered together in the town square. There was an air of calm
as there was nothing to fear. After all, it was only a check by the Germans. Only when the men were separated and forced into
a barn did the worries start. The women and children were then led into the Church. Within minutes the Church was set alight and
the inhabitants of the barn were shot. A few managed to escape but six hundred and forty two people perished that day.
The village was then plundered and also set alight and left to burn.
What you see today is how it was left after the flames went out.
When you enter the village you immediately get a sense of sadness and loss. I have been to other war sites across Europe,
but nothing compares in atmosphere as this. Not even Auschwitz.
The child's pram in the Church. The photos of the victims, all staring at you asking why? The doctors' car slowly rusting away,
the overhead tram cables waiting for the next tram. It will never arrive. Life stopped when the Germans came, and so did the village.
Charles De Gaulle declared that the remains should be left as a reminder of what man can do to his fellow man and another Oradour was built.
Not many people are aware of Oradour, even less visit. Fortunately few of us experience war, but this is the closest you will ever
get to feel the effects of war. Should you ever be in the vicinity of Limoges, be sure to go. I assure you the memory will stay with you forever.
It has with me.
Written by Keith Hartwell
Please note the following images have been taken from a camcorder and as such are not suitable for reproduction.
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