Bigggie Posted April 7, 2000 Share Posted April 7, 2000 I remember reading about a town in westen France that was the sight of a WWII massacre. As the Germans were withdrawing, they murdered every single resident of the town. The town itself has been left exactly as it was discovered by the allies. Not a thing has been changed, and (if I remember correctly) people can visit the town and explore on their own. I ask this because I will be in France this summer, and I think it would be interesting to see what a 1944 French villiage looks like. Unfortunately, I can not remember the name of this town. Does anyone know about this? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PanzerLeader Posted April 7, 2000 Share Posted April 7, 2000 You're probably thinking about Oradour-sur-Glane. There isn't much left though! AFAIK typical french villages haven't changed much in the past 50-60 years, you won't find anything truly exceptional in Oradour I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnus Posted April 8, 2000 Share Posted April 8, 2000 <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>You're probably thinking about Oradour-sur-Glane<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Well, not necessarily... The massacre at ORADOUR-sur-GLANE took place on 10th June 1944, but bigggie might also be talking about the massacre at Maillé, on 25th August 1944. This one tend to be forgotten as on the same day Paris was liberated. I get some info about Maillé, so if you could remember which one you're looking for Biggie, please advise. For now you can visit these pages ( in french ! ) : * About Maillé, http://perso.club-internet.fr/acroy/ * About Oradour-sur-Glane, http://perso.wanadoo.fr/bernard.baudy/ Regards, Magnus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnus Posted April 8, 2000 Share Posted April 8, 2000 Grrrrr, seems that something had gone wrong with this message, sorry about that ;( [This message has been edited by Magnus (edited 04-10-2000).] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnus Posted April 8, 2000 Share Posted April 8, 2000 N/T [This message has been edited by Magnus (edited 04-10-2000).] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xavier Posted April 8, 2000 Share Posted April 8, 2000 I think it's effectively Oradour-sur-Glane near Limoge. I have visited this ghost village in 1996 and it was very impressive. you can see old cars, old telegraphic posts, tools, toys in the rubbles...I think it's important to take time to visit such a place. This massacre was performed by some elements of a ss division("Das Reich, or "Grossdeutschland" I don't remember...).It was a punitive expedition after some actions of the Résistance against this division in the area.Few days before this massacre, the french "maquisards" had killed a german officer in an ambush. This officer was a veteran hero of the russian front and was very popular among his men...(in H. Amouroux, "Histoire des français sous l'occupation") Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fionn Posted April 8, 2000 Share Posted April 8, 2000 For the record GD was a HEER division and not a Wehrmacht division. People often get that wrong but it is an important thing not to get wrong. The division involved was 2nd SS Das Reich. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stef Posted April 9, 2000 Share Posted April 9, 2000 <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Bigggie: I remember reading about a town in westen France that was the sight of a WWII massacre. As the Germans were withdrawing, they murdered every single resident of the town. The town itself has been left exactly as it was discovered by the allies. Not a thing has been changed, and (if I remember correctly) people can visit the town and explore on their own. I ask this because I will be in France this summer, and I think it would be interesting to see what a 1944 French villiage looks like. Unfortunately, I can not remember the name of this town. Does anyone know about this? Thanks. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> If you want to see typical old villages (39-45)+ WWII stuffs other than the one from France and drink good beers ( and not afraid by geting a big belly due to beers and meat have a trip to Belgium's Ardenne(Battle of the Bulge). There's a bunch of very good WWII museum such in La Gleize ( last resort of Peipers's kampfgruppe before they withdrew), Mardasson museum in Bastogne, Tigers II in la Gleize, HT in Stavelot,... I can provide/advise you with maps, adresses, beer to taste, meat to eat,...In france you also have the great tank museum of Saumure. Stephan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PanzerLeader Posted April 9, 2000 Share Posted April 9, 2000 Fionn, what is actually the difference between the Heer (land army) and the Wehrmacht (land army as well I believe)? Didn't you mean "SS" instead? Just curious, I've never heard of any difference between "Heer" divisions and Wehrmacht divisions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fionn Posted April 9, 2000 Share Posted April 9, 2000 Oops, yes I meant "It was a HEER and not an SS division". Wehrmacht = Armed Forces. Heer= Land-based Armed Forces. So really the Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, heer and SS were all branches of the Wehrmacht and people who use the term Wehrmacht to describe the Heer are entymologically incorrect but its only a minor point really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PanzerLeader Posted April 9, 2000 Share Posted April 9, 2000 So you mean that SS was a part of the Wehrmacht? Sounds strange to me...I thought the SS were a completely separate organization. I guess I've always confused Heer and Wehrmacht then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigggie Posted April 9, 2000 Author Share Posted April 9, 2000 Thanks for the responses. The town that I was thinking of was Oradour-sur-Glane. I was able to find the site where I had originally read about it: http://www.softadventure.net/oradour.htm It has some interesting pictures and background info if anyone is curious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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