The inevitable sadness of Oradour-sur-Glane
#1
Original Poster
The inevitable sadness of Oradour-sur-Glane
I have been to the martyred town or Oradour perhaps 3 times in my life, most recently last Monday. It is about 25km from Limoges, which is an area almost completely spared during World War II.
Unfortunately, D-Day on June 6, 1944 started certain things in motion, and the horrible massacre of Oradour took place on June 10, 1944. The ruins are still in place, and here is my report of the latest visit: http://tinyurl.com/oradourglane
Unfortunately, D-Day on June 6, 1944 started certain things in motion, and the horrible massacre of Oradour took place on June 10, 1944. The ruins are still in place, and here is my report of the latest visit: http://tinyurl.com/oradourglane
#4
Thank you for this. My husband and I visited a few years ago and your report answered one of the questions I had at the time. I had thought the new town would be very depressing to live in and wondered why it had been built right there with the permanent reminder of the tragedy always in view.
#5
Original Poster
I do understand what was behind that decision, but clearly they didn't think it through properly. But who could think straight about such things right after the war? It was so important to prove to the world that "we will survive" even if Gloria Gaynor had not yet been born.
#10
Kerouac, thank you.
I didn't know about Oradour-sur- Glane,
That must have been a heart wrenching visit & piece to write. At the same time, affirming & a salute to the survivors' spirit to see new life growing in Oradour-sur-Glane.
I didn't know about Oradour-sur- Glane,
That must have been a heart wrenching visit & piece to write. At the same time, affirming & a salute to the survivors' spirit to see new life growing in Oradour-sur-Glane.
#12
We were there in 2012. A memorable, and somber, experience to be sure. As I said in my trip report, "We were very impressed how this museum was set up and how it explained, in great detail, the history of those turbulent and terrible years." Definitely something that has stayed with me long since we visited.
#13
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Thanks, kerouac. I am embarrassed to say I was not familiar with this horrific event. It's heartbreaking. I appreciate being made aware of this and just hope to be worthy of the fortunate life I have. As always, you bring a lot of good to the forum.
#16
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What was interesting about Auschwitz, is the same thing that gets to most people. It is not the railroad siding or the bunks or the collapsed gas chambers as much as the exhibition cases of glasses, suitcases, and hairbrushes. It humanizes what occurred. (Disclaimer:I am not Kahn nor did I accompany her to Auschwitz.)
#17
Thank you for the report, Kerouac. I visited Oradour-sur-Glane several years ago. Unforgettable.
We stayed overnight in the new town and there was some sort of high school(?) festival happening while we were there.
We stayed overnight in the new town and there was some sort of high school(?) festival happening while we were there.
#18
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What got to me at Auschwitz was the size of Birkenau (Auschwitz II). Some tours just go to Auschwitz I, which has been developed as a museum with exhibits and the piles of glasses, suitcases, etc.). Birkenau was what got to me and the blurred photo that a Pole took and attempted to give to the outside world. It was of naked women standing outside the gas chamber waiting for the gas chamber. Unfortunately, the photo never made it to the allies.
There is a lot of walking at Auschwitz, so be prepared.
There is a lot of walking at Auschwitz, so be prepared.
#20
Original Poster
The official reason for the massacre was to keep the French resistance subdued since the D-Day landings had just occurred. Killing innocent people was generally more effective for that than just killing captured resistants, who expected to die anyway.