The Oradour-sur-Glane Massacre on 10 June 1944

One of the reasons I believe passionately in the European Union is because it has kept us safe from conflict. At least it has in Europe. Not so of course in other parts of the world. (There have been civil wars in Europe, notably in the Balkans, but since the Second World War we have been at peace. Long may it continue.)

Many years ago, whilst watching the superb ITV production of 'The World at War' I learned of the incredibly Nazi destructive and murderous campaign that wiped out the lovely small town of Oradour-sur-Glane. It lies to the north west of the city of Limoges in central France.

Some background, for those who don't know about this human tragedy…

Four days after the D-Day landings in Normandy, on the 10th of June 1944, the Nazis murdered 642 men, women and children. The youngest child was eight days old. Not only did they murder all of the civilians (note: not some of them but all of them) they raized every building in the town to the ground.

In memory of those who died the French people decided to leave the ruins for those who follow, to see the horrendous devastation, as a memorial to the fallen. To this day, and all the days of the future, this lovely prosperous little town has been left for all of us the remember what happened here all those years ago.

MY VISIT

On my visit I took photographs of the exhibition and the devastated town. Everything in the town has been left in the exact position it ended up in. Nothing has been moved and it remains exactly as it was the day after. Over the course of time the floors of the buildings have been taken over by nature. All that is done is to keep the weeds from taking over competely. Otherwise it's just as it was on the 10th of June 1944.

As you watch the pictures please remember that real people died here. The dilapated buildings and the rusting artifacts are there to remind us of this dark day in humanity. But we should never forget that tryanny and extremists were responsible for this terrible tragedy.

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They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
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THE MUSIC

Incidental Music to Henry V: Passacaglia, 'The Death of Falstaff'
Douglas Boyd & Chamber Orchestra of Europe

Dido and Aeneas: "When I Am Laid in Earth" (Dido's Lament) Chamber Orchestra of Europe & Richard Egarr

Enigma Variations, Op. 36: X. Nimrod
Sir Andrew Davis & BBC Symphony Orchestra

Видео The Oradour-sur-Glane Massacre on 10 June 1944 канала Tony Darbyshire