Tag Archives: German occupation of France

Death of a Village: Oradour-sur-Glane

Posted on 02/07/2016 by nessafrance

I wasn’t sure if I should write about this at all. Visiting Oradour-sur-Glane near Limoges this week, I felt like a voyeur. The 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich slaughtered 642 people and torched the village on 10th June 1944, … Continue reading →

Posted in History, World War I & II | Tagged Allied invasion of France, France, French resistance, German occupation of France, German reprisals, massacre at Oradour-sur-Glane, Oradour-sur-Glane, SS Panzer Division Das Reich, village martyr, World War II | 31 Comments

Sheltering Jews in SW France During World War II

Posted on 27/01/2015 by nessafrance

Today, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, is the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp by Soviet troops. The unspeakable horror of these places has been described in memoirs and contemporary film footage. But very few survivors remain and it is … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Places, World War I & II | Tagged Auschwitz, Deportation of Jews, German occupation of France, Holocaust, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Liberation of Auschwitz, Moissac, Montauban, Righteous Among the Nations, Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, SW France, Tarn-et-Garonne, Vichy France, World War II | 12 Comments

Bordeaux #2: Sustenance for Body and Soul

Posted on 13/11/2014 by nessafrance

Our mouths watered as we strolled past the displays of fish, fresh produce and pâtisserie at the Quai des Chartrons market. The air rang with the raucous cries of the fishmongers as they broadcast their wares, while wielding filleting … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Places, World War I & II | Tagged Aquitaine, Bordeaux, Centre Jean Moulin, French resistance, German occupation of France, Musée d'Aquitaine, Musée des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux, Quai des Chartrons, World War II | 6 Comments

The Liberation of Montauban, 19th August 1944

Posted on 31/08/2014 by nessafrance

This is a year for commemorations in France. The most obvious is the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War I on 4th August. It’s also the 70th anniversary of the Normandy landings and the eventual liberation of … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Places, World War I & II | Tagged Das Reich, French resistance, German occupation of France, Liberation of France, Liberation of Montauban, Montauban, SW France, World War II | 9 Comments

Unexpected Finds About World War II at a Vide-Greniers

Posted on 22/05/2014 by nessafrance

It’s that time of year again. You only have to park the car for five minutes and you find your windscreen bristling with flyers for vide-greniers (jumble sales). Around here, there’s at least one a week for the foreseeable future. … Continue reading →