With the use of slides Patrick gives a fascinating talk on the tragic events that took place on the 10th of June 1944 when on a warm sunny day the residents of Oradour sur Glane, a sleepy, quiet village tucked away in the calm countryside of south west France were enjoying their sunny Saturday morning. School would finish early, the hotel was looking forward to guests arriving for the fishing and Saturday also meant the collection of tobacco ration by local farmers. On the radio only a few days earlier there was relief and even joy at the news that the allies had landed in Normandy several hundred miles away to the north. Surely liberation from years of Nazi tyranny was at hand?

Little did they know that by sunset their village would be destroyed, left in ruins and nearly all of its inhabitants would lie dead after the feared SS from the Das Reich regiment had murdered every man, woman and child they could find. It was to be France’s worst civilian atrocity during the Second World War. The reason for the appalling destruction has never been come to light. There are several theories which are examined including revenge for a kidnapped SS Officer, Nazi gold, and even mistaken identity.

Although very sombre in tone it conveys powerfully the tragedy and injustice of certain acts of war that hopefully will never be repeated.