In a Ruined State

An account of the war-crime at Oradour-sur-Glane on 10th June 1944

    The title of this narrative, In a Ruined State, plays upon the state of the German and French States, both physical and moral, before, during and after the war, as well as the post war decision of the French government to preserve the ruins of Oradour, "in a ruined state" (this quotation comes from the French Minister of National Education, René Capitant in November 1944).

Introduction (To Oradour-sur-Glane and why this website exists.)

Summary of: In a Ruined State (for those with little time to spare.)

Chapter 1 ..... In the Beginning (The historical background leading up to the events of 10th June 1944.)

Chapter 2 ..... 10th June 1944 (An hour by hour account of the attack on Oradour by the Waffen-SS.)

Chapter 3 ..... The Lost Boys (The history and background of the Waffen-SS up to 1944.)

Chapter 4 ..... A House Divided (The political and moral state of France during the years of W.W.II.)

Chapter 5 ..... The Trial at Bordeaux 1953 (An account of the trial of some of the surviving Waffen-SS men.)

Chapter 6 ..... Background to the 10th of June (From D-Day to the massacre of the citizens and destruction of Oradour.)

Chapter 7 ..... An Explanation for the Massacre (A review of all the various theories as to why the massacre happened.)

Chapter 8 ..... Conclusions & salient points (The author's views on the tragedy.)

Postscript ..... Truth can be stranger than fiction (An insight into the mind of Hitler's sister.)

Timeline for Oradour-sur-Glane (from 20th April 1889 to the present day.)

Notes on Language and Terms used (as applying to the period of the Nazi state from 1919 to 1945.)

Rank table for the Waffen-SS (Comparing and translating the meaning of the various SS ranks.)

Sewing machine in a ruined house in Oradour