Romain Bréget | French Battlefields Guide
banner
frbguide.bsky.social
Romain Bréget | French Battlefields Guide
@frbguide.bsky.social
French Battlefields Guide in Normandy. Military history enthusiast.
Website and booking: https://www.french-battlefields.com/
Also, we visited the No 32 Casualty Clearing Station emplacement in Reviers, where Glen was treated. A incredible IWM video gave us a wonderful Then/Now.
May 20, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Yes it is !
April 23, 2025 at 9:54 PM
You never know, you might come back ;-)
March 14, 2025 at 9:30 PM
The photographs of the massacre were discovered and are owned by Baptiste Garin.
Much more context and information are given on the superb book written by Julien Fargettas, historian specialist on the Tirailleurs Sénégalais.
March 11, 2025 at 6:54 PM
It is estimated to around 3000 Tirailleurs Sénégalais, but also from Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria, were murdered in May-June 1940.
This was the reality of the Nazi Regime and his Army.
This is what pure racism created.
These men are resting in peace today. We won't forget.
March 11, 2025 at 6:54 PM
This crime was not isolated: Lentilly, Champagne Mont d'Or, Montée de Balmont....in total, about 170 French soldiers, overwhelmingly African soldiers, were brutally murdered in a few days around Lyon.
March 11, 2025 at 6:54 PM
The result is atrocious: 48 men, all African Tirailleurs, were killed in this war crime.
March 11, 2025 at 6:54 PM
They drove in the field, passed piles of bodies, and opened fire toward bushes and wood where some Tirailleurs probably ran away to.
March 11, 2025 at 6:54 PM
The Panzer IV maneuvered to enter the field and finish their crime.
March 11, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Our German witness took a picture of the killing while some Tirailleurs were running for their life.
March 11, 2025 at 6:54 PM
And the two Panzer IV then opened fire...
March 11, 2025 at 6:54 PM
On the way between Chasselay and Les Chères, they were ordered to walk into a nearby field.
March 11, 2025 at 6:54 PM
They were unarmed and defenseless, escorted by Wehrmacht soldiers.
March 11, 2025 at 6:54 PM
The Tirailleurs were taken toward the town of Les Chères, escorted by 2 Panzer IV of the 8th Panzer-Regiment. White French soldiers were separated from their African comrades who are seen here walking by the Panzer IV.
March 11, 2025 at 6:54 PM
A warning : the next pictures are documenting a WW2 war crime with prisoners being executed.
March 11, 2025 at 6:54 PM
In 2019, collector Baptiste Garin bought the photobook of a German soldier. Inside, he found pictures of vehicles and men of the 10th Panzer Division. But this German soldier, whose name is still unknown, witnessed and photographed what happened after the Tirailleurs surrendered.
March 11, 2025 at 6:54 PM
The Germans had bypassed Chasselay. Morning of June 20th, dozens of men are still holding the village. They decided to fight for the honor. The Germans, surprised to find French troops there, attacked. 2 hours of fighting and the remaining 25 RTS decided to surrender.
March 11, 2025 at 6:54 PM
They were ordered to make a stand in front of several good German Divisions (SS Totenkopf, Grossdeutschland, 10th Panzer). The Germans clashed with French troops around Montluzin and Lissieu, then rushed toward Lyon that was taken at the end of the June 19th.
March 11, 2025 at 6:54 PM
North of Lyon, the Army was assembling makeshift units to defend the city. Amongst this improvised assembly of mostly untrained men with old weapons was the 25th Regiment Tirailleurs Sénégalais (25 RTS): 2900 men, decent training, decent weapons.
March 11, 2025 at 6:54 PM
June 19, 1940. The Germans are advancing everywhere in France. Newly appointed Pétain asked for the end of the fighting. But as far as the Army is concern, there is no armistice signed yet. So, many French Army leaders gave order to keep fighting "with no retreat in mind"
March 11, 2025 at 6:54 PM