Memorial at Rethem, Germany

To the South-east the 6th Battalion had reached the banks of the River Aller. Beside Rethem church there lay a wrecked road bridge. The Germans had lined up a batch of Welsh prisoners against a wall there and mowed them down with automatics. One of the Welshmen had fallen with the rest only pretending to be dead and then had the good fortune not to be finished off with those not quite dead by a pistol shot in the head, so he was able to reveal the foul crime, which the bodies later confirmed.

SOURCE: 7th Battalion The Cameronians Multiple Sclerosis Research Initiative

 

What's that got to do with a memorial anyway?

Grumpy, it was a possible that the memorial was to those murdered, but I stand corrected

 

owen..bit of an ask..but im sure many of us are gripped by this now..you havent got those pages to hand have you...if i buy any more books this month ill be sent to the shed.

 

owen ..dont divert yourself mate..youve given me a good days reading to do..no need to go off onto battle..im reading up now ..ta

 

Thanks for the added info..ive been reading up and visiting sites on this. thanks again. The memorial is pretty recent I take it. I sent an email to the town mayor from tourist site requesting info..dont know if there will be any response though.

 

Do we know to whom the memorial is dedicated? If it was erected by the townspeople, I'd have thought it would probably be for the locals, possibly for the defenders but surely not for the 'liberators'?

 

Hello,
is this topic still hot?
If so I can give information and send a picture from the memorial plate.
I live near Rethem. (<3km)
Greetings, Alex

 

This is the photo I use in Theirs the Strife. Best wishes.

 

Is this memorial unique? Not my area of interest, but I cannot recall a memorial to both "sides".

 

I am researching my late father in laws journey through Germany. He was in the Welch 53rd. This illustrated news article could be what you are looking for. It's horrific. Cold blooded murder.

 

Fortunately it is neither horrific nor cold blooded murder as this massacre never took place. See pages 332-335 of my book Theirs the Strife.

 

Unfortunately, the illustration is in the public domain. If it gives a wrong account then I am sorry. I am interested in events on 9th and before. Does your book name any soldiers? I have a relevant letter in respect of my research from Major H W Arnold, Officer commanding B company 1/5th Welch.

 

Absolutely no need for an apology and I can quite see how from the picture you would think that the massacre had taken place at Rethem. My coverage of 53rd Welsh Division starts on 8 April with the division’s operation to cross the Weser at Hoya and there are names of officers and soldiers included in my book although Major Arnold is not among them. B Company 1/5 Welch and its unsuccessful attack on Rethem on 10 April is covered in detail. Best wishes and good luck with your research.

 

Only some 14 years late but did anyone give you an answer to the question Owen? Although I have no proof, I believe the memorial commemorated both sides as a very commendable act of reconciliation. Best. John