Hell in Paradise - Massacre at Le Paradis (original) (raw)
The Story of a Second World War Massacre and the Two Soldiers Who Survived
We are very pleased to say that our book on the massacre "Hell in Paradise" is now available. A good quality production, it tells the story of the massacre and also the brave men who fought in the area around Le Paradis in May 1940. The book contains many photographs and diary entries never before published in print format, along with interviews with families and stories from descendants. Hell in Paradise is written by Peter Steward and John Head and published independently by the le Paradis Commemoration Group. Copies are £10 each with £5 postage and package to UK addresses. Prices for sending overseas can be obtained. To purchase a copy of Hell in Paradise and find out how to pay please e-mail Nick Smith at [email protected]
The Massacre at Le Paradis
This site is dedicated to the memory of the 97 soldiers from 2nd Battalion The Royal Norfolks and1st Battalion The Royal Scots and other units who were massacred at Le Paradis in Northern France on 27th May, 1940, by troops from the German 3rd Company 1st Battalion 2nd SS Totenkopf Rifle Regiment.
It also features the soldiers who fought in defence of Le Paradis and the surrounding area. Some survived to tell their stories, others died in battle. The site is also dedicated to their memory.
Hell in Paradise looks at all aspects of the massacre - the men who sacrificed their lives, the background, the village of Le Paradis and, in particular, the story and memories of the two survivors - Private William "Bill" O'Callaghan from Dereham in Norfolk and Private Albert "Bert" Pooley from Southall in London. It also looks at the years after the massacre and the effect it had on families and those left behind.
The site has been put together thanks to the co-operation of experts on the subject, residents of the French village of Le Paradis, along with the families of Bill O'Callaghan and Bert Pooley and descendants of others who died in the massacre or who fought in the area in the days leading up to the event. Many of the documents and photographs featured have never been available to the public, including Private O'Callaghan's personal diaries.
The image further up this page was drawn by Captain Charles Long and is reproduced by kind permission of the Long Family. You can see more of Captain Long's art by clicking here.
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"Although the sands of time run out the sands of Dunkirk will forever remain in our memories."
“The golden evening brightens in the west Soon, soon to faithful warriors cometh rest Sweet is the calm of Paradise the blest Alleluya! Alleluya!”
Verse six: For All the Saints (Sine Nomine): W. Walsham How 1823-97/ R Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
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