The Story of a Second World War Massacre and the Two Soldiers Who Survived
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The Massacre at Le Paradis
This site is dedicated to the memory of the 97 soldiers from 2nd Battalion The Royal Norfolks and 1st 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 14th Company SS Deaths Head Division Totenkopf.
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 at the top of the 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.
To read about how this web site came into being click here. To read about the site launch click here.
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 at the top of the 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.
To read about how this web site came into being click here. To read about the site launch click here.
"Although the sands of time run out
the sands of Dunkirk
will forever remain in our memories."
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)
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)
New On The Site: To find out what has been recently added to the site click here.