Frayssinet-le-Gélat

Frayssinet-le-Gélat (pronounced|fʀesine lə ʒeˈla) is a small commune and village in the west of the Lot "département" in South-Western France.

History

FRAYSSINET (Near Tulle, Central France, May 21, 1944)

In the small village of Frayssinet-le-Gélat just south of Tulle, members of the French underground shot and killed a German officer. For this crime, fifteen hostages were taken and assassinated. Most of the hostages were all young males from one child families. This, in the twisted minds of the SS, was to prevent any further family line of descent. However, five of the hostages were young women. The schoolmaster attempted to escape, and was shot outside the school.Each year, on May 21st, many of the villagers gather outside the church for an act of remembrance. Outside the entrance to the local church in Frayssinet-le-Gélat stands a small monument mounted with a stone cross, and a plaque bearing the names of all the fifteen young victims. Another monument to the fiteenth victim stands where he was shot.