Landing. 80 years later, the son of a German soldier returns to Cotentin, following in his father’s footsteps

Saturday May 4, 2024in an article from La Presse de la Manche, you could discover the story of Karl-Heinrich Büchner, who was one of the soldiers of the garrison located at the Azeville battery (Manche).

He arrived there in August 1943 and remained there until the Landings, on June 6, 1944. He was positioned at the observation post.

80 years later, at the beginning of May 2024, it is his son, Norbert Büchnerwho is visiting the Cotentin. His visit is not just a simple meeting, it is a symbol of peace.

He came to the Azeville battery on Tuesday May 7, welcomed by the battery team, but also by Alain Talondirector of museums managed by the Department of Manche, and Christèle Casteleindepartmental councilor in Montebourg.

This meeting is the result of several months of work and took place thanks to Torben Haunhorstpassionate about History, who put the battery team in contact with Norbert, THE son of Karl-Heinrich Büchner.

A symbol of peace

The symbol of peace was represented by the fact that Norbert came offer various objects belonging to his fatheras the last letter written on June 4, 1944 to his future wife Hannelore where he told her that there was a heat wave.

The letter was translated into French as was his military notebook.

A souvenir photo was shown: that of there Taylor family with whom he had become friends when he was prisoner in England and where he worked in the agricultural environment.

This friendship continued long after the war, and he returned there regularly. In the objects handed over, we also note a diary dating from 1988, relating the reunion of Karl-Heinrich and the Taylor family.

The document was signed by Norbert and Alain Talon, which commits the Department.

A symbolic signature

“The signature means that the Department accepts the donation,” said Alain Talon, director of museums managed by the Department of Manche. And, at the end of the year, it will be transferred in December so that the 54 elected officials can vote for the acceptance of the donation. The interest is to complete the history of the battery and the life of the garrison. »

For the Department, it is a special day because it is the first time that a descendant of a soldier comes to the battery.

At the question ” Did your father talk about the war?“, Norbert Büchner replied: “It was from the age of 11, when I asked him why he was going to England. He brought up memories. ” In the memories his father had described the batteries to him.

“I had a tear in my eye”

Before arriving in Azeville, Norbert went to the Crisbecq battery in Saint-Marcouf-de-l’Isle.

“My father described the place to me. I could see the place, I imagined it smaller. I met some middle school students, and while telling the story, I had tears in my eyes. »

What if his father returned to Normandy? “Unfortunately no, he was going to England instead, to see the Taylor family. At age 90, he received a invitationto come to Azeville, but he was too ill. He couldn’t come.»

And about handing over the documents to the battery: “They would have been put in my grave. By putting them back on the drums, it stays here, the public will be able to see them andit will not be lost», Specified Norbert.

From our correspondent Claudine KEMPF

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