Happy Monday folks, and welcome to another week in the land of spice! By the time this is posted, I shall be driving through France on my vacation but don’t worry, I shall not forget you. As a consequence, this edition of the Spark! has a francophone tinge to it. Apologies if there is a slight odour of garlic but I will not apologise for the Bacon.
On This Day – 10th June 1944 – Massacre at Oradour-Sur-Glane
In the days following the invasion of France in June 1944, the French Resistance increased their activity, in order to tie down Axis forces and prevent them from moving north to fight the allies who were still consolidating their beachheads.
Units of the Waffen SS 4th Panzer Grenadier Regiment were informed by Vichy Milice members that an SS officer had been taken by the Maquis du Limousin resistance group in the village of Oradour-Sur-Vayres, about 30km from Oradour-Sur Glane.
In retaliation, the German troops moved in to the village from Limoges and sealed off both ends, only a few people managed to flee before the village was closed off. The residents were herded into the centre of the village for identity checks. Men were separated from the women and children, who were locked in the church. The men were split into groups in barns and sheds, where they were shot and the buildings set on fire. The church was set alight with incendiary devices and attempted escapees were machine gunned.
The only survivor was Robert Hebras, who was 18 at the time and was a vocal advocate for reconciliation between France and Germany. Post war, President De Gaulle ordered that the village be preserved as a memorial to those who died. I have visited the site and it is both chilling and inspirational.
Read more here.
Also on this day:
1793 – The Jacobins take control of the Committee of Public Safety in the French Revolution
1863 – French troops capture Mexico City during the Mexican Intervention
1935 – Dr Robert Smith takes his last drink and co-founds Alcoholics Anonymous
1977 – James Earl Ray escapes from Bushy Mountain State Penitentiary in Tennessee
2018 – Opportunity Rover sends its last message back to Earth from Mars
Arrivals
1921 – Jean Robic, French cyclist and Tour de France winner
1921 – Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, consort of HM Queen Elizabeth II
1932 – Pierre Cartier, French mathematician and academic
1954 – Rich Hall, US comedian, actor and producer
1962 – Gina Gershon, US actress (‘Cocktail’, ‘Showgirls’, ‘Face Off’)
Departures
1899 – Ernest Chausson, French composer
1967 – Spencer Tracy, US actor (‘Captains Courageous’, ‘Test Pilot’, ‘Boys Town’)
1991 – Jean Bruller, French writer and underground publisher for the French Resistance
2004 – Odette Laure, French actress and singer
2012 – Georges Mathieu, French artist and academic
The Funnies:
Recipe of the day: Quiche Lorraine
This French inspired recipe from BBC Food is quick and easy and contains the obligatory bacon.
Ingredients
For the pastry
· 175g/6oz plain flour, plus extra for dusting
· 75g/2¾oz butter, plus extra for greasing
· salt
For the filling
· 250g/9oz cheddar, grated
· 4 tomatoes, sliced (optional)
· 200g/7oz streaky bacon, chopped
· 5 free-range eggs, beaten
· 100ml/3½fl oz milk
· 200ml/7fl oz double cream
· 2 sprigs fresh thyme
· freshly ground black pepper
Method
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To make the pastry, sift the flour together with a pinch of salt in a large bowl. Rub in the butter until you have a soft breadcrumb texture. Add enough cold water to make the crumb mixture come together to form a firm dough, and then rest it in the fridge for 30 minutes.
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Roll out the pastry on a light floured surface and line a 22cm/8½in well-buttered flan dish. Don’t cut off the edges of the pastry yet. Chill again.
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Preheat the oven to 190C/170C Fan/Gas 5.
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Remove the pastry case from the fridge and line the base of the pastry with baking parchment and then fill it with baking beans. Place on a baking tray and bake blind for 20 minutes. Remove the beans and parchment and return to the oven for another five minutes to cook the base
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Reduce the temperature of the oven to 160C/140C Fan/Gas 3.
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Sprinkle the cheese into the pastry base and add the sliced tomatoes if you are using them. Fry the bacon pieces until crisp and sprinkle over them over the top.
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Combine the eggs with the milk and cream in a bowl and season well. Pour over the bacon and cheese. Sprinkle the thyme over the top and trim the edges of the pastry.
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Bake for 30–40 minutes, or until set. Allow to cool and set further.
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Trim the pastry edges to get a perfect edge and then serve in wedges.
Quote of the Day:
“Terry Pratchett lives in England, an island off the coast of France, where he spends his time writing Discworld novels in accordance with the Very String Anthropic Principle, which holds that the entire Purpose of the Universe is to make possible a being that will live in England, an island off the coast of France, and spend his time writing Discworld novels. Which is exactly what he does. Which proves the whole business true. Any questions?” (Equal Rites)
– Sir Terry Pratchett
Comic of the Day:
Mouseover: ‘I’m an H ⁺ denier, in that I refuse to consider loose protons to be real hydrogen, so I personally believe it stands for ‘pretend’.
Image Credit: https://xkcd.com/2943
Explain XKCD: explain xkcd
Inspirobot Always Controversial, Occasionally Inspirational Quote of the Day:
If musical differences caused you to miss @repairatrooper’s Spark! from Friday, you can organise your reunion tour here:
(Spark! Pro Series - June 7th, 2024)
