The English Calamity … a tragedy in the Black Forest

[Zebra]

In 1936 a class of English school boys from London got lost in a snowstorm in the forest near Freiburg.
Their teacher, Kenneth Keast, was responsible, as he did not listen to several warnings.
So he led 5 of his students to their deaths.

 

[Zebra]

The villagers of Hofsgrund could save most of the class in a dramatic rescue search in night and snowstorm.

 

[Zebra]

Three monuments in Hofsgrund now remind us of that tragedy.

 

[Zebra]

In 1936 both Britain and Germany mourned the dead students.

 

[Zebra]

I have been there several times. In summer and winter, always thinking of that sad event.

 

[TheInfiniteSadness]

In 1936 a class of English school boys from London got lost in a snowstorm in the forest near Freiburg.
Their teacher, Kenneth Keast, was responsible, as he did not listen to several warnings.
So he led 5 of his students to their deaths.

English calamity - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I read this story long ago and forgot. Thanks for reminding me, it was an interesting read.

 

[Zebra]

English calamity - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I read this story long ago and forgot. Thanks for reminding me, it was an interesting read.

Yes, it is a tragic story.

 

[Zebra]

The English teacher has made many grave mistakes.
But the real truth was reported only decades later.

 

[Zebra]

Paradoxically he was celebrated as a hero in 1916.
It took a long time until the truth came out about his many grave mistakes.

 

[Zebra]

English calamity - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I read this story long ago and forgot. Thanks for reminding me, it was an interesting read.

I myself was reminded of the story when i met somebody from Hofsgrund the other day.

 

[White 6]

In 1936 a class of English school boys from London got lost in a snowstorm in the forest near Freiburg.
Their teacher, Kenneth Keast, was responsible, as he did not listen to several warnings.
So he led 5 of his students to their deaths.

I have been to the castle in Freiburg, but was not aware of the story.

 

[Zebra]

I have been to the castle in Freiburg, but was not aware of the story.

Yes, it is not generally known.
Even the lady from Hofsgrund did not know it, but she has not been there long yet.

 

[Zebra]

I have been to the castle in Freiburg, but was not aware of the story.

And how did you like Freiburg?

 

[Zebra]

How those boys had to walk in the snowstorm:
Light shoes or even sandals, short trousers, and no head cover.
The snow was hip high, and the had to walk up a very steep hill.

 

[Zebra]

Their teacher often got lost and chose the wrong way.
He only had a very primitive map.

 

[White 6]

And how did you like Freiburg?

Very nice little town, picturesque, friendly. Castle tour not available that time or maybe that day, but one of the keepers that lived in the castle, did invite me in, through a tower, into a section, round on the inside, that in the olden times used to be the inside of a huge bread baking oven, hundreds of years ago. Outside the castle grounds, the food was good, shops reasonably priced. I liked towns with castles, as we have very few in this country, and the ones that are here are built as indulgence of the rich, while in Germany or anywhere else in Europe, they are or were military fortified strongholds, built on recognizable key terrain. I liked to look out on the terrain, commanded, and envision ancient battles of the past. I was temporarily stationed at relatively close by Luftwaffe air defense base, at the time.

 

[Zebra]

Very nice little town, picturesque, friendly. Castle tour not available that time or maybe that day, but one of the keepers that lived in the castle, did invite me in, through a tower, into a section, round on the inside, that in the olden times used to be the inside of a huge bread baking oven, hundreds of years ago. Outside the castle grounds, the food was good, shops reasonably priced. I liked towns with castles, as we have very few in this country, and the ones that are here are built as indulgence of the rich, while in Germany or anywhere else in Europe, they are or were military fortified strongholds, built on recognizable key terrain. I liked to look out on the terrain, commanded, and envision ancient battles of the past. I was temporarily stationed at relatively close by Luftwaffe air defense base, at the time.

Yes, the castle is stragetically placed, so it is overlooking the town of Freiburg!

 

[Zebra]

In Hofsgrund there now is big monument honouring the Englisch school group, named the Engländer-Denkmal.

 

[Zebra]

One of survivers later joined the British Army.
But on condition that he should never fight the Germans, because Germans had saved his life.

 

[Zebra]

One of survivers later joined the British Army.
But on condition that he should never fight the Germans, because Germans had saved his life.

i found this touching