Johannes Börner
3. Fallschirmjäger-Division 1944
Johannes Börner
In planning for the Memorial's inauguration in June 2012, Céline and David were united in their wish to welcome a German WW2 veteran to underpin the core objective of promoting Peace and Reconciliation. But who...?
The answer lay in Johannes Börner. On D-Day, Johannes was a 19-year old paratrooper in the German 3rd Parachute Division (3. Fallschirmjäger-Division). Following bitter fighting against the American 29th Infantry Division around St. Lô in July 1944, he was captured a month later on August 21 by Canadian troops at St. Lambert-sur-Dives during the final phase of the carnage of the Falaise Pocket – the 'Corridor of Death.'
Released in 1947, Johannes chose to remain in Normandy following the advice of his parents in his home town near Leipzig – under Soviet control.
Johannes became a naturalised French citizen in 1956. Together with his Norman wife, Thérèse, they opened and operated the 'Chateaubriand' restaurant in Ouistreham between 1969-1998.
Also living in Ouistreham was Léon Gaultier, a French D-Day veteran with the legendary Kieffer Commando (No.10 Inter-Allied Commando). Léon landed adjacent to Ouistreham ('Sword' Beach) early on D-Day morning and helped liberate the town.
The two veterans – former adversaries – became close friends. Both were Guests of Honor at the 70th D-Day Anniversary ceremony in Ouistreham in 2014.
David was introduced to Johannes Börner at his restaurant during the late 1990's by their mutual friend, Marc Jacquinot, former Director of the Memorial Pegasus Museum at Bénouville.
Fast forward to planning for the June 6, 2012 ceremony and welcoming a German veteran. The penny dropped...
Found still living in Ouistreham, Johannes and wife Thérèse graciously accepted our invitation. The former 'Green Devil' was warmly welcomed as a brother paratrooper whose uniform happened to be a different colour to that worn by the 'Raveno Boys' on D-Day.
Johannes and Thérèse returned in 2013. As a veteran, Johannes received one of our inaugural bronze statuettes of a D-Day paratrooper, produced by specialist company Khaki Army. The awards to each veteran (we call them the 'Airborne Oscars') were made by Presiding Officer and guest speaker Brigadier General Theodore G. Shuey, former Assistant Division Commander of the US 29th Infantry Division and Honorary Colonel of the 116th Infantry Regiment – the “Stonewall Brigade.”
Two other defining moments during the ceremony truly launched the Memorial's mission statement of Peace and Reconciliation...
Johannes and Thérèse jointly placed a floral tribute in the Federal German colours at the Memorial. The dedication on the ribbon, in German and French, read: “In Memory of my Fallen Comrades. War is over, Peace remains.”
Afterwards, Johannes planted an Olive tree beside the Memorial in his Honor, one of 16 planted simultaneously during the ceremony by veterans/relatives. The 'first wave' of 40 such trees in the years 2013-2016. Our choice of olive trees was deliberate, representing Peace and Eternity. Each one a living Memorial to a veteran, either living or departed.
Johannes was assisted by Martin Galle, Grandson of Oberst Ernst Goth, Commanding Officer of Grenadier-Regiment 916, 352. Infanterie Division at Omaha Beach on D-Day.
Following the ceremony, Johannes signed the Veterans' Wall inside the shack. His short dedication reads: “No War, only always Peace.” Our Green Devil had been truly inducted into our unique Brother/Sisterhood of Friends.
Our plan to have Johannes and Thérèse return in June 2014 was derailed by overlapping dates for Ravenoville and a major international ceremony at Ouistreham, where Johannes and Léon Gaultier were Guests of Honour. Sadly, we were denied the opportunity of uniting Johannes with a second German veteran, Kurt K. Keller. Kurt's Journey of Reconciliation with our ceremonies was about to begin...
A combination of future ceremony overlaps and failing health prevented Johannes from returning to Ravenoville. Our Friend died on May 20, 2018.
Like all the 62 other living Memorial trees in the Peace and Reconciliation Garden, Johannes Börner's continues to flourish. It, and his photo and signed dedication inside the shack are proof he passed this way. His Memory, and our Friendship with this Green Devil will endure forever...