
The Wereth Eleven
The Wereth Eleven retraces the steps eleven black GI's from the 333rd Field Artillery Battalion took when their unit was overrun by Germans at the start of the Battle of the Bulge. Their 10-mile trek from their battery position to Wereth, Belgium would be the last journey of their lives as a local resident turned them in to an SS scouting party. Subsequently all eleven were butchered and killed in one of the least understood, as well as unknown, war crimes of WWII.
Insights
Plot Summary
This documentary tells the harrowing true story of eleven African-American soldiers who were executed by Nazi SS troops during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944. Despite being prisoners of war, they were brutally murdered, and their story remained largely unknown for decades. The film uncovers the events leading up to the massacre and the subsequent fight for justice and recognition for these brave soldiers.
Critical Reception
The Wereth Eleven has been praised for its poignant and important retelling of a tragically overlooked event in World War II history. Critics and audiences alike have commended its respectful approach to the subject matter and its success in bringing the story of these soldiers to light. While not a mainstream blockbuster, it has resonated deeply with those who appreciate historical documentaries focusing on the human cost of war and the fight for remembrance.
What Reviewers Say
- A powerful and necessary account of a forgotten atrocity.
- Sheds light on a crucial and tragic chapter of African-American military history.
- Respectfully honors the memory of the Wereth Eleven.
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Fun Fact
The film's director, David Van Eyseren, was motivated to make the documentary after discovering the story of the Wereth Eleven through his father's research, which uncovered a diary of one of the survivors of the massacre.
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