Cordelle family 1939-53

During the winter of 38-39, Jean and Simone Cordelle were (since 1928) in Rosario, Argentina with Yves, aged 8 years. Hausermann family was also in Rosario- Since 1931.
The brothers of Yves, François and Michel, aged 17 and 16, were in France since 1935, at their grandmother Hélène Cordelle (Bonne-Maman), at 6, Dode de la Brunerie, near the Porte de Saint-Cloud.
They went to the school Janson and found their Chedal cousins who lived in Passy, at 27 Lamballe Avenue.
For their holidays they all found themselves in the Marguerite George-Hauserman (Nany) in Vierville.
Since Hitler's power, all the letters kept show that war was inevitable. Cordelle parents did not want to be separated from their children, nor did they want to bring their 2 elders back to Argentina, knowing that this would probably mean a definitive expatriation.
In July 1939, Jean and Simone Cordelle, and Yves, returned permanently from Argentina, where they found their 2 eldest sons in Vierville during the summer of 1939.
The war occurred from 1 September 1939.
Jean Cordelle was mobilized and sent to Lorraine, in the Transmissions, and from March 40 in Montreuil-Bellay, for the arms industry.
Georges Chedal was also mobilized and sent to Tunisia for military work in Bizerte.
Philippe Chedal (21 years old) has been involved in the And did his education in Verneuil.

The French authorities have been able to take the necessary measures to ensure that the Commission's proposals are properly implemented. Vierville where Nany had folded And with Martha, his maid.
So from October 1939 and for the whole school year, the Cordelle and Chedal families settled in Coutances, where were classes of preparation at the Grandes Écoles that Jean-Pierre Chedal (19 years old), François (18 years old) and Michel (17 years old) attended.
Yves was 9 years old and entered the sixth grade. In the confusion, he narrowly passed the entrance exam. (He was too young to be 2 years old and it weighed on his high school life for years, until the baccalaureate, practically. Since he had never been in class, the change of scenery was profound).
Brigitte Chedal (13 years old) also went to the Coutances High School.

Here are the letters from Nany and Simone September 1939 (page 7101), addressed to the Hausermann in Argentina, which tell the concerns of all: the mobilization, the first month of the "romantic war", the end of the holidays in Vierville (completed by the 4 boys of the canoe), the difficulties of the installation in Coutances:

The photo albums of Simone Cordelle and Michel are reproduced here:
Stay in Coutances (page 711)
At the beach and in the dunes of Regnéville (page 712)
The snow periods of February 1940 (page 713) in Coutances and its surroundings
Around Coutances (page 714)
The Cathedral of Coutances (page 715)
The excursions around Coutances (page 716)
The military service of Jean Cordelle during the strange war (page 717)

These are Nany's letters for his stay in Vierville October 1939 to March 40The family was in Coutances, the "roar of war" continued, good news and often bad of all and mobilized, the studies of children, life in Vierville, bad winter weather:

letters from Nany in the Hausermanns in Argentina: October 1939 (page 7102)
November 1939 (page 7103)
December 1939 (page 7104)January 1940 (page 7105)
February 1940 (page 7106)
March 1940 (page 7107)

From April 1940, the "wartime of war" became a "wartime of lightning".Invading Norway, and in May, invading France, Nany's letters show in detail his reactions to these difficult events: during the Battle of Norway, Nany wrote to the Hausermann in Argentina: Nany in April 1940 (page 7108)

In May 1940, during the Battle of France, letters from Nany and Simone to the Hausermann in Argentina, May 1940, (page 7109)

The German invasion occurred brutally in the spring of 1940 and surprised everyone. On 17 June, the cars and tanks of the 7th Panzer Division of Rommel crossed Coutances from the South, chasing the English who were driving a few hours earlier, at all speeds to get back to Cherbourg. There was no more French army. De Gaulle went rather unnoticed the first days. Pétain's armistice was a bit of a desperate relief. Everything had been prepared, luggage, cars to flee south on the morning of 18 June. But it was too late and worried, only the three big boys walked away to try to get a boarding trip for England. They went 50 km to Avranche, and came back, having found no escape.

And then the Germans turned out to be "correct," they had strict orders for that, and fear gradually faded.

At the beginning of the occupation, in Vierville, Nany wrote a few more letters that arrived in Argentina, without us knowing exactly how, probably taking advantage of the inorganisation of German control the first few weeks: letters from Nany in June 1940 to the Hausermann in Argentina (page 7201)

From June 1940, the Armistice allowed the demobilization by Georges Chedal, Jean Cordelle and Philippe, who have gradually returned to Paris and Vierville (in the case of Philippe), together with the rest of the families.
Nany stayed with Martha in Vierville. His presence certainly avoided the complete requisition of the castle. letters from Nany and Jean Cordelle to the Hausermann from August 40 to December 40 (page 7202)
Life resumed, the three greats, Jean-Pierre, François and Michel left to pass the oral competitions in Toulouse in July-August 40. They were hosted there by a family friend, the Matuseks. Before their return to Normandy and then Paris in the late summer of 1940, they spent several weeks in the Pyrenees, then stopped in the Loire Valley. summer 1940 stays in the South and the Centre of FranceThe three majors spent the oral examinations in Toulouse and then returned to Paris for the school year 40-41 (they were received in 1941: François à l'X, school folded in Lyon, Michel à Navale, retreated in Toulon). Jean-Pierre entered Centrale in 1940, as it was a civil school that could therefore remain in occupied area. 
Jean-Pierre, François and Michel in the Pyrenees (page 7211)
with the Matusek (page 7212)
in the Black Mountain (page 7213)
on the banks of the Loire River (page 7214)   on their return to Vierville in September 40

In the early 1940sThe family returned to Paris, the Cordelles rented a large apartment on 2 floors at 27 avenue de Lamballe, on the 7th and 8th floors. The Chedals moved into their 4th floor. Jean-Pierre joined Centrale while François was re-establishing a special class at the Janson High School, with Michel who had not been able to pass the Navale competition, cancelled. Brigitte went to the Molière High School. Yves entered the 5th level at the Petit Lycée Janson-de-Sailly.
(in Paris, 1940-42, page 724)
Letters from Jean Cordelle to Hausermann in Argentina, gave some news from France, but we only have drafts, have they arrived? It is unlikely, because we did not find the originals in the Hausermann archives.
Letter from Jean C. 24 Sept 40 (page 7202)
Letter from Alloted Nov. 30 (page 7203)
Letter from John C. 18 Dec 40 (page 7202)

Nany remained in Vierville, died there in February 41 (page 723) without knowing exactly the nature of his disease, which had long been a strong anaemia.
Philippe remained in Vierville for several years, recovering from a severe pleurisy contracted during his last weeks in the army.
To report the letters exchanged during the war between Me Pommier notary in Trevières and Jean Cordelle (page 7226) which are quite instructive about some of the difficulties of the time.
Here are also some rare letters exchanged with the Hausermanns in Argentina:
Letter from Toutoni 12 February 41 (page 7203)
Letter from John C. 29 March 41 (page 7221)
Letter from John C. 13 Oct 41 (page 7222)
Letter from Toutuni 20 Feb 42 (page 7223)
Letter from Dad Feb 42 (page 7224)
Letter from Dad Dec. 3, 43 (page 7225)

In the 1941 contest, François was received at the X and Michel at Navale. The two brothers then left in the free zone:
François in Villeurbanne for the X, now a "civil" school in Paris (page 725) promotion 41
Michel in Toulon for the Naval School, (page 726) , Brest folded, promotion 41
In 1941, 42 and 43, Yves has always been in Vierville for the holidays (page 727) .
Papa has been in the free zone for Hersent business several times, and even in Spain and Tenerife. These trips have facilitated the few epistolic contacts with the Hausermanns in Argentina.
1941-42
Paris was very empty (the "rental" sign everywhere), the Chedals were still on the 4th left, next to the 4th right, Nany's apartment that had remained in Vierville, with Philippe. The Cordelles found for rent on the 7th / 8th right floor, with a terrace with magnificent views of Paris, from the Eiffel Tower to the southern suburbs, with the Sacré-Coeur, the Grand Palais, Notre-Dame, Vincennes, the Pantheon, St Sulpice etc.). This apartment was purchased later in 1942 or 43. The cars (the 2,402 Peugeot of the Cordelle and Chedal, were put on hold hidden in the cellar and thus escaped the requisitions, there was no more gasoline except for priority. Four times a day, the children travelled from the school (17 minutes on foot for Janson, walking quickly). 

Life was gradually organized, the additional supplies often came by post (or parcel at the Chemins de Fer) of Vierville: butter, eggs, vegetables, potatoes, rabbits. Wood was also brought in to heat up and a pig was killed once underground behind the castle. Food also came from the white, where the Hersent offices were located in a free zone or "nono area", i.e. not occupied. There was always gas in the city, often under reduced pressure, advantage of the upper floors. The power cuts were increasingly frequent and the elevator was stopped very quickly (there were seven floors...).
We have always been spending the holidays in Vierville (15 days at Christmas and Easter, 2 1/2 months in summer). But from May 43, access to the beach had become forbidden. In fact, access within 20 km of the coastal zone was also prohibited to "non-residents", but we were always able to turn this settlement with local identity cards provided by the Mayor. German occupants were not fooled but rather arrangent or indifferent. 

The train has always operated from Paris to Bayeux: slow (5-6 hours) and rare (1 day at the end) and the post (very well, especially for letters, almost always 24 hours).The long distance telephone did not exist, but the telegraph was working properly (per carrier, it was faster than currently if you don't have a phone). 
1943

From the end of 42, after the occupation of the "nono" zone and the first German defeats in the world, life became a little more complicated. All the greats escaped by chance to the STO (Service du Travail Obligatoire, in Germany). François was at the X then at the Ecole des Télécom in Paris, or in youth camps during the holidays. Michel was in Navale until 25 November 42 (taken by Toulon and scuttled the fleet), then imprisoned a few days, then released and sent to the Sup Elec school in Paris, finally end 43 in the "Gendarmerie Maritime Légère", set in Gourdon (in the Lot, far from the sea).

In 1943 (page 728)France was reunited by the occupation of the free zone (11 November 1942), the 4 great cousins found themselves in Paris, François finishing the X and then making the Telecoms in Paris and Michel going to Sup Elec. They thus avoided the STO (Service du Travail Obligatoire) in Germany.
They then made plans for the future, despite the war: engagement of the four cousins, and even Jean-Pierre's marriage (page 729)In Paris.
The Paris apartments (at 27 B.C. of Lamballe) of Cordelle and Chedal were purchased that year from the owner who had put everything on sale.

1944

In February 44, things changed rapidly in Normandy. The Germans expected the landing but did not know where or when. Rommel, returning from Africa, where he had brilliantly commanded the Afrika Korp was appointed to the West and inspected the Normandy coasts (on 29 January 44 in Vierville). He ordered the immediate reinforcement of the defences of the Atlantic Wall.  In 1944 (page 731)

In Vierville, it was seen at the end of February, the Germans told the mayor, Mr. Leterrier, that they needed the whole castle to house the Todt organization's men who arrived in three days. We had three days to empty the castle (occupied until then by only 1 or 2 officers and their orders) and leave the place. It was by hundreds of m3 that the volume was to be moved or abandoned. 
Called to Paris, Simone Cordelle, Georges and Suzanne Chedal jumped into the first train to Bayeux and arrived in the evening in Vierville by the postal car (no taxi or bus). They found an extraordinary spectacle at the castle. The mayor and the population had not waited, they were all moving the furniture in dozens of agricultural carts, in the midst of a great mess. See the letters of Mom on 1 and 2 March 44 (page 7301)
The mayor had put the presbytery at his disposal and on his side in Paris, with the help of the Hersent, Jean Cordelle sent a miraculously found moving truck. All the valuable furniture was placed there, which were stored on the 4th right, in Nany's apartment. The coppers were placed in the old tower of the Abbot Edgeworth (which was destroyed on June 6 and everything disappeared). Various tumblers were walled in part of the attic (but successive occupants found the sealet and everything disappeared too). The rest was transported to the empty presbytery and later damaged well by the rain, as on 6 June 44 shells aimed at the bell tower were punctured. 
The three-day period was held, thanks to the help of all and the solidarity of the village. The wine cellar was distributed in large part to the movers. 

Four months later, on June 6, 44, it was the landing. In Paris we were cut off from Normandy all summer. 1 July 1944, wedding day (page 732) in Paris by François with Nicole Le Mée, the daughter-in-law of Gabriel Dessus remarried around 1932 at Colette Dessus ("Tante Colette"). Letter from the author of the letter dated 23 June 44 (page 7302)
Pierre-Antoine, born in March 44, was Nany's first great-grandson.

Early August 44, Yves and his parents spent a few days in the countryside in Vaux-sous-Chamigny, in the east of Paris. See Vaux-sous-Chamigny (page 733)The fighting was approaching, and the bombers P47 Thunderbold and P51 Mustang of the US Air Force were seen all day looking for locomotives or trucks to attack. German tank trains were seen coming out of the factory, driving west. From time to time, American heavy bomber wings followed by the black flakes of the DCA were passing over Paris. Everywhere silver-paper strips fell from the sky: anti-radar lures.

In the first days of August, the Americans' breakthrough towards Brittany and the Loire prompted us to leave Vaux-sous-Chamilly (after a small week) to return to Paris for fear of being preceded by the Americans who were advancing very quickly through Normandy, Brittany and Maine. The return went on bike, left on foot (we had 2 bikes for 3), and the end by truck stop (without meeting hunter-bombers) until Pantin metro. It was around 10/15 August. 

In Paris, there were warnings every day, Yves remembers that he was only rarely taken down to the cellar (for example on the night of the bombing of the La Chapelle Yard in March 44, it was 5 km away, but the bombs destroying the buildings made a terrible noise, especially that of the collapses, and we were afraid). We also felt that in this neighborhood of the 16th arrondissement, we would not be targeted. We had prepared everything, the small leather suitcase, marked YC, departure gift of the Tonazzi in Argentina, with all the important values to save. 

On August 25, it was the Liberation, but we had not left the house for eight days, by caution. We heard the shots, we saw from the terrace the Grand Palais burning, the American planes that were circulating in large numbers, we learned to recognize them at their only noise: the Transport Dakota, the Piper Cub of observation, the Mustang fighters, Thunderbolt, Lightning (those who make a sound, with two tails), the medium bombers Marauder, the heavy Flying Fortress and Liberator, the liaison Beechcraft, the DC4 long mails, etc. 
The first Allie we saw was in a curious car that stopped across the street, Colonel Bonnet's street, it was a Jeep, we had never seen one yet and his name was still unknown to us.
. 
From the terrace, we saw the little Piper Cubs slowly passing between the legs of the Eiffel Tower, but one day Yves even saw a Thunderbolt hunter making this passage at 300 km/h! 

In September 44, George and Brigitte Chedal were able to obtain fuel and in Vierville (page 734) For the first time, see what condition the castle is. It was a little damaged (2 shells in the roof) and occupied by an American hospital. Uncle George and Brigitte housed in a nearby farm (aurray farm) where they moved the furniture of the presbytery that no longer had a roof. They reported in Paris amazing news and images of the old Norman villages living in contact with the American superpower and its procession of means and waste which peasants have made a pactole, they who for centuries were accustomed to throwing nothing, let alone since the restrictions of the war. 
Yves and his parents were there in October and then December (page 734) The 402 refuelled (it was possible to refuel on the road with leaks from the US pipe line that extended from Normandy to Lorraine). In December, the castle was still occupied by the US hospital, but landings had become rare, and the beach was still forbidden for civilians. It took until March 45 to take the first pictures. 
After the liberation of Paris, the parents Cordelle and Yves returned a few days but it was an American hospital that received them one day at lunch in "our" castle. It was only in March 46, that we were able to return to the castle, finally abandoned by the Americans, and in sad condition. And we finally received some news from Argentina, still by very hijacked ways and with many delays:
Letter from Toutoni 13 May 44 (page 7303)
Letter from Toutuni 20 Nov 44 (page 7304)

1945

In Paris, in 44:45, Yves was in first class. François was at the Telecoms, Michel was on board the CH106 a small SC-type submarine fighter given by the Americans to the French navy. He was hunting mines in the Gulf of Genes and on the French Riviera. He married in 1945. 

In the years that followed, normal life resumed very gradually, and very slowly. Bread cards did not disappear until 1948. 

In 1945 (page 741), marriages of Philip and Michel, the birth of Patrice, Bruno and John II. Vierville became a holiday place again,
The contact with the Hausermanns have gradually resumed (page 742).
Here are the letters from 1945:
Letter from Jean C. 29 Jan 45 (page 7401)
Letter from Jean H. 15 March 45 (page 7402)
Letter from Jean and Simone C. of 30 April 45 (page 7403)
Letter from Jean H. 17 May 45 (page 7404)
Letter from Jean H. 8 June 45 (page 7405)
letters from Jean and Simone C. of 22 July 45 (page 7406)
letters from Sim. C. 8/8 to 3/9 45 (page 7407)
letters from Sim. C; 8/9 to 17/12 45 (page 7408)
Letter from Jean H. 1 Oct 45 (page 7409)
Letter from Jean C. 25 Oct 45 (page 7409)
Letter from John H. 21 Dec 45 (page 7501)

1946

In 1946 (page 751), and in the following years, Nany's great little children were growing.
In Paris, Brigitte married Jacques Barnichon.

In Vierville (page 752), the Hausermanns returned from Argentina in summer 46 for a short trip, the division of Nany's estate was made and they kept the castle. But they had to leave after a few months in Buenos Aires. Yves found his cousin Jean-Paul after seven years of separation, they had become almost adult and their relations had changed. 
Jean Hausermann, having kept the castle, was largely divided between the Cordelle and the Chedals. To stay in Bessin, the Cordelle bought in 1948 the property of the Prieuré in St-Laurent and the Chedals another property in Colleville. 

Jean-Paul returned to France in 1948 for his studies in Beauvais, and his parents and Jean-Louis only moved to France around 1950.
letters from Jean C. of 23 February and 4 May 46 (page 7501)
letters from Jean H. of 12 and 26 April 46 (page 7501)
letters from Sim. C. from 15 to 18/4/46 (page 7502)
letters from Sim. C. from 19 to 22/8/46 (page 7503)

1947
In 1947, Cordelle parents began a series of stays in Buenos Aires (page 761)The Peron dictatorship and its demagogy had ruined a country enriched during the war years by agricultural exports, and they found the Hausermanns in Buenos Aires.
Yves was often the only avenue in Lamballe. He has no very good memories of his years as students, memories of permanent stress: the Taupe, the Ecole Polytechnique, the military service at Salon (Ecole de l'Air) and at Toul (15th Regiment of Air Engineering) and the Ecole des Ponts. 
At 23 years old, he met Claude Rougier and married in 1954. This completely changed his life. Thirty four years later, Claude, about to die, said "a huge bouquet of flowers". Claude is now in the cemetery of Vierville.
Letter from Jean C., 22 August 1947 and 21/11/47 (page 760)
Letter from Jean H. of 30 August 1947 (page 760)

Meanwhile, in France, 1947, the little children grew up (page 762)
and were still in summer at Vierville Castle (page 763), which now belonged to the Hausermanns, while waiting to settle in St. Lawrence for the Cordelles and Colleville for the Chedals. This will be done in 1948 and 49.
1948In the summer of 1948, (page 771), some views of the family still in Vierville, and the first pictures of the Priory in St Laurent, which had just been purchased by the Cordelle parents.
In 1948, in Paris (page 772), some views of the little children on the terrace of Avenue de Lamballe.
Wedding of Antoinette Dupuis with Pierre Margottat and Jean Dupuis with Bernadette.
That same year 48, the Hausermanns were still in Argentina, (page 773), where Jean and Simone Cordelle met them on their journeys there.
1948, (page 774) Cordelle voyages in the USA (mission to Peoria, Caterpillar plants), Morocco (visit to Emile Hausermann), Uruguay (return to Riachuelo).

1949
For Yves, X contest, and start of his first year at Polytechnic
1949 in Paris (page 781), Jean-Paul returned to France for his studies, various family photos, first photos of Yves in polytechnician.
1949, Michel was in Indochina, page 782.
1949, summer in Vierville, (page 783), family, first cow of Jean-Paul, excursion to Cherbourg (the "Missouri").

1950 and 1951
For Yves, from October 50, 2nd year of Polytechnic
1950, Paris, (page 791), Yves at Polytechnique, Paris, trip to Belgium, Royal Military School, Brussels, Polytechnic Sports Day.
At the end of 1949-early 1950, Yves in Austria, (page 792)Skiing with polytechnicians in Austria, Zell-am-See, Zwiezelstein.
1950, Saint Laurent, (page 793), family photos, wedding of Edmond Jean's daughter, peak of the Hoc.
March 1950, trip to Algeria, (page 794), Algiers, Kabylie, EGA site of the Agrioun waed.
1950-51, François family (page 795)- Algiers, Valcros.
1950-51, Michel family, (page 796), baptism of Agnes in Paris, Oran.
1950-51, Argentina, (page 797)Jean and Simone Cordelle in Buenos Aires, the Hausermanns.
1951, Yves at Polytechnique, (page 801), Paris, Chartres Pilgrimage, Bourges (Military Equipment School).
Yves bought a 125cc motorcycle at the beginning of 1951, with his first pay.
(polytechnicians were actually paid only after the end of the legal period of military service, that is to say for Yves in October 50)
Late 50-early 1951, winter sports in Austria, Sölden (or Saalbach?) (page 802), with students from Polytechnics.
Winter 1951, Yves trip to Germany (page 803), still in ruins since the war, Munich, Nuremberg, Mainz, Berlin
1951, Yves' trip to Germany, (page 804), Artillery School, Idar-Oberstein.
Spring 1951, Yves' trip to Brittany (page 805).
Summer 1951, Yves trip to Alsace, (page 806) Strasbourg, the Vosges.
Summer 1951, Yves trip to Norway, Kristiansand, (page 807)The French University Mission.
Summer 1951, further travel through Norway, (page 808), Oslo, the fjords, back by Copenhagen
Autumn 1951, and years 52 and 53, for Yves
From October 51, 1 year of military service: second lieutenant of the Air Bases officers (in fact, the Genius) 2 months at the Salon-de-Provence Air School and 10 months in Toul:
1951-52, Stay in Toul, (page 811), 15th genius, housed in the city
Christmas 1951, holiday in Toulon, (page 812)
1952, tourism in Lorraine and Alsace, (page 813)
From October 52, for Yves, 2 years at the School of Bridges and Chaussées, (until June 54).
1952 and 53 in Normandy, (page 814)
1952 and 53 in Paris (page 815)
Autumn 1952, (page 816), tourism in Champagne and Belgium (Ardennes, Brussels, Ghent)
Years 1952-53, (page 817), first year of Yves at the school of Bridges and Chaussées
Argentina 1952-53, (page 818)
The Weill Canon (page 819)
December 1952, (page 820), skiing in Gunzesried in the Black Forest, meeting Franco-German
Summer 1953, (page 821), meeting Franco-German in Vézelay
In the autumn of 1953, Yves met Claude Rougier at the meetings of the French University Mission, an association that organized cultural trips of students abroad.