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Nany at Germaine and Jean Hausermann in Rosario in September 1939
Vierville - Friday 1ir Sept 1939(EXTRACTS)
... the whole country is a weapon in its fists; the village has been emptying from all the men available for a few days; it will soon be left only the young and the old.
Our Phil's going to the 1st.ir The mobil. gong. gener. actually exists without the word being spoken. We evacuated Paris from all the little ones, we received and installed yesterday in the small hotels that you know 50 very small between 2 and 5 years accompanied by women of service and schoolgirls of good will (including your two brothers-in-law) went to the station of Bayeux. There was a whole train arrived with a thousand children to distribute in Bayeux. Everything went in the greatest order, the little ones with their name, their destination, their address inscribed on a metal plate and attached to the neck. J-d had received the visit of a delegate of the Red Cross and my 2 daughters were at his disposal to help him receive, to put all this little world together. Ourbrave Dubois had indeed taken a lot of activity to organize beds and rooms, and from yesterday night all this little world was sleeping peacefully after having been walking on the "beautiful sand" and seen "the great Seine"; They are all small children of the 4th century.nd Arrdt – not rich! – At their age it will be easy to console them for their mother's absence that they will no longer demand in 2 days. Some who seemed delighted to be in the cars of your brothers-in-law took this for a part of pleasure, there was one which encouraged Jean Cordelle to go faster and to overcome the previous car. We recognize there the little octopus! We will have others, all empty houses are requisitioned here, for both the children and the evacuated inhabitants. Strasbourg is partly, and here we have Messins who came for their own account, when it was still easy to travel.
Mrs Cordelle (Mama)who had joined Paris came to meet us here; the government invites TSF several times a day not to stay in the capital; Jean C. despite his repeated visits to the gendarmerie of Trevières and a registered letter to his recruitment office still knows nothing about his destination.
And you, my Jean, have something new for the time that will be granted to you? If so, my dear Maine, what are you going to do? Come back? Very likely you will settle near your parents? or near me? You know that my house is always open to you, it is yours...
... our life is made of all concerns; here there are several young mothers who had to leave; I saw 2 who are without money; I sent them back with a viatice that will allow them to send some warrants to the father left the empty stock exchange. I remain in contact with the brave Dubois, who can report to me the misery and charming Huet (The teacher) Back from her short vacation to keep her place here, she's a good girl.
Jeanne's son (Jeanne de Léon, he was doing his military service) wrote from Maubeuge that they are ready to leave and that this will soon. Poor mother is crying silently.
Your older woman doesn't do so much and rebukes her grief, he's only inside – like ours – and it shows up at her cheeks that are all pale against her habit. Fortunately Georges is still there, we form block! and despite everything else stoked.
Your sisters didn't make the visits they were planning to make to our friends in the area. M.T. deBournonville's tea was uncommanded. No one had to go and chat with the little cakes. (Family the Parmentary) settle here, Emile is mobilized,
My Doctor (Lehoux, in Trevières) I'm sure he's going to see me and ordered a whole diet for two months. I'm definitely stronger, but you have to admit that the current circumstances are not for my hearts; it's a young Doctoress chosen by Lehoux who will come to replace him at Trevières. I regret his departure, he is young and has an energy that good Dr. Artaud (Dr. de Paris) - No more.
....Ms. Godard is at La Mine with her twins, Annette and some of her grandchildren; Louis and Pierre (who lived in Antwerp- ??-) are mobilized....
... Dupuis is mobilized at the Banque de France in Isère, his two sons-in-law are mobilized (Guy Jenny) or retained as such at their plant (Andre Liébaut at Babcock's), etc., all of France is on the verge of war...
...did I tell you Colette Dessus had to be evacuated to St-Germain's friends in an ambulance, the baby?
(Benjamin) And a guard. Crillon where the other 2 small (Aline and Pascale) with a nurse being considered too far (125km). Gaby must reach Toulon on 2nd The day of the mobilization, rightly held to put his wife and "Benjamin" in shelter.
is very quiet and our neighborhood almost empty of women and children. It's better so. Naturally until further order we stay here. Georges is on leave until 17 and will go to White (place of withdrawal of Hersent's seat) Probably. His two sons (Phil left, the other hired) Suzon thinks he's joining with his daughter.
Simon will see a little later where to put his sons: Evreux, St. Brieuc? Let's wait, hope and pray.
The boat is finally over, beautifulThe word is not too strong, and it was built with all the desirable care. We passed a certain coating "pores mouth" that makes the canvas well waterproof and there passed 2 layers of a certain painting "a proposito". I don't know what the bottoms are, the parents have clogged holes, the mothers made a veil on the pattern of the one at the other canoe. Also this morning at 5 am, because of the tide, they went to pick a dish of famous mussels on the big rocks of the Percaea. We are happy to see them enjoy life again. J á had imagined a baptism sensea, it cannot be discussed, but last night before putting the boat in water, we baptized him with holy water by uttering sacramental words.
Even 3:00 pm, my letter interrupted by lunch was also by the general mobilization decree. So it's war...Tomorrow Phil leaves us and probably Jean Cordelle. I don't need to tell you how we all feel....
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Nany to Jean and Germaine Hausermann in Rosario
Vierville Friday, September 7, 1939(EXTRACTS)
My dear children, I am warned that the mail plane is removed, so only the ships that will leave... and will arrive no longer know when. I am without news of you, and this is very painful; a letter from Hébert to Jean Cordelle brought us however a copy of a telegram that you had sent to the street of London for your military situation, my John....
.....Jean C. has been away since Saturday morning 2 September for his former regiment in Tours. He works to train with others, a regiment of radiotelegraphists. He is therefore there for about ten days; he telegraphed to Simonde l'avoir if possible before the middle of next week with Fr. and Mich. using their car which they had brought brand new and which is not yet requisitioned; (that of Georges neither) about 300km away with good roads, Simon and the boys will drive this very well, they will leave tomorrow morning at 7:1/2 am and will have to be there in the afternoon. That will be a few days precious for them all....
.....Phil is here, not having yet received any calls, and despite the registered letter written to the recruitment office according to the councils of the gendarmerie of Trevières....
......The mobilization ended yesterday in the greatest calm, the men left without recrimination, the women held their tears.
Your sisters are very brave; all together – including Madame Cordelle – .... We work and knit for all the petiots who are here. Saturday your sisters were helping to install 80 petiots evacuated from Paris. Piprel had prepared them rooms and beds, he feeds them for a sum that does not allow him to enrich and already these little ones look better, their shrapnel laughs to hear; They are children of the 4th.nd (Bastille) – all poor – we had to drive them back to Bayeux hospital, Georges is the very convenience, and his car has already done many services. We expect 80 women and children tomorrow, evacuated from Vincennes, Legallois, Pignolet, Merlin were requisitioned for them, on the 2nd day of the week.nd The women will arrange with food from the village, pending the allocation of allowances at the end of the month.
Ms. Huet uses the most intelligent of all in the world and with unalterable dedication to satisfy everyone and his father, which is very difficult. (horse) that Jean-Pierre was taken yesterday morning to Trevières where he was immediately led in troop to Caen. I regret it, but what is this next to the sacrifice of so many mothers, so many women! ....
.....No news from the French front and this "a proposito" the newspapers are ruthlessly censored; and we really do not know... what it is that we are told by the TSF which gives us official communiqués several times a day.....
......It's possible that trains of wounded arrived yesterday in the elegant stations of the coast, I hid the news from my daughters, our brave Jeanne and Leon whose son is now in heavy artillery, we don't know where; because defense is made to say it; he has excellent morale of the rest the brave little one, they will know soon enough that the flesh bleeds and suffers. We all have to keep the blood-cold and courage. I'm afraid that in the villas on the beach we are less resigned. The good Germaine Parmentier who came to see me yesterday made a description that disappointed me. All the villas are almost occupied, and as a result (even in the village) the evening lighting has been severely regulated. Our old house is easy to hide, from night on it's the most complete black. It is a question of not giving any indication to the Boches, already we see along the coast large cargoes, and the semaphorus is populated by mathurins; While all the fishermen in Grandcamp have taken their bags back to get on our boats, they are still the old and too young who took over the small boats to go fishing and help the families of the sons who have left;
We are not rationalised for a penny, the food is not measured, which allows to satisfy our boys whose appetite stings with the air from the sea. Butter has decreased significantly, the shipments to Paris being partially stopped, in part because trains can take civilians to the impossible.
Denise de M.(from Mons, Collières?) has gone to hold the clinic d'Orsay, her husband is mobilized and her son (Gerald) is... we don't know where, who learns to fly, all well-better fortunately. ....It's George who took them all to the train, weapons and luggage..
...I received this morning a letter from the Czechoslovakian legation asking me if need be, I will not refuse my advice and help to the secretary's wife, sent here with about ten children whose fathers have committed themselves to fight the Boche. Of course!
...My garden is always beautiful, we pick pears, j'en will send in basket tomorrow to the little ones on the beach....
I wrote to all our friends, including your mom, my little Maine... no answer.
Gaby Dessusa joined Toulon, his wife and daughters are in Crillon.
Emile Parmentier is still in Brétigny sur Orge, because of his eyes m-a repeated Germaine last night. Marcel P. is in a hospital in Savoie. Dr. P. and Mrs. are apparently very struck; it's wrong. Cheer up! I believe in us.
What are you doing, my four darlings?... What do you think you're doing? .... I can't wait to read you.
The Hersent office is at the White where he must be located. Georges immediately offered himself, he was told that for the moment everything was waiting. He would like to enjoy his Phil, as long as he is still at home. For Jean-Pierre, the competent people advise to wait....
......It is said (officially), that bosom planes have been reported on Bourges, Poitiers, Le Havre, no damage. The Royal Air Force bombarded German squadron and 30 Polish planes Berlin. Will the Boches know the horrors of the war?...
.....at the moment we learn that Phil is appointed to a regiment of genius in Versailles, sapper-minor, where he will have to be on 16....
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Nany to Jean and Germaine Hausermann in Rosario
Vierville Tuesday, September 12, 1939(EXTRACTS)
My darling children,
...... Simone left on Saturday in a car with the 2 elders for Tours to say goodbye to her husband whose regiment is restored on Thursday for... the unknown. It will be a big separation for your eldest, she is very brave... and accepts this separation with a Christian force. God protect them all. I think that the travelers will be here on Thursday, their journey went very well in their beautiful and good car, and the two boys now drive as father and mother. (I just read this morning that the driving license will be granted from 16 years old).
Our Phil will have to be at his regiment of geniuss on Saturday morning in the city of great kings but he will probably be for 2 months to make a soldier and we hope to see him again. Simon will go with Georges Friday to drive him, I guess everything that it will have to tear; despite the courage and the will of all to hold and finally put the rabid beast at the epile! Georges will bring his wife back here and will go to Le Blanc where the offices are located; no doubt he will have from time to time to fulfill as your dear father in the war of 1914.
Then we will have to organize for our big boys whose studies cannot be neglected. It is recommended that families do not return to Paris for this... ... so we have set up centres for preparing for the great schools everywhere. Simone has to settle in Caen, Rouen, nearer here; so if possible not to abandon completely (Ms Cordelle will settle with her).
As for Suzon, it is likely that she will settle in furnished at Poitiers. After careful reflection and family council, Jean-Pierre was decided to try in April (date fixed for the exams of the great schools) the examination of the X and Centrale. He has every chance to succeed; and would immediately leave for the army; but his future (and one must think about it despite all the situation) would be fixed, everything else being at the end of the war if one comes back! to enter a school on full foot, instead of preparing for it.
Phil is determined not to get his nose back in the math, though it happens!
Our life is flowing slowly! So hard despite our fingers working for soldiers and young people. The little ones we have a whole horde at Piprel, whose fathers are in the armies, they have already changed mine. We also have a small colony of Czechoslovak children whose fathers have committed themselves, and whose mothers work in Paris ...... I've been watching them, they are under the supervision of the wife of the secretary of chancery who heals them and feeds them for 6F per day and per head !....
We are not lacking here, but butter and all milk products have even fallen, as they have been in the autumn.
The brave Dubois, after having taken the horses, organized the arrivals of the refugees, helped the baker (he is mobilized) to make bread. What a good man. Everyone helps the neighbour his best, our great boys were offered their arms, we scrupulously used them and yet God knows if they would do it with good heart....
He is still in Paris; his wife with the last child Benjamin in St-Germain, the 3 daughters and a nurse in Crillon, but it will be necessary to make an installation for winter, as soon as Gabriel leaves for Toulon.
...Nothing about the Bousquet or Flondrois who must be more and more ill....
...On the Parmentier side, the two comrades left, the Dr. stayed here and was obligingly busy with the sick; almost all the villas were occupied by mothers, women, children, and the gendarmes had a lot to do in the evening to make the eyes of all these illuminated windows closed.
The other day a strong cannonade to the NO made us assume that this one was not far away. And the sky is covered by large bombers squadrons who monitor the sea and protect the landing of our friends from the Channel, whose big cars crisscross our roads loaded with equipment and probably "jams" ???? And tea. How comforted to feel these brave boys and their cavalry of St George next to us.
I really want to write to my Commodore in Vierville, who may be walking around with his camera at home that his old house is ready to welcome him in his moments of rest.
It's beautiful, almost beautiful, the flowers are too bright, we pick pears and our little refugees have already taken advantage of them.
I don't know if I told you that my horse will be paid 6600F, it will help me pay my rent, taxes and fill a little hole in Plan Young, on which I can no longer count...to the grace of God!
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Nany to Jean and Germaine Hausermann in Rosario
Vierville, Saturday, September 16, 1939 (EXTRAITS)
Well, my darling children, I heard from you.
......If your dear father had been there he would have said "it's good!" I tell you for him my dear son. Once all your duty done for the Hersent and the French interests that you represent in Argentina you will come to France to do your duty as French and officer. Each one in his place, it is necessary for our dear country that the Boches bernevolve for too long. My old dalsacian blood once again revolts, and with him no doubt the one whom I gave up before me, and which I come between us and these people, is a secular hatred!
......... The men have left, are replaced in our farms by the old ones, the women and the young. Michel is now busy getting to Dubois, and on Monday the remaining 3 boys will go back to a small farmer whose husband is at the front.
Our Phil left us yesterday, very courageously, he had to be at the barracks this morning, he is poured into the genius, as student of the TP. He will do as soon as he can the peloton of the aspiring ones. Suzon, G and even JP have gone to drive him in car, they must bring back a good package of things necessary for an installation in Coutances where are registered our boys for l-X and Navale....
.... Simone returned from Tours the day before yesterday with her two sons, always in car, with François to try to find a house in Coutances where to settle with his children, Suzon and the 2 cadets, and Mrs Cordelle. (October)
Jean Cordelle left for an unknown destination with his radio regiment; in excellent physical and moral condition, with good and cheerful comrades to whom he does not fear giving the reply. May God keep him. He is probably part of the infernal duo that is playing in the East. We all have confidence.
No news of Jeanne's son, it's long, he had to leave from the 1st.ir day for the front.
Georges was asked by Le Blanc to take Bertard's place (in Bizerte) ....I understand all the anxiety that it will have to get away from his own and... from France, but he has to do work there for the National Defense and is it not better than to stay in a city too quiet from Indre. It seems to me that Hébert, Bénézeth and Beaujon are enough for this bereavement. Georges Hersentqui lives in his castle you know (Azay-le-Féron)I know that you've been temporarily suspended, and I've even written to Hébert asking him to keep me informed. I also know that your young brother-in-law was asked. (Jean Cordelle)If he did, he would agree to go back to his place. He answered by telephone that if he was absolutely necessary he would leave, but preferred his current task, congratulations!
Suzon will be driving tonight with G. and JP, but tomorrow G will be leaving for Le Blanc and probably following on his destination.
Here we harvest pears, and I was able to send good baskets to small refugees and also to small Czechs; he also goes to more than one village house, and we knit like devils, Mrs Cordelle is a valuable help and enriches our woollen provisions for winter.It will take a lot for soldiers and little ones; it is not about letting ourselves be won by the cold.
Seen no one of our friends, Guillemette de Pierre travels the roads in a bike ....... with his nephew who is 17, ....
This one has a great dedication in time of war. Dubois was given back here, fortunately, he is at the fair and mill helping everyone, comforting the frightened – between two small strokes of calvados, of course –
Here! This leads me to tell you that the bum finally decided to come (he is a Reformed) for two days my 1,400l barrel of big cider that had been waiting for two years has moved in 96 l of exquisite calva, it is said, and which only asks to get older. We will celebrate with, not my Jean?J
.......I continue my injections and given the circumstances my health holds on! It's beautiful!...
....do you have any equipment to prepare? Tell me. Jean has taken over his belt, naturally...
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Nany to Jean and Germaine Hausermann in Rosario
Vierville, Tuesday, 19 September 1939(EXTRACTS)
..... Simon has been to Coutances, Thury-Harcourt ( ? why ??), to try to rent a house in Coutances large enough for them all ; she has registered the 5 children in high school . This one is designated as well as that of Le Mans for preparation for gdes schools , JP and Fr prepare the , Michel Navale. JP after advice taken from many edges must first introduce himself to the X in April and then go, received I hope. We must think well about making the future of all these young ... if they return ! Mrs Cordelle will live Coutances with them ; I will stay here where I have a lot of misery to relieve .......
....my brave (doctor) Lehoux left with the 43nd (Cherbourg regiment) where he is a doctor.... Simone met his regiment the other day leaving Caen, in excellent order of march, full of guns and ammunition, all new, soldiers, officers of beautiful outfit, horses in excellent condition, Long live France!...
.... The Russians entered Poland on the pretext of maintaining order, the unfortunate Poles are crushed between the Boches and the Russians. These have always been – whatever they may be – traitors and rains....
.... Our friends from across the sea continue to land near here; it is a wonder to see their equipment and equipment. They settle on the west coast of our peninsula, Simon returned last night to cross them all the time, and the planes fly over us often. The semaphore is filled with veterans and our customs officers have appeared again; we watch over the Boches; if only one of their submarines fails here! ...
Our boys helped harvest, Michou spent all Saturday's work at Dubois; he held the blow very valiantly despite the hard task that had to be done.
.... Mr Chedal and Hélène are looking to rent a house in Grandcamp. Part of the village is evacuated, there is no more one child...
....Flondrois is still at the clinic, cared for by his sister and niece, and finally talks about leaving Paris, if he hadn't been so stubborn, he would be quiet in Stang Ar Lin.
Nany to Jean and Germaine Hausermann in Rosario
Vierville, Tuesday, September 20, 1939(EXTRACTS)
My darling children,
I am kindly warned that the mail plane is being restored with you, without knowing the day, I am writing to you now; our letters on Paris and all of France are very delayed, and for reason: control and a staff reduced to the PTT, to the convoys, the letters are mainly reserved for soldiers, I risk while waiting perhaps to miss this blessed mail.
...I got your lucky flight letter on Saturday 16th.ir Jean, she was responding.
...I have nothing of Toulon little Maine, but I wrote three times and I would have liked to tell you that everything was fine among your braves who soon joined their place.
... Here: Georges Chedal, to replace Bertard for work in the national defence, leave at the end of the week for X times (in Tunisia)Perhaps the entire duration of the war.
... Jean C. left from 1ir He left with great calm and courage and Simon was able to go on a car with his two eldest sons to say goodbye a few days later, before the departure of his regiment for the front, he found himself in excellent physical and moral condition, kindly surrounded by good comrades and very cheerful.
Phil is incorporated into a regiment of genius in the city of great kings, registered with the EOR, he is excellent morale, very trained and writes letters full of humor.
... your two very brave sisters are working to settle in Coutances, which is not easy, because of the instruction of their sons. No preparation for the big schools will be made in Paris where there is always fear of a raid of our bullies from the East. So 1500 students are sent to the high school of Coutances and it is a matter of internal accommodation and parents in a small town of 5000 inhabitants. This is a real problem; Simon is pretty sure to have a small house unfurnished, but she will bring her furniture and we will complete what will be lacking with the resources of the old house.
On the very advice of officers, it is preferable that JP present the X next April (he has what it takes to be received) and then leave to the armies. If God wants him to return to his place on the school benches.
Fr. will also make the X and Jean C. has authorized Michel to do Navale. Yves and Brigitte will find in 2 respective high schools the classes that suit them. Mrs Cordelle will go live with them.
I will stay here where my place is, I owe myself to many miseries here, when it would be only to those 80 children aged 3 to 6 years, evacuated from Paris and who are settled at Piprel.They are poor children, it will take a lot of wooling this winter; we knit by force and I already have a good advance provision.
We also have women and young people who have been left with a few without resources, and the allowance will only be given at the end of the month.
Georges, the son of Jeanne and Leon was at the front from the first hour; he left very simply and with courage (he was on agricultural leave on the day of mobilization) but we have not heard from him since the 1stirI'm not sure if he's a good mother or a good man.
...Everyone does his duty without complaint, our boys help the farmers left alone to glean, our mayor makes bread on occasion, helps with beatings, etc. Mr. Leterrier saw his 2 sons and son-in-law leave and stays with 2 important farms on his arms, many Parisians have returned with the little ones, occupying the villas of the beach.
The Chedals father and daughter are in talks to rent a house in Grandcamp...
Nany to Jean and Germaine Hausermann in Rosario
Vierville, Tuesday 26 ( ?) September 1939(EXTRACTS)
.... Good news of Jean C. who is in the East and is comfortable with a good calm mood that I admire. Our Phil is in Poissy where he made peloton classes, Georges and Suzon have seen him in Versailles, he is very cheerful (his letters confirm it) despite the bugs, the lack of bed and blankets and the rather bad food. He just got dressed in a kaki horse pants, a jacket of hussard, blue fleece strips, and a calot...with fringes! He had gone with old stuff, as he should have, so the bottom of his grey flannel pants had given way, he proudly wore a piece of blue sheet cut into an old hood that a comrade had helped him sew.
Georges is on his way to Bizerte with a voucher from the Ministry of War because he is assigned there for important and very secret work interesting the DN. He is still in Marseille, waiting for the 1ir He was happy to be useful, it is obvious that his nervousness was due to his lack of activity. He was very happy to be able to make a good deal of money.
...we were without news of Jeanne's son, I no longer knew how to encourage those poor people who had not received anything since their son left. He is unharmed somewhere on the Saarside where he is fighting
... The return of the classes was delayed until the 16th, fortunately the cars are not requisitioned and the essence still optional, this will allow to carry all their barda and many things of which the old house is provided. Simon will bring his furniture that is in Paris, but it is necessary to be sure to have a house and also to count that the journey of the furniture will last X times, we will ensure no delay. They will install here in a very small furnished very clean that they have had the chance to find, this will allow the boys to start the studies from the 1stir day.
It is difficult to hold JP to engage; he pretended to be embussed. On all sides he is advised to wait a few months and to pass the exam of the X, it would prepare for the future, with which however one must have confidence, then he will have all the time to do his duty.
Georges had great difficulty separating himself from his own, but this is not the fate of all at this moment. We must accept the sacrifice with serenity and pray to God. Before he left, he was in the White car, with Suzon. Bénézeth, Hébert, Beaujon are there with their family, well settled, but very diminished, all by the worries we are going through... Marcel Hersent is at the Pyrotechnia of Bourges, Gilbert H. somewhere in the East, in a state-Major. Georges H. has taken over the direction of the house, which is slowing down of course. The Jean H. are in Nacqueville. I don't know where the B are. (Brichambeau).
Here we live a lot with our brave people in the village; and that's why I will stay, my task, however small, will be more useful here than anywhere else. It is also possible that the old house is requisitioned in part for refugees, we evacuate all Alsace on the Limousin. I will do my best to soften those who will need it the sadness of the hour. Meanwhile we knit with hardness, the newspapers, the TSF demand that all women knit while thinking about winter that brings in and will be hard for our soldiers. And then we're gonna have 100 other kids evacuated, I don't know where, and who're gonna need warm clothes... we're gonna set them up at Merlin, Pignolet, etc., where they'll find a comfortable welcome, already the 40 kids we've had for 1 month have changed mine.
Almost all the villas on the beach are occupied by their owners, including the Parmentier; ...
We do not miss anything, the prices of food are very monitored, and our brave gendarmes travel our roads to watch over everything. The English convoys continue in the best order and equipped with splendid materials to travel our roads, greeted by our peasants, and the planes that crisscross the sky warn us by their continued presence when a landing is made near us. They watch from high sea and the Boche.Salence like these; one feels the most horrible words come to the lips by speaking. Suzanne said that in Paris she attended the census of Russians who were leaving for a concentration camp. It's still too good for them to...
... my old Tantine refugee with her daughter and Micheline in a small hotel in Montereau (S and M) wrote that she is tired with this 3nd war (she was 20 years old in 1870) the most horrific of all, what could I leave last year for eternal peace?
...our boys are still helping in the farms where the farmers have been alone. ( ?) The husband who is mobilized operates the farm in Normanville, helping to get the buckwheat into the barns. They do it with the best heart, with even cheerfulness and we like them. I think that tomorrow they will go to the Ormel where Leterrier is almost alone to make a 100 ha farm walk, while your two sisters will ride on Coutances with a load and to know a little what to do? It is about October 16 for the return of classes.
I don't know if I told you that Mrs. Dupuis, whose husband is mobilized in a branch of the Banque de France, stays in Agon with her 2 children, 10 km from Coutances and 2 from Coutainville where Gillette is with her children, she would go to the clinic in Coutances to have her 4ndYvonne is waiting for her baby in January, but she would come to Normandy for that moment. She wanted to return to Paris where her husband is mobilized in her factory (Babcock)She does as everyone else and walks around with her mask, which is mandatory, but the warnings have not been renewed in Paris. We cannot believe in so much generosity on the part of the Boches and we wonder what they will come out of us unexpectedly.
... As you know Caen will not serve students, all faculties are transported elsewhere because of blast furnaces and powdering that operate at full efficiency by mobilisations from 40 to 50 years.
The 2 comrades of Lapisse and Puireux de Fiennes ( ?)engaged for a few months have met on the front, as enthusiastic as one, and we assume that a French plane that made yesterday three ostensibly the tour of the house mounted by Gérald Collières....
Nany to Jean and Germaine Hausermann in Rosario
Vierville, Saturday, September 30, 1939(EXTRACTS)
Here we are going to be fine, but Jean C. had to enter the hospital of Neufchâteau with stomach pains that made him suffer cruelly, he is going better and has to go out these days but with a diet that seems difficult to follow in the place that he currently occupies... Perhaps he would be better in an auxiliary service or better still to go back to Rosario. It's the idea that came by reading you this morning, my Jean, Drillon hardly seems to be suitable to go in for you, it was well opinion of Jean C. too. Hebert would have gone, a letter from him received yesterday where he tells me about your stay (which is not yet known) told me, but these gentlemen, he adds, find it useful where he is and he bows, not without regrets! The truth claims Simon who saw him in the White is that he has all the lust of an old man, as well as Beaujon and even Benezeth (that is Zezeth the most valiant of the colony on the street of London).
...A dispatch from Georges informs us of his good arrival in Bizerte, he will have to do a good job.
Good news of Phil doing his classes around Paris, where he's not hot, he says.
Your sisters have a dog's problem to find accommodation in Coutances where there are 3,000 refugees in addition to the 1800 students and their families, in a city of 4000 souls. The high school had to take 600 residents while there is only room for 150, and everything to the next. Your sisters have moved sky and earth, prefect, sub-prefect, deputy, mayor. Everywhere you come across a wall and because of it, the walls are not stretchy; They have finally discovered a very small furnished house: 4 rooms, clean, where they can always settle temporarily, they are talking about another one in the same kind, unfurnished, and nearby or communicating through the garden; I have here enough furniture in the attic and elsewhere to allow them to settle down enough, it cannot be asked until X time to bring in Simon's furniture.
The latest news announces the opening of classes for 9 October and 16 for specials. In front of such a flood of students we talk about sending back to Cherbourg the class of Navale.. it will not do the business of our future sailor, and it is again a question that he makes to Coutances a year d'hypotaupe. All this obviously indicates a lot of disorder, but the way to do otherwise when all the effort of our country must be for the army and the front. JP is quite saddened to not be able to start immediately with his elder; The reason demands that he try the X at the first opportunity, he will have all the time to do his duty. All those who are allowed to advise him talk about this idea. We must also think about the future, his own and that of France.
Jacques de Mons, whom I saw yesterday, said that her brother, who was 17 years old in 1914, had to prepare for the X, and had a good start from the 1st century.ir After the war, he did not want to stay in the army and in vain sought a civil situation... as so many others unfortunately.He now exploited his mother's small property, and resumed service naturally.
Our village is very animated by all the refugees and the little ones that we are sent to. It is said, and it is possible that many of them will come to their homes, their installation in some of our countryside is very precarious and insufficient. The government asks in vain which one does not return to Paris, where from one moment to the next the Boche can trigger a deadly offensive that would require a new evacuation.
...I still trust in our right to be right about these bullies, and in the valour of our army always full of spirit. The barracks are full of reservist soldiers who were allowed to come and harvest, they like it better than being unoccupied in the barracks.ir The Commission has not yet taken the necessary steps to ensure that the Community's fishing fleet is fully protected.ir Call.
No restrictions so far for the people of the rear, it is said that the fuel card will be introduced on November 1. L has facilitated that we have your sisters with their cars ... has helped things well, because we have only one more because to go back and back to Bayeux and trains are naturally reserved for soldiers.
.... Your sisters went to visit our well-removed neighbours and for cause. The La Heudrie have near them Monique and their daughter-in-law both waiting for a baby these days. They will go to the clinic in Bayeux. Jacques and Jean are both in front of the team, Michel and Hubert Tenaille are mobilized in Morocco, the elder pursuing his oil research.
....The food remains easy here and without any increase, but you have to wait one day or the other to review the bread, sugar, etc.
The weather has cooled down with the NE storms that we had all week; there is a burst in the small living room every night, and I will have fire in my large room that I will leave to move into the little apartment at the end when Simon and Mrs. C. leave for Coutances at the end of the week.
...We were told by a dispatch about Tio Mio's death, a letter from his niece received these days (very well turned) that he had just had a stroke of uremia, followed by an attack of paralysis, there was no hope left. This death is a deliverance for our old friend. His niece did not leave him day or night since 25 August, he was in a health home in Neuilly. The dispatch is signed Lagrave (the name of the niece) Lenail whom I believe to be the girl's name. They must have found themselves near his bedside, and I hope that the old Tio Mio who recognized his daughter a long time ago thought about the future of his niece and sister, there was part for 3. That God was in his holy care. It is still a little from the past that goes away, we must not forget the affection he brought to us all.
If you come back in a few months, Jean, do you think you can take Maine and the little ones with you, no neutral ship will take you and for cause, and you will therefore take a French one when there is one (they say that Massilia was refused by the state). I think Maine, she, could take a neutral but when ? and for where ? J-I would like to feel you already arrived ....
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Simone in Germaine and Jean Hausermann in Rosario
Saturday, 30 September 1939
My dears, I wanted to write to you last week, but Nany had to tell you our races in Coutances to get to a roof, it's annoying as possible, we were until the prefect, the congressman, finally a real odyssey, all this to finish with 4 small pieces for 10 people, you see that here, it's still annoying when you have everything else. Mom will have told you that my Jean has just had a strong stomach attack with fever, he has now left his quartering, but I'm afraid that it will happen again, what is he eating there? Apart from this all the news of the soldiers are good, as I think of you, my little Maine! Our Nany is a little tired these days, not all these events are made for her. But overall she is still infinitely better than when we arrived where she was going from her bed to her chaise longue. She now flows in the garden and the house, and she feels much more strength; if this life of anguish ended, I am sure we would hold the right end.
My little Maine, it's impossible to bring our furniture to Coutances, so your pretty Bolivian money is stuck until the end of the war, excuse me. Want to tell Mrs. Cordivola that I have her "footra" here, I dare entrust it to the Post Office... does she have an idea?And to Miss Patrikios whom I dare send her old aunt her tank blaze, I fear that the convent was evacuated.
I think of you, what are you going to do, Capt? Mrs. Canone is staying in Rosario? A letter from Mrs. Cousin tells me that she is in S and Oise and does not say a word from her husband. Thank you to her for the picture of the station, a horror to tell her, but don't tell her!
Good kisses to all four, my dear old men, live France, your Sim