Nany in Germaine and Jean Hausermann in Rosario
Vierville4 June 1940 - Tuesday
Alas! my dear children, the news of our France is always very critical and we must have the body pinned together to keep the hope of seeing our cause triumph. It seems that these Boches are the soul of hell itself. Yesterday evening at 8am the TSF gave us news of an intense bombardment on Paris 200 wounded, 45 dead including a dozen girls, our fighter planes, the DCA did wonderfully and shot down17 aircraft; and then finally! The Air Ministry suggests that the objectives in Germany will no longer be purely strategic, but the English, gentlemen to the end, did not want to admit such a war; it must come there.
A message from the US's Amb. Bullitt sent to Roosevelt, reports that a bomb fell at the embassy, without bursting, while he was having lunch with our AirL minister. Eynac, remember that it is Place de la Concorde. That's the only indication that we have about the purpose of these bandits.
We have suffered this whole week, which included the withdrawal of our army from the North, caught in a pit since that damn Leopold signed his capitulation. Who delivered ours, the conditions he signed are spread throughout the newspapers "the troops who had to put themselves on each side of the roads to let the army go by bogged down."The Allied soldiers caught in a pocket of Arras at the sea (where we still have the citadel of Calais, Dunkirk) fought like lions to reach the sea without drinking, without eating, without sleeping – 20 days it is said!A real miracle! We could start to re-embark them to England. The first French convoy arrived Sunday evening by Cherbourg, returning our exhausted soldiers. One of them was able to get his wife, who lives in St. Lawrence, to know that he was safe. (Every army is headed for Le Mans)ir The North regiments were made up of many Bretons and Normans. The poor Leterrier have been without news of their son for 24 days, like the Saillards for their eldest, a brave and strong man, engaged! Laurent Thomas whom you have (sighs)And then I'm not hearing from the Blue Villa, so your brother Rémy!...Georges Victoire, after having given a strong blow had just been brought back to remake himself, he was lucky. The letters are full of desire to avenge his comrades.
Here we take precautions for a bad advance. I have to house 3 senior officers and 40 soldiers. I immediately had my big room, Fl. (Flondrois or Tio Mio) And the Bishop's, I will also abandon them the little lounge and the pool room. Everything for our dear army, and I will do as best I can to make our soldiers comfortable.
Aunt, Claude and the little girl left for Paris on Thursday, the first time in the world.era immediately left for the Centre with Martha P. (Marthe Pichorel) who rented a small house there. Claude doesn't seem to be in a hurry to go and settle in the Périgord at her husband's aunt who owns a superb property where she already has the mother of Edward and her sisters. She says she is bored. In reality I think she had to be asked to do better than what she did. She looks after her daughter very well, but that's all, she's very careless,... even though she left me a room in a pitiful state, and smelling bad, since she has been open ever since. I confess that I would have willingly kept my old Tantine, but that Claude is a ball. The little girl is adorable, and she's a good girl, but that's not enough. Fortunately, Suzon had come with her f. de ch. to help me out, because Martha who barely got an angina didn't exist, as for me I didn't have to tell you that the current events are not serving my health. I am no worse but I'm not worth a nail! I react badly against all these misfortunes, and I am no longer like a real French woman.
Suzon left on Saturday, taking my values that I warned her to the St. Gen. in Coutances. This in case we were forced to evacuate Vierville, which I don't think she is. She is very brave your elder without her husband, of which tomorrow perhaps if Italy goes to war, she could be cut off.
Our Phil is fine, he's digging trenches, a little behind him, but the bosom planes are constantly harassing them. Poor kid!
Meanwhile Sim. came to take J.P. and Fr. who composed until Saturday for the Central Ec. They had to go by Sunday with Jean to M.B.(Montreuil-Belay) And go back to C yesterday. (Coutures) But I don't have confirmation, our phone is cut off from one place to the other. I regret it because we could get some of our new ones.
Restrictions are on: 750g of sugar per month; 4 days a week; 30 l of petrol per car; and increasingly rare oil. 50kg of coal per month And by 3 people... I really don't know how we're gonna get away with it this summer when we're 12 people to eat and winter scares me. Fortunately, wood doesn't miss out on the stake; we're still narrowing its space. vital.
The first third of class 40 is called, so it must be counted that Jean-Pierre will go to the 1stir seven; I hope that his military preparation and the X will put him at the start of the peloton of the aspiring ones. This is what happened to the St. Cyrians in the last 7th, even those who had been re-educated to the school. It was very difficult to retain the brave little one to engage, but he must also prepare himself after war for his future.
I wrote to Cr. Lyonnais to sell 2 Act of the P.R. (Port of Rosario) I've got money, but I have to have everything I need in case we're cut off from Paris, or forced to leave (which I hope not, I repeat, but we have to be ready).
We see the big road of carriages filled with furniture, women, old men, who are pushed back here. But they are people from the North. All Belgians have been pushed back to the Centre. Good! (it is said that it is to better watch them)J-I admit that I saw without pleasure these subjects of such a king. Some people no longer dared to go out, others on the contrary held their heads and our little epicier whose husband is in Belgium has unwittingly come out of the shop a certain Belgian baronne, who found that Leopold had done well. I only regret one thing, it's that she didn't get him arrested.
We have a civic guard composed of all the valid men (Leon is!) who keeps guarding every night in our little paths, we fear what happened in Belgium, a silent invasion of this famous 5nd armed, ready to help the Boches when it is necessary. It's no longer a war. (????)Our men are ordered to fire if they have a rifle and 5 cartridges. Our two boys have been registered to take custody as soon as they are here, they will also help in the farms.
When will they come? I don't know. Michel spends this week the Navale competition in Cherb. The two seniors are not unhappy with what they have already done, but the result is impossible to predict. J.P. would also like to try the T.P. S. He did nothing, the examination will be in August, in Paris.... If Paris is still possible.
It was Sunday communion here, sad communion of which most of the fathers, gds brothers were absent. There were tears in many eyes. A young abbot escaped from the North now lives in the presbytery and helps the parish priest of St. L. (St. Lawrence) I don't know if I told you that the heir of our old priest (his nephew) had a virgin in old fashion brought back to me in memory of this one. I had expressed a desire to buy something for sale that will take place this summer of the furniture and trinkets that remained in the presbytery (not much!)
My neighbors at Than's mansion came to me; he was a wholesale grocer in Paris and having known that I could not make sugar jams, he came with 25 K., before the 1st.ir June (date of restriction). It's a nice way to introduce themselves and I warmly thanked them. It's good, it looks simpler, though very well raised, they have 4 children, 2 boys and 2 girls, these 14-year-old twins have a teacher and are doing their studies here, our children have already merged at the beach last year, the eldest son is 18 years old and prepares his bacchot to go then with his father, the second is on a large farm in Longueville and he will exploit Vierville. I am happy with these neighbors friends for the girl who is especially located q.q. The Than mansion has been very well repaired, roofs and walls, but according to what they say there is nothing in it. They have a house in Ch. Thierry which for the 2nd century, is not a place of great interest.nd - I'm sorry.
Guill. (Pierre's Gullemette, Gruchy) came back alone, her mother was ill in the south; her brother would be engaged in the Legion Etr. ..... She failed to rent the castle.
We heard the wind gunnade of N.E. all day long (on 1 Januaryir June, bombing on Le Havre or Rouen ??) And we were woken up this night by three strong detonations that shook our windows, probably some plane bogged down on one of our boats. All the boats of Grandcamp and Port went underground one night for Cherbourg where they formed an imposing convoy which left for Dunkirk and Calais and participated in the rescue of our army. Our sailors rifled wonderfully under the Admiral Abrial's command. They did admirable acts of bravery; the TSF yesterday reported the story of a reporter saved these days. He had to go into the water up to his neck to win a boat that led him with a young Lt. Englishman to a destroyer where they were comforted, fed. The little Englishman said after: "Believe me I like a bath in Cannes or Antibes in May." It's English; all our boats from the smallest to the largest were flying the national flag-the same-despite the boh planes that were flying over them by machine guns. Is it pretty good?
Suzon met with French sailors from Cherbourg and probably going to join the North. The troops of Gal Blanchard and Gal Prioux were admirable.
(The following text appears to refer to the above,nd subparagraph (t)
The first one was in one of the cattle cars that was returning our soldiers from Cherbourg to Le Mans where our soldier from St. Lawrence was. I know since Mr. Leterrier's guard, passing on this train at the station of the Molay, jumped off the train and arrived at his house in the middle of the night. You see here the scene. He is leaving today for Le Mans, I don't think he will be punished.
WEDNESDAY – (5 June)
Meanwhile, my darling children, you spent a few good days in this charming Riachuelo where your dear father and I have often been looking for some peace.
Even in ordinary times the people of your country have often weary us by their ideas and claims, it was necessary the primary reason that kept us there to stay, and for my part I left no friend when leaving. The result was still far from good for your dear dad who could not hold on any longer and who has due come back
Home. Take courage my children and hold the French flag at arm's length.
Here is the time to wish you a good feast, my dear Maine, that God will help you do all your duty and grant you the health necessary to carry out your task as a woman, as a mother and as a Frenchman. I will send you a book because I have nothing else that can go away.
I'm glad the kids were able to enjoy a few good days. We have to tell my JP that the comrade (Yves?) The TSF today announces that 900 people have died, including more than 200 children, following the raid on Paris on Monday. Italy, whose intentions are still unknown, is to make it an open city, leaving only the carabinieri who serve as police.
Goodbye, my dears, sweet kisses to you five of your old Nany.
Let's pray
(PS) Our bells are only ringing if you're alerted.
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Nany in Germaine and Jean Hausermann in Rosario
Viervillelundi 24 June 1940
My dear children, I have not written to you last week, I am without news of you, your sisters and children, of J.C. and my Phil who must still be in the fight (sill still lives!) of George, of all finally; I hope you will have received my last letter plane of June 13. I wrote to you here: Simon arrived from Ch. (Cherbourg)with Mich. (whose examination was interrupted by bombardments on Ch.) (Coutures) She had taken her son back, because it was about parking our boys. Sim. (15 June) (with Tattoo) to follow in the South despite my resistance. (17 June) I asked to go back here, despite the more loving insistence of your two sisters, but my health does not allow me these long car races, and with more uncomfortable relays, nights on the ground with a cover, and I should have left myself at the first turn, I know that I did it to them, and I hope they could have gone back here to join J.C. to M.B. (Montreuil-Belay) ??
(After returning Nany to Vierville on 17 June, Simone and Suzanne planned to leave Coutances on the morning of 18 June with the 3 large, the 2 small and Bonne-Maman in the 2 Peugeot 402. Around 7 p.m. on 17 June the Germans crossed Coutances, coming from the South, walking from the Rouen region, chasing the English – their last caterpillars were seen about 5 p.m. going up to Cherbourg - and trying to get their port to board as soon as possible. Cherbourg fell on 18 June after a weak French resistance.nd PanzerDivision, commanded by Rommel at the time, which led this 200 km load on 17 June from Rouen to the outskirts of Cherbourg, passing through the South of Calvados.
The Germans were there, and our parents were unsuccessful in sending the three boys to England by fishing boat on the night of June 17-18. They feared especially for the great young people who could worry about the Germans.
Here are François' memories of this, very specific: "I'm going back to what happened when the Germans arrived at Coutances:
It is true that we were ready to leave in the two cars (already loaded), when the Germans passed. The departure was naturally set back, but, fearing being taken away by them, we left, Jean-Pierre, Michel and I, with a comrade, Michel Vincent, towards the south, with like any luggage a bag filled and some money; of course, this walk in the night was done with caution, in fear of being taken, sometimes in the fields outside the roads...(after all, I think that at that time, the Germans had other cats to whip than to take care of us). This led us to a farm the next morning, which was flattened, and we went back to Coutances, without meeting any Germans. Then, to hide ourselves, we were all four in the house of the Dupuis, in Agon.
When I think about all this, I think that fortunately we did not get on the road in the middle of the exodus..."
Since then, our beautiful and dear country has been invaded by troops in green of all motorized grey, we have seen them appear here from Wednesday (on 19 June) . I will not tell you everything that happened, know that we are at peace for the moment here, but the horrific surrender that filled us with stupor and sorrow has taken place; signed by one of our greatest and pure military glories! Is it possible! We can't believe it! France felled in q.q. days, an armistice signed at Compiègneand our lack of the word given to our allies! .. This is something that all French hearts don't console. We are without news, the post no longer works, nor the trains, the TSF itself, apart from the English, do not inform us any more since the Greens of Grey took Rennes where the main French post was located. I am thinking of you my dears, of your grief which is no worse than ours! Believe it. We still wait for the conditions that will undoubtedly be draconian to sign peace. I imagine that some by home must straighten our head, our turn will come, I cannot believe that God abandons us. You must be without news of yours, my little Maine and I wonder if your sister No is still in the Loiret with her little band, but where to go? The whole country to the center is invaded!
Goodbye, my four darlings, when will this letter come to you?
I kiss you very much.
Your Nany
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Nany in Germaine and Jean Hausermann in Rosario
Vierville30 June 1940
And this is my thirdnd My dear children, I am writing to you at all events and have not received anything from you for an infinite time. We have days of anxiety and trouble, the only good news I have to give you is that for four days the post has been working, at least between C. (Coutures) And here I corresponded with your sisters who could not leave him because of me! I have an infinite remorse, I should have meant to them more firmly than I wanted to leave here. They thought that if they insisted they would succeed in deciding; my place was here, my health did not allow me to go running the roads, to lie in a blanket in a field or barn, I would have become the dead weight that we do not know what to do and that we hesitate to give up. Their tender affection knew me here, it was better, but I understand their regret... and mine! they could have heard more easily from our Phil who was fighting on the Loire, from J.C. who probably couldn't leave M.B. (Montreuil-Belay) In time and thought prisoner; from G., finally that Italy's perfidy holds to B. (Bizerte) And we say without any news! Without talking about the infinite sadness of all our French hearts since such humiliation, we all have our cross, a very heavy cross that you doubt well, for I know you are suffering from not knowing anything about us!
My place was here, thanks to this and so far the greens who occupy all our villas have tried nothing, the M. (from Mons to Saint-Sever) , the Brunvilles are here, and also the Bughas, the Leterriers, Guillemette (G. de Pierres à Gruchy) I've offered to come to my house, but she prefers not to remain unoccupied; and so far everything is going well; I've had to provide a little bit of land for the little detachment that occupies the Casino; and I've closed the key gates to prevent anyone from entering my house like a mill. I have many things to tell you, my dear children, it will be for a little later. May God help us! We need them. I don't know when I see your sisters and the little ones, on The young people are being beaten up by the car, and they are being beaten up by the young people between the ages of 20 and 32. There is no doubt that there is a fear of help for our brave allies who are still fighting. (Grandcamp?)
I am thinking of you, my little Maine, do you have any news of yours? I write to you under the umbrella behind the house, it is a splendid time and everything is calm, quiet, cursed Hitler who has broken such a charm. I kiss you my dear ones with all my tenderness
Your Nany
(PS) Dubois is very up to his task taking with energy the defense of his people.
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