7222
October 13, 1941, Jean Cordelle au Blanc, from Paris and returning to Jean Hausermann in Rosario. Draft of the letter.
These letters are from the free zone, they take a long time to arrive (not all come) and are opened (possibly seized) by French censorship from France. The editorial staff is therefore cautious, makes some references to politics in the sense that is appropriate for the air of time, and does not say everything.
My dear Jean
Your letters of August 6 and 30 have arrived, each in four weeks of travel, which is acceptable. Although we all know in good conditions it is always very nice to read you and to know what you are doing. We did not answer earlier, having not had the opportunity, Georges or I, to go to White. Suzanne was writing, but my trip being decided within a few hours – according to the good habits of the company – she could not finish before my departure; Georges will come soon and will send you.
Your power has come to pass, thank you. The inventory of Vierville was made, it was signed by Mayor Leterrier. We kept the apartment of Nany, 27 B.C. of Lamballe; the owner paid a rent of 2000F (one quarter of the normal rent), and we got exempted from the contribution of the property, the apartment being not inhabited and being used in storage; it was the least expensive solution.
We have spent the last three months in Vierville without any difficulties, but it may be more so in the future, as the Germans have just created a coastal area in which only those who have their main residence can live and move; this is all new and we do not know yet whether we can be classified as (this will be possible because Leterrier has provided us with local ID cards)If access is not allowed, Martha and the new guards will naturally stay on site, and we will charge Pommier with the supervision of the property. We will keep you informed. Leon and Jeanne have been replaced by a younger household with 2 children in low age, about which Pommier has given us excellent information; they will be in office the day after tomorrow, Suzanne is there for a fortnight and will bring them to the notice. A difficulty is presented about the accommodation that is too small; we must be able to accommodate guards with children. Are you willing to make 2 rooms (a large and probably a small) above the current housing? I think the sooner it will be the better, a Bayeux entrepreneur can do this to us within a few months, and the more we wait, the more expensive it will be.
Apart from that, everything is going well here in Vierville; we are staying a dozen horses in the stables.
(He did not say everything: the horses to be housed were German, not a word of the German officers housed at that time, 1 or 2, Captain or lieutenant, with the ordinances in the commons with some soldiers for the horses). From the vegetable garden we made as much vegetables as possible, but potatoes suffered from a wet August month; fortunately it is not the same everywhere in France and the harvest is quite beautiful.
François and Michel finished their exams late, we only went to Vierville in September, but we were favored by the good weather, and they are well given to go home with hay, to do the beatings and to take baths, as well as Philippe and Jean-Pierre.
Francis was 5nd After the last one on the list of admissions to Polytechnic; as there are already a dozen resignations, it can be considered received, but the official notice has not yet appeared; it will have given us emotions. Michel is received at Navale 35nd Here they both leave the house since Polytechnique is in Lyon, and naval school in Toulon, Fort Lamaglais next to the Mouillon. Vautrin is there. I don't need to tell you that both are very happy to have finished with the Specials. Michel leaves in 8 days and François probably at the end of the month, leaving a big void in the house. Yves enters in 4nd At Janson de Sailly, where the principal has just gathered the parents to explain the new teaching guidelines and the difficulties of the hour; we have finally sound leaders, I hope they will be applied. Yves often thinks of Jean-Paul because he has not yet found himself bound with his peers and it is very unfortunate.
We have news from time to time of Germaine's family and we will have news more often now since Michel is in Toulon, and we know their difficulties, as the South of France is not well-shared for some food.
The health of all here is good. Don't make you dark ideas about our life, you don't have to exaggerate the difficulties. Life is complicated because limiting the quantities to be distributed requires many regulations, the housewives have much to do and think about, but we are in favor and so far everything is going well, moreover the supply presents an improvement on what it has been, everything would be easier if as Marshal Pétain says, everyone was doing well what he had to do. It will come gradually, because there are too many who have been used to the ease for many years. If you have the opportunity to give and make give for the National Relief, it is a beautiful work that we Let's see.
and will never be able to alleviate all the misery.
Thank you for the information you give me about the work; what has become of the docks of Rio Santiago? Good for the maté leaves, because here they fly with a frightening speed.
We hope to receive letters from you again. Good news from Cherbourg's parents who know their grandson arrived, and from Khelstovsky's father and brother.
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