Letters Simone Cordelle Vierville-Mars 44

7301
Simone Cordelle, in Bayeux at Jean Cordelle in Paris, the^ir March 1944.

The Germans have ordered the requisition of the castle – they will install the Todt Organisation and its workers who will accelerate the construction of the blockhouse, order Rommel who has inspected the coast a few days before – they have left 3 days to move the furniture; Mom and the Chedal, notified by telegram, took the 1^ir train to Bayeux and see what can be done. Dad stays in Paris and looks for the possibility of sending a moving truck.
Mom just arrived at Bayeux station with the Chedal parents, wrote a first letter to Dad, who will arrive in Paris the next day:

Bayeux 1h1/2(1^ir March 1944

My Jean

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Simone, in Vierville, in Jean,Thursday, March 2, 1944, probably at lunchtime and before the departure of the mail which, curiously, came overnight at that time

Thursday, 2 March
My Jean,

I think you got my little word from Bayeux, finished in speed because the truck from the post took us to St. Lawrence. From there we finished the trip on foot, and we were at home at 4h1/2, to find a real anthill of movers, all those good people, not knowing if we would come, had started the job. (the mayor) gave us the presbytery, the guards Poivre (is it the house of the castle guards? was it the house of Than, owned by the Poivres, it was occupied entirely at that time by the Germans with the Kommandatur) We'll have two separate rooms and we'll have the rest. Martha will settle in and we'll arrange a double room so we can come. There's plenty of room and I think we'll get everything done. all. On this subject we wanted to go to the Captain (in Kommandantur) with Leterrier, but it was not his opinion that he had arranged only to let anyone know that he was being removed all the castle, asking for an increase of time. There was no reaction, so we continue, but the deadline for the castle is Friday night. (on the next 3 March)We'll be the guard. (guard house) We have great comfort in seeing everyone's complacency, the whole village is there, the Brunvilles, Guy de Loys, the Leterriers including Mrs., it's really touching.

I've received your dispatches a few days ago, my John, and your letter yesterday, I see that there is good hope for the truck, it would be perfect if it were to arrive tomorrow, today it would be too soon. It's expensive but we will try to save it for more than 30,000F! It's said that we have to put Todts at home, we expect thousands of them in the area for some monster work. For the unloading of the truck, we think that Mr. Hersent could rent us a place, as you said, it would be all We'd see later. George said you asked Dauchet, who is resourceful.Nany's apartment at 4^nd, next to the Chedals) We'll be housing the men. (Movers from Paris) at the presbytery, and they'll eat at Pignolet's. That's where we eat, and we sleep at Leterrier's. (the village house where her daughter lived, Ms. Jacquet until her death in 2002 or 3) because everything is in the air here – that's from the furnace! – The Hardelay (Michel) is there too, which disassembles the chandeliers and thousands things.
I'll write a little more about it tomorrow, Jean, starting tonight in my bed, we think maybe we'll leave on Monday, maybe the Chedals would stay a little longer to set up the rectory, and sort out a bit. (?? what car ? the truck ?) If you come as you said, Jean, we could go back together, I don't know what your intentions are.
I'm done fast because it's time for the mail, a thousand good kisses from your Sim.

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Simone, in Vierville, in Jean, Paris, on Thursday evening 2 / Friday 3 March 1944, the letter had to leave on 3 March to arrive on Saturday 4 March in Paris

Thursday evening 2 March
My Jean

It's 9am and I'm writing from my bed a little more quietly than this morning, where I was taken by the hour, the mail leaves at 2am instead of 2h1/2 as before, and I didn't want to miss it. I'll finish my letters tomorrow at noon after hearing from you.

We have worked well today, and I think we will have finished tomorrow in due time, thanks to the goodwill of all. We are really touched by the signs of active sympathy that we have from all sides, starting with the Leterriers and the Brunvilles. Mr de Brunville, himself works like a Negro, and also Guy de Loÿs who is going to do everything with valour. The brave people of the village put a blow, and Mr Leterriera said that nothing would remain in the house, nor in the communes. (3 or 4 tonnes, sometimes 1800 litres), The winery, not counting all that is in the house, is not what a house like this can contain! Laterrier claims that if we had made a sale there were for millions. If your truck happens, it will be perfect and we will send the most precious to Paris, I hope that everything else will hold in the presbytery, where we make wonders to put everything in. We even plan to send back what had been sent before our arrival at the Mons, and which was received rather bad thanks, to the great indignation of all, I will tell you this. (Michel Hardelay), very clever is a great help, he has moreover used this kind of move, and it makes a point of removing everything. He removed the fireplace from the dining room and part of the library, all that would be burned if we had Todt or soldiers, but if it wasn't their project? It's a bit piled or face, but all those who are here and are used to it, are categorical, Leterrier in mind, you must leave nothing. Fortunately there are barns and attices at the rectory, Martha can also carry his animals there. (she probably raised rabbits, chickens?)And it's interesting, not to mention that the bedroom and toilet that we are grinding will allow each family this summer to come and spend 1 month (if possible) by taking the two children, Brigitte and Yves, to whom we will put a bed in a corner. It is not to be disdained, so we must still feel happy in our misfortune to have this little corner, but that it is a pity, Jean, to see all these memories scattered that lose half their soul when leaving the old house!
We must not lose our courage, however, and Georges is taking care of this by going up with good wine at every meal! As much as we do! The brave Mother Pignolet is treating us well and we even had 2 meat dishes this morning. So, Jean, if we have fatigue, we get back to it. A good night waits now, I feel my eyes closing. I kiss you tomorrow.

3 March
Jean, I keep on writing my letter from Pignolet where we have just had a wonderful roast and p. de t. fries. We've all worked well again, and I think it'll be over tonight as required. Don't worry about me, Jean, I'm obviously tired in the evening, but I wake up quite well, and eat admirably. So everything is going well on this side. Fortunately we have a splendid time. Your telegram arrived just now only reassures us half on the truck, but we keep good hope. Until then, everything is simmering at the rectory that starts to burst. Everyone is so complacent that everything is done. We will remain for tomorrow what we want to evacuate from the commons, i.e. ladders, saddles, tools. The cider is transported, as well as part of the wood.

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