War letters from Maurice Rougier, 29 August to 14 September 1939
Extract from the letter of Maurice Rougier Tuesday (22 or rather 29 August) 1939, addressed from Dijon to Granie who is in the countryside with her daughters to Reulle 15 km southwest of Dijon
Tuesday,
My darling
My trip back was great. I arrived here at 8:5 in 1:10 'Cause I did it. (I guess he was on a bike). I changed and went to dinner at the Hat (Dijon restaurant near the Rougier's home)Then I called the EM to see if I had to go or if I could wait this morning. Milleman who was on duty, and Caubet who was there, said that there was nothing urgent. (Dampierre Case or Firefighter in Dijon) At 9am, we resumed yesterday measures of .....small ? reminder of the permissionaries and certain categories but less loudly and without displaying what makes the populations more calm. The situation is very tense: Hitler claims in all the shades he wants to end this affair
(he called for the return of Danzig and the corridor for access to the sea allocated to Poland in 1919) Italy is following by calling again many reservists, and is a capital which unfortunately can tilt the balance, the Soviets are coming or going to sign a pact of non-aggression with Germany, that is to say they are on the side of Germany. It is a stabbing in Poland's back and a new betrayal to us after the Anglo-French military missions have had to tell a lot about our state of preparation. It is to be feared that Hitler is now working hard: it is war or a new Munich.
I don't think I can come to you on Sunday, if it's going to last and if I'm still here, it'll be up to you to come and visit me alone or with the kids. Prepare to send my stuff back in the suitcase, I'm not in a hurry, but enjoy an opportunity, don't forget to put my forgotten cufflinks on your room fireplace. It's not bad, these 3 days have still well rested me. Kissing with the coconuts and tenderly to you, your Mauritius
EM phone number: 37 40 . We have just achieved a sensational success with ..?... by having a spy arrested in Algiers after which we had been for 6 months (he for whom H. had come to see me on a mysterious evening).
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Extract from the letter from Maurice Rougier of 30 August 1939, from Dijon to Granie to Reulle
"Wednesday 30
My darling
My night of duty without bringing serious news did not allow me to remosse much, only a little from 5am to 7am; I went home and slept until noon.
The conversations continue, today Hitler's new response will arrive to the English, he hesitates but we never know if it will suddenly trigger the operations.
The Rgt of young Hodot leaves tomorrow, I don't know if he's still there.
Still a lot of work, it's going pretty much. What... ... this morning!
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Extract from the letter from Maurice Rougier of 2 September 1939, from Dijon to Granie to Reulle
The mobilization plan seems to be underway, Cdr Rougier is assigned to Rennes, in a formation of the Corps of Army, he is replaced in Dijon.
"Dijon 2 seven
My darling
I was very happy to have your little word at the office this morning, and I was also pleased yesterday to see you and to say that you are not yet with me today, but it was better to go back to the children.
As you say, it is still a matter of providing something that will prevent the irreparable. It is true that at one point we are better aware of the calmness that we had in our household.
All those who stay here offer themselves to do you a favor if you need it.
Commander Belhomme who replaces me at the 2nd Bur is also a comrade of the ?.... Martin de Faucaudray (?) who is in control of the information and who offers us a refuge in the center if need be.
From today you can't leave the department without safe conduct, it's the second office that we grant them.
We're leaving tomorrow at 2:00 and sleeping in Orléans at night, we're going to Rennes on the 4th. I'm surprised to go there, and I hardly dare tell it, it looks like a desertion.
Thank you to Claude and Fanny for their letters, kiss them. I would like all three of you to have the chance to have them photographed and send me the picture.
your Mauritius
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Extract from the letter from Maurice Rougier of 3 September 1939, on paper at the head of the Hôtel du Chapeau Rouge, addressed from Dijon to Granie in Reulle
"Dijon 3 seven
My darling
I'm going in half an hour and want to say "bye" and to the kids.
I had dinner with Cdr. Belhomme, invited by him, and he has to write to you.
....?...to whom I said goodbye this morning still stays here and also makes himself available.
Caulet sends his wife to the Etang today, task of seeing them a little.
Big kisses with casseroles and tenderly with you.
Received a letter from Mother quite calm and ...?;..., in case of war they all go to Aunt Henriette.
your country
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Extract from the
letter from Maurice Rougier of 4 September 1939dated from Rennes, addressed to Granie
" Rennes 4 Sept. 6 p.m.
My darling
We just got here a few hours ago, the journey went well the roads were not too crowded.
(He was not alone, and in the car).
I'm glad to know you're in Reulle. (war is declared the day before) Because this is not the time to travel by rail (all the activists join their pre-determined mobilization assignments and refugees evacuate the eastern borders and major cities like Paris)We don't know when we're going or when we're coming and the sight of these poor refugees transported in cattle wagons and lying in straw is really not gay. Yesterday, on arriving in Orleans, there was a warning to the planes and it's probably better to avoid these gloomy sirens and sadnesss to the children and yourself.
I hope you're up there. (with the 2 girls, she's in Reulle, a village a little above Dijon) And most of all, you will not miss the supply. If we have to change, we'll see later.
I am, like ...?./.., astonished by this equipped westward (in Rennes!)
When it's a mess in the east, we won't be here too long. (he must now know that his destination is Lorraine, with the new 10th CA) The country here looks pretty quiet except the stir caused by all the reservists who apply and the convoys of horses requisitioned on the roads.
I'm at the hotel very well, I'm a poppie with the General, the Chief. (Major State)Other heads of offices
(1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, himself being head of the 2nd Bureau - Intelligence)We're starting tonight. Milleman is leaving us, he's posted to Marseilles.
We don't have more news than you, maybe less because you have the radio we don't have.
Come on, little darling, don't worry, it's obviously hard, but think it's no use.
I kiss you and the children tenderly"
your country
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Extract from the letter from Maurice Rougier of 7 September 1939dated from Rennes, addressed to Granie
Thursday, 7 September 39
My little wife, darling.
I am receiving your letter today. Don't let yourself go to the cockroach since it doesn't make any sense. I would have liked to see you in the morning before I left, but obviously you couldn't have done any useful race in Dijon on that day.
Stay calm for the moment in Reulle, it will always be time at the end of the month to make a decision about what you will do.
In any case, it will be necessary to settle in this situation and at this point consider a .... .... which will always cost less than a hotel pension.
Several solutions:
- Join your mother to live together in a quiet place where Claude and Fanny can continue their studies.
- Or, in this respect, I remind you of the offer of Lt. de F....? .... to whom you can call, or who you can see at the Dampierre Case. He offers you accommodation and food, paying your share of course, in a small town in Creuse where there is a religious pension that can bring the studies to the baccalaureate.
I assure you, I would prefer the first solution, of course if life was not possible in Dijon.
See if you can't make it with the Lenoirs. (Probably Reulle's pension) and if life would be possible in Reulle by doing all your cleaning and cooking with butagaz.
In any case, this is not an urgent matter, but if the war was to last as long as the last one, you still have to be organized so that you don't spend too much.
We're leaving by 16. A comrade has rented here for his family, but I think if it's far from the front, it's still a big city.
(large cities were considered targets of aerial bombardment, as for example Dijon was also a large military air base)
Goodbye, little man, I kiss you tenderly and the casseroles.
Your Mauritius
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Map of Maurice Rougier, Rennes, addressed to 10 September 1939 to Fanny and Claude Rougier in Reulle-Vergy_____________________________________________________
Extract from the letter from Maurice Rougier of 14 September 1939dated from Rennes, addressed to Granie
"Thursday, 14th
My darling
Today, received your letter from Saturday, do not bother. The situation is not such a bad one: Poles, like us in August 14, were forced to step back, but as we too will recover along the Vistula where they can hold the time necessary for our decisive intervention. In 15 days the boaches did not come out as he thought they would.
I wrote to Paris for my insurance and I'm going to get a plan soon. Basically 2 solutions: to pay immediately a rather strong premium, 6000 to 10000 or extend the insurance period without overpriming it from a few years (we will receive 100,000F at 65 or 67 years only. If I have to leave you widowed before, it's better to do the second solution, if not the first one, than do you think?
No news yet of mother and mom. So I'll probably send you the 6 photos you'll be sending later:
2 for you (1 without kepi, one with) destined later 1 to Fanny 1 to Claude
2 to Mom (1 without kepi, 1 with) later intended for Louise, 1 to Lucie
1 to Mother
1 to Fredy, what happened to him?
We have left to those who fought last time that we resume it after a long 21-year leave, but don't you dare me this time than in 14 years.
I kiss you little woman very tenderly, and Claude and Fanny.
Your Mauritius