Wartime Christmas

In the evening of December 24, I stayed to celebrate Christmas Eve in Herstroff in a camp that was set up for the occasion. The area has been evacuated, of course. We were transported in a truck and spent a nice evening because the officers and local volunteers were able to supply a celebration for us. All that was missing was “peace on earth.” Drinks, sweets, cigarettes and the rations of friends who couldn’t be there. Not bad for a wartime Christmas. And the future? Before we left Edling, we cleaned and straightened up the places we stayed. We maintained the “northerners’” reputation.

Tuesday, December 25. We left Edling in the evening and arrived at Téterchen in the morning on Wednesday the 26^th. The whole area had been evacuated. It was sad to see, and very cold, less than 15°. We had to stuff bags full of straw to keep our feet warm, on orders of the captain. “Let’s be like Puss-n-Boots,” he said. In a pinch, we could keep from freezing. It was less cold in shelters and the wine thawed out. With our balaclavas under our helmets we looked like medieval soldiers. Not too much to report. We are in “no man’s land.” Set up barbed wire. Fortify our shelter.

1939 Ends - 1940 Begins

Saturday, December 30, 1939

Left Téterchen in the morning and arrived at Tromborn in the afternoon. The village was empty. There was a feeling of deep sadness all around. The homes had been looted. Furniture broken, the walls filthy. Only pictures of saints and crucifixes had been spared. This disaster was the work of a group of crazies we call the “BAT D’AF” or “Happies”: “Bat d’Af” means African Battalion, where most of the men are former prisoners. The disastrous behavior of these vandals and the heavy snow made the place even sadder. We were in the frontlines and the sound of the cannons let us know we were in for it.

Tuesday, January 2, 1940. Left Tromborn in the morning and arrived in the evening at the forward posts around Bouzonville. We took up Post 213. We’ll get “battle pay” during our stay in the forward posts as soon as we leave for the front lines. I can’t remember how much, it’s been such a long time.

On Leave

Sunday, January 7, 1940

Left forward post 213 for Téterchen. Received first 10-day R&R leave. Left Boulay-Gare in the evening and arrived at the Lourches train station in the morning on January 8. Regulations required that I wear the cap, carry my bayonet and gas mask.

1) Had to get my leave papers stamped by the SNCF but like any good cheater I left the next day.

2) Same thing at the Denain police station. Two days’ extension. I’m not the only one who uses this method. It's contagious.

Our section’s lieutenant asked me to drop off a package at his parents’ house. I went to Vendignies-Hamage by bike, where I was welcomed warmly. Lieutenant Cauvez’s father was a big landowner and the mayor of Vendignies. According to a letter the lieutenant received since then, they were full of praise for me. He had me read the letter and, as the poet said, I was flattered to the bottom of my heart.

End of My Leave

Monday, January 22, 1940

It’s the end of my R&R leave. Returning to the army. I caught the 2 o’clock train at the Lourches station. There’s a whole convoy of men returning from leave on their way back to their units. The train was packed, so along with three buddies I decided to go to the “Reserved for Police” compartment. We were comfortable. Let’s be a little nervy and see what happens … No worries, it all worked out. We arrived at night on the 24^th at the Boulay station and reached the Boulay camp at 1 o’clock. We stayed there until the morning of February 6. Still some civilians.

Tuesday, February 6

Left the Boulay camp in the morning and arrived at Maizeroy the same day. Nothing to report.

Wednesday, February 7

Left Maizeroy and arrived in Chesny the same day. Nothing to report.

Thursday, February 8

Left Chesny in the morning and arrived at Joy aux Arches the same day. I visited the lady who was there on Saturday, December 9, 1939, when Dubrulle was wounded. We talked for a few minutes about this mysterious incident or accident or whatever it was. She owned the house.

Near Metz

Friday, February 9

Left Jouy aux Arches and arrived in Rezonville the same day. Nothing to report.

Sunday, February 11

Left Rezonville and arrived in Augny the same day. Pretty little town. A short but nice stay.

Monday, February 12

Left Augny and arrived in Avril the same day. Nothing to report.

Tuesday, February 13

Left Avril and arrived the same day in Boulange. We’ve been marching around Metz for the last 7 days. Boulange is a small town made up mostly of Polish and Italians. All the businesses are owned by Italians. We were welcomed by both communities. We are staying with townspeople but in separate rooms. There’s an iron mine and with permission of the managers we were able to use the showers to clean up at set times, with supervision of the managers and our officers. In all, a good welcome and nice stay.

Saturday March 9, 1940

Left Boulange and arrived on Sunday the 10^th at Haute-Yuts. No civilians.