105 - MERMOZ, Jean

MERMOZ, Jean L.A.S. “Ton Jean,” Toulouse, Wednesday [August 1926], to his “Beloved Mom”; 2 pages, in-4 format, on letterhead from the Grands Cafés de Toulouse. Back in Toulouse (he had been hospitalized for acute sinusitis and an ear infection), he consulted a doctor who “found him in good condition: ears healed, no more discharge, and my sinus only slightly oozing.” He told me I was fit to make the trip from Toulouse to Casablanca, but that he advised me to have another puncture done in Casablanca, believing it would ensure a complete recovery—though not for another ten days or so. […] As for the Company, it was a major setback upon arrival. Imagine my surprise—I’d submitted an application to return to the Franco-Roumaine in Lille. I simply put it in the wrong envelope and sent it to Daurat himself! Can you believe the situation!!! The best part is that he knew I’d received offers from that company back in February! Apparently, he made quite a scene when he received my application, saying that things wouldn’t go down that way with the Franco, which wanted to take one of his best pilots away from him. Anyway, when I arrived, my friends—surprised to see me back—told me what had happened. Deep down, I was actually glad! The interview was more than cordial. I played dumb. […] He was so happy that I’d come back that he was extremely friendly, asking me where I wanted to go, what I’d like to do—in short… it taught him a lesson. I still laugh about it. […] In about an hour, I’m going to take a little trip… up there… to shake off the rust a bit… I need it. I’m heading back to Casa in two or three days. […] I went to Le Bourget. The director of Air-Union told me he would have been willing to hire me—and almost on my terms—but that I would have had to start the very day I was interviewed”… Source: - Jean Mermoz (1901–1936); - Gabrielle Gillet-Mermoz (1880–1955); - Then passed down through the family