124 - MERMOZ, Jean

MERMOZ, Jean Autograph letter signed “Mermoz,” Casablanca, June 17, 1927, to his Gillet grandparents; 2 pages in-4 and 2 pages in-8 in blue ink. An account of his expedition to recover the remains of his comrades massacred by the Moors. On Pentecost Monday, “I was able, with the authorization of the Spanish government—which had denied me permission numerous times over the past seven months—to land 140 km. from Juby, to the very spot where our comrades Gourp, Érable, and the mechanic Pintado were attacked. I intended to bring back their remains, as Érable’s mother had so often appealed to the Spanish government for her child without success. Unfortunately, nothing remained of the bodies except their imprints… Hyenas and jackals had devoured everything… I found only a lock of Érable’s hair where his head had been, a piece of his shirt, and one of his socks. I barely had time to take these mementos before the Moors arrived. I sent them to his mother along with a letter. At least she’ll have something of him. This matter was close to my heart; I had to do it. The house did not hold it against me, even though I had acted on my own initiative. I gave a few gifts to the brother of the Sultan of Mauritania, a very influential religious leader. Recently, he brought me a letter bearing his seal in which he calls me his friend, takes me under his protection, and threatens any Moor who attempts to harm me or treat me badly with reprisals and the curse of Allah. Most Moors cannot read, but the interpreter accompanying us can serve as an intermediary. In short, this is yet another significant guarantee of safety that I have secured. Unfortunately, he did not wish to extend the same to my comrades”… Correspondence, No. 117. Source: - Jean Mermoz (1901–1936); - Gabrielle Gillet-Mermoz (1880–1955); - Later passed down within the family