128 - MERMOZ, Jean

MERMOZ, Jean 2 letters “Mermoz” and “Jean,” Casablanca, July 12 and 27, 1927, to his grandparents, the GILLETs; 1½ pages and 2 pages in-4 format, written in blue ink. Legion of Honor; difficult return from Cap-Juby. July 12. “I am pleased to announce that I was appointed a Knight of the Legion of Honor two days ago. I was made a Knight of the Order of Wisham Alaouite, an order of the Sultan of Morocco, two days prior to that. Both were special promotions for two of my comrades and me. My nomination as an officer in the Order of Wisham will be announced shortly. Furthermore, I have been appointed acting airfield commander in Agadir—much to my dismay, as I thoroughly detest this sedentary position!! Fortunately, it’s a temporary replacement that will last only until the date of my leave. So many honors in such a short time!! I simply regret that some of my comrades weren’t appointed at the same time as me, even though they deserved it just as much!! July 27. He’s looking forward to going to hug them in a month. “It’s not that I need rest. I’m in good shape and don’t feel tired. But mentally, a little peace and quiet can only do me good. Getting away from the uncertainty of what tomorrow may bring for a month is a welcome respite. […] I’m a member of the International League of Aviators; it’s just that there are pilots in the ranks who’ve been flying longer than I have and need rest, whereas I can easily do without it, never feeling the slightest hint of weakness. I’m holding up just fine”… But the leave mustn’t go on too long: “By the end of my leave, I miss my work! The fever of the air takes hold of me again so quickly!”… It’s haymaking season, and his parents have to “work like two slaves […] On my last return from Juby, we had a devilish sirocco like I’d never seen before! The engine temperature stayed at 90° the entire trip. The outside temperature at 2,000 meters was 40°! I was forced to fly in just a shirt sleeve, wearing a helmet, for 5 hours and 30 minutes. The sand formed an opaque yellow haze up to 2,500 meters. In the two and a half years that the Dakar route has been in operation, we’ve never seen anything like it. Thankfully, it was just a one-time occurrence! Five pilots, future station chiefs, have left for America. Another departure will likely take place in November. I might be part of it, but I haven’t settled on a date yet. In any case, I don’t think I’ll be returning to Juby. I’ll have done my part there.” Correspondence, Nos. 120 and 122. Source: - Jean Mermoz (1901–1936); - Gabrielle Gillet-Mermoz (1880–1955); - Then passed down through the family