216 - GUILLAUMET, Henri (1902–1940)

GUILLAUMET, Henri (1902–1940) Autograph letter, Buenos Aires, June 27, 1930, to Jean MERMOZ; 2 pages, in-4. An account of his accident and the incredible adventure that would give rise to the Guillaumet legend and Saint-Exupéry’s novel *Night Flight* He finally “made it back by a miracle, because, as you can imagine, I went through quite a lot. I was forced down into the snow clouds at Diamante Lagoon; since the pass was completely blocked, I was at 6,500 and found myself at 3,500. Since the lagoon is deeply encircled by mountains reaching 5,500, I was trapped like in a mousetrap. After circling until I was almost completely out of fuel, I chose a relatively flat spot and gently turned the plane around. I stayed there for two days, hidden under the canopy, waiting for the storm to end, which it did on Sunday morning. Father Deley didn’t take long to pass by, but as you know, it was like looking for a needle in a haystack (despite the flares I’d lit). Realizing this, I set off and made it to safety—in a sorry state, to be sure, but now you wouldn’t know it. I walked for four days and four nights without sleeping; I’d just doze off for a few minutes while sitting on my suitcase containing my provisions, having lost it in a fall 30 hours before I was picked up. I think I’ll be able to make the mail on the 7th of next month and head back out, taking your advice into account—though, you know, I have to laugh a little when you’re the one telling me to be careful!… “Do as I say, but don’t do as I do”—that’s more like what you should be telling me, isn’t it, old man? I was really sorry to hear about all the trouble you ran into when you tried to set out for the return trip to St. Louis; I now know you’ve found a beautiful stretch of water—I wish you better luck”… Source: - Jean Mermoz (1901–1936); - Gabrielle Gillet-Mermoz (1880–1955); - Then passed down through the family