LIBÉRATION. Autograph manuscript by Mlle Tombereau, Liberati - Lot 488

Lot n° 488
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LIBÉRATION. Autograph manuscript by Mlle Tombereau, Liberati - Lot 488
LIBÉRATION. Autograph manuscript by Mlle Tombereau, Liberation 1944; in-12 notebook (14.5 x 9.3 cm) with 122 pages (black cover repaired). An account by a resident of Lozère (Palaiseau) from June 6, 1944, to May 8, 1945. A fascinating daily journal, carefully written in blue ink, chronicling the liberation of Paris and then of France. It begins with the announcement of the Normandy landings, the Allied advance into the Paris suburbs, the German counterattacks, and then the joy and enthusiasm of the residents upon the arrival of the Americans and Leclerc, the cities decked out in flags, the FFI and the Resistance, the early days of the Free French government, the fighting in Paris, General de Gaulle’s arrival at Notre-Dame followed by the parade on the Champs-Élysées, then the Allies’ advance toward Germany with various battles, the news of Hitler’s death, and Germany’s surrender on May 8. Here are a few entries as examples. August 12. “The troops are advancing; they’ve been spotted in the area. Everyone is eagerly awaiting them. At the market, a vendor selling cockades and flags was literally ransacked. Everyone had bought their little tricolor bouquet. All night long, the Germans marched past, retreating toward Paris.” August 13: A plane reportedly crashed into the Gif power plant. August 17. “All night long, the Germans blew up fortifications and ammunition depots. At 10 p.m., six fires could be seen on the plain. The sky was red everywhere, especially toward Palaiseau, where explosions could be heard constantly. The power was cut off at 10 p.m.” August 22. “We can still hear the sound of gunfire, but it’s not as loud. At 9 p.m., the noise shifted toward Brétigny. At 11 p.m., on the hillside across from us, there was nonstop gunfire. Tonight, German cars drove down our boulevard; we were perched on a windowsill—they must have thought we weren’t waiting for them. The Allies are reportedly in Bonnel since the 18th. Some young people say they saw Americans in Marcoussy. When we got home around 10:30 p.m., the cannon fire began in the direction of Étampes. The sky is red.” August 23. “At midnight, we could hear cannon fire right across from the house. At 3:30 a.m., the battle could be heard in the direction of Corbeil. All night long the house shook; my head kept banging against the wall. We still know nothing; we’re waiting. […] This morning, word is spreading that American cars were spotted in Orsay. People are rushing there on bicycles, but it’s too late—they’ve already left. Around 6 p.m., word came that General Leclerc’s soldiers were still in Orsay; we didn’t hesitate—we headed there. […] Around 7 p.m., we saw the first tank manned by French soldiers. At last—after four years of waiting for them—they’re here […] A burst of machine-gun fire. Germans are entrenched on the ridge across from us, among the wheat stacks […] A motorcyclist arrives. “Paris has been liberated […] All night long, artillery fire in the direction of Saclay. The Germans are entrenched there; they had the men from Palaiseau dig trenches for them”… August 24. “The battle died down in the morning. […] We saw Leclerc’s Army, but mostly Africans. Every shade of black. They’re kind. […] The soldiers are offering cookies and candy to the children […] We find all these soldiers so friendly—it’s such a change from the others. […] The Resistance has emerged. They’ve taken control of the Château d’Orsay, which until recently was still occupied by the Germans. Men are walking by looking busy; they’re wearing the tricolor armbands of the F.F.I. (which French wit has already turned into “fifi”). […] A car drives off, taking a wounded German to the hospital. Another arrives filled with prisoners captured by the FFI. Other prisoners march by on foot, and the crowd jeers at them […] Everyone is decked out in the French colors—cockades, ribbons, bouquets of flowers, jewelry—all harmoniously arranged; and the windows are festooned. The gendarmes are scraping the road signs that had been tarred to confuse the enemy”… Etc. Enclosed is a notice regarding the awarding of medals addressed to Miss Tombereau, 71 Boulevard de Palaiseau (March 31, 1944); plus a postcard and a newspaper clipping.
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