JL’NE 1944 by JULIETTE LLCAMBAYE BRAIJLT -

Sainte Mere Eglise,
France
Maybe you are going to find it strange that after 34 years, I have decided to speak
about my wedding day, which was to be. celebrated on the 6th of June, 1944. Since a long
time, I have wanted to do it, but I always put it off. However, this year f1978J I met
an American couple who were invited at my brother’s home, M. Michel Lecambaye, for the
D—Day commemoration. One day, I stopped at my brother’s home to say hello, there was
the American couple, Mr. and Mrs. Beavers, and also Mae. Simone Renaud, who was nice
enough to act as an interpreter between me and the Americans.
We told them that my wedding should have taken place on the 6th of June 1944, and
because of the great events that took place on that day, postponed till the 22nd of June
for the civil wedding and the 23rd for the church ceremony. This American found the ex-
act place where he landed, but he is still looking for the. first Frenchman who sheltered
him. I hope, the next time he comes back to Normandy, he will find him.
Whet is the most surprising is that three American soldiers were present at my mar-
riage .eremony: Captain Laviette, two Lieutenants—Lt. Donovan and Lt. Foque, and a
Canaaian ~uidier, P-vt. Fontaine. They were invited for our wedding meal. They had givez
me a pair of s~ for the ceremony. I am really very pleased to relate those unusual
faces, an~ my husband and I will never forget the wonderful honeymoon trip we had along
the shore near Ste. Marie du Mont, and our visit on board a boat. For us it is unfor-
gettable.
5th~of June The final wedding preparations are almost done; my mother tells me:
“Juliette, you ought to go to the wash house and launder the few pieces of clothes.”
The washhouse was named “te Canardier”. I hurried and took the wheelbarrow, the 1a~eel—
ing box filled with straw to help feel more secure in bending over the water, and to
prevent getting vet. I crossed the National Highway N—13, Paris—Cherbourg, and I notice.
seven or eight German trucks lined up along the washhouse. I wondered, how will I be
able to go on? I took a few steps. One of the Germans signaled me to go back. I got m~
wheelbarrow our of the way. I could hear the engines whirring, and the German shouts
at ~e, “Week, week!” I ask “Warum?” (it means Why? in German). Well, the soldiers do
:iot overwork themselves, they were washing their trucks with the water of our washhouse,
and they pumped it dry! I went back home not pleased at all, and I was obliged to rinse
the linen under a hand pump.
Later on, I was happy to visit my dressmaker, to try on my wedding dress for the
last tIme before the wedding. Mile. Alice Gachet was my dressmaker. She tells me, “To—
morr..... you have to come here, I am the one who will dress you up. You’ll see, you “ill
be beautiful.” I still can see myself, my white dress was made in embroidered tulle
over satin. I ..~s delig~ed. Yes, I was happy.
A strong ~.ind P ~ing ~- the Channel. The sea must be rough. I look at the
sky, it is clouding ~ bp - can see, betv€~en the clouds, a little bit of blue
I see everyL. .:~ t~r~~h ~ ~ glasses. My only thought is, “Tomorrow I will be
?~e. Brault. A tune is haunting me: when we really love each other, life seems pret-
tier, all the worries go away with a tender loving kiss.”
I am sixteen and one—half years old, a little girl. 1 live with my parents; they
are hairdressers-in Ste. Mere—Eglise. I wonder what is going on, we are all nervous and
anxious. As usual, we are going to bed early, ‘~ut we don’t know what a dreadful night
is ahead of us, and what we are going to live through. All at once it starts. We hurry
and take shelter under the backstairs which takes us to the ~ kitchen downstairs.
We have no light. We can hear perfectly well the machine—guns, firing without any stop.
We don’t know where it comes from, but it sounds as if they were in the shop. Nov and
then we stop breathing, then we can hear voices. Our parents whisper “Don’t make any
noise!” It must be the Germans above us and firing. The sky is streaked with airplanes
We are all scared to death. We don’t speak—we just pray.
After a while, it is getting light. My parents and my brothers and I decide to go
upstairs for just a few moments, to see what is happening. Looking out of the window,
N. Legoupillot, who is the butcher at that time, motions us to look outside. We open
the vindc’w. just for a few minutes, and what do we see? The sky is lit up with the
search lights of the planes! It is paratroopers coming down from the sky. A glance in
the street and we can see soldiers, guns in hand ready to shoot, and hugging the wall.
My God! They are the American paratroopers, our liberators, blackened faces and camou-
flaged. Later on, we learn that the shooting of machine—guns was coming from some Ger-
man soldiers, hidden in the back corner of the shop and from there they were firing on
the paratroopers through the front door. It was awful to look at.
I perfectly remember the morning of the 6th of June. Around 7 o’clock, we open
the shop and one American soldier asks to be shaved. Be gives us chocolate. I remember
it plainly. But, suddenly, I think about my fiance. What has happened to him? I am
terribly an,.ious. Our heads are full with the noise of planes, cannons, machine-guns,
and bombs. What is going to become of us? A little later I decide to go outside and
give a glance on the road to see what is going on. flut American soldiers tell us to
stay inside, so much the worse! We don’t listen to them! But, what a sight greets
our eyes! At that time, surrounding the Public Square, there are tall trees, and in
one of those trees is hanging a paratrooper——dead. And this other paratrooper hanging
for hours at the belltover of the church; he made believe he was dead, but what a mar-
tyrdom those hours were for him! It was di~eadful. Coming back in a hurry to the shop
I can see German soldiers, 8 or 10, and American soldiers aiming at them. I look stra-
ight at these Germans and they are looking at me; no doubt, I know them! Guess who they
were? Those who were emptying our washhouse, and I am sure they also recognize me, and
this is why I want to relate that event. I tell myself, “W.ll, boys, you don’t bluster
today. You don’t tell me ‘Weck, weck!”’ It is var.
7th of June We open the door. The ground is disputed inch by inch, the battle
is to the finish, and what do we see in the street——dust, dust all over, We just heard
a terrible uproar, and I hear screaming, it’s a friend of mine, Germaine Lemenicier——
“Help! Help! My father is dead!” Then, we must leave at once; ye start running, calling
for our neighbours, the butcher. Some people faint, a bomb just exploded on the hair-
dresser shop and it is damaged. People are screaming, and vs learn there are many dead
civilians. U. are sure it’s going to be our turn, so we decide to leave the town as
quickly as po~~tble and run towards the fields. We do not even take time for food or
clotbea—v-e are just too scared. Sometime later, ye are about 20 people in the middle
of the fields——2g people I think is more exact, and with us a lady expecting her baby
any time.
10th of June We stayed three days in the fields, and we slept in the ditch. But
again we must go on, the Germans are too near—there is firing all around us—on one
side we have the Germans firing and in front of us are the American soldiers and the
planes are skiing the ground; we all think one is going to crash on our heads. It
seems we are surrotmded—ve don’t know where to go anymore—it is absolutely awful.
But, in my head always a thought ‘~Jhere is my fiance? What has happened to him?” So,
we leave again, starving. V. take shelter in a farmhouse about one mile from Ste. Mere—
Eglise. The farmers are very nice people. The village is called Vaulavill., the house
owners are M. and Mine. Fortier. We are, now, about 35 people, all of us very anxious
and scared. For food we have milk, eggs and chicken——that cheers us up. Four of the
men, y father, my brother, If. Legoup±llot and If. Lefranc, decide to go back to Ste.
Mere and see what is happening and also to search for more food—bread, flour, and so
on. After a very short time, they are back and they tell us about the town, hardly
recognizable, all the shops destroyed, fragments of all kinds lay scattered about the
street. You have to be very carefu1~ and watch where you walk.
On the following day, I decide to go with a girlfriend, Mile. Legoupillot then, now
line. Pentecote, and see for ourselves what is going on in the town. But we have been
3cared to death, and what £ sight!! horrible!! In one of the streets is a cart, used
:o transport t~e cattle. Well, in this cart are about 30 German soldiers, dead, piled
p one above the other; it was atrocious to look at. In the back of the cart are two
ivil±ans, H. Paris and H. Crestey. They wear long gloves, and I think those two men
re willing to pick up the dead bodies! After having seen those atrocities, we rim back
ouards our shelter, out in the country. But, on our way, once more, we are scared to
death. Two German planes, hedge—hopping, fly over us; I am quite sure the pilots have
seen us, twice they fire on us. The first time, we flatten ourselves against the wall
of the girl’s school; the second time, we take the plunge and hide in the ditch. At
our farm, all the people are anxious for ua, they have heard the firing and were afraid,
thinking of us out in the open air. We continue to hear roarings of Cannons, guns of
all kinds, bombs, shells and so on. Meanwhile, we are informed of the several attacks
and counter—attacks against the little village of Montebourg. They were fighting hand
to hand——it was absolutely terrific. And most of the people of Fresville—lt is the
place where my fiance is living——are under the second bridge lying over the quarry. I
am restored to hope, but not for a long time. Bad news——It is rumoured that the bridges
blew up and that everyone underneath was dead. I try to know what has happened. I
burst into tears, but nothing new, I catmot stand it any longer; no one is able to com-
fort me. Someone is missed by me, and there is no end to the days, and the nights are
terrifying.
In our farm, we are all lying on the floor, with hay for mattresses. No one is
able to sleep, but we do not forget to pray. In the daytime we go around the farm; in
the back, there are big tents for the American soldiers, the closest one is the field
hospital. There, soldiers and civilians are taken care of. Farther away is the soup
kitchen, it smells good. In spite of all, we are all safe and sound, but in my head
always the thought “Am I going to see Georges again?” I still remember perfectly that
minute; I am in the farm yard when someone, a young man, Pierre Rodarie, screamed at
‘I
me—— Juliette, Juliette, here is Georges! I swear, here is Georges, here he comes. Be
is riding, I just saw him.” I say, ‘1Please don’t lie to me!” “I swear it to you, it
is true!” I nm and look about for him. Georges had been looking for me everywhere.
It was H. Marcel Marie, who remained alone in Ste. Mere, who told him where we were. I
weep for joy, I have a lump In my throat—I am not able to speak. “No, Georges, no, here
you are?! — I beg you, I implore you, we must never part again; I am too unhappy without
you. We are living terrible days, I think about you all the time. I beg you, Georges,
we must get married; we must do it anyhow, anywhere, anytime. I don ‘t.even want to leave
you out of my sight”
I regain my self control. But, if you could have seen him, not shaved — he says
to me, “I have also been at death’s door, you know. Would you believe that on the 6th,
I had American soldiers in the barn, with hay over them, and just a few seconds later
about two hundred Germans went by, searching like mad for American soldiers. They asked
me if I have seen some. Of course I said ‘Mo!’, and I was only hoping those Americans
were not going to show themselves, or they vould be killed. I thought a lot about them.
Some of the Germans took a big can of milk, forced me to warm up the milk for them.
Then, to go fast, I made the fire really go. They also mad. me taste the milk. They
must have been scared poison was in the milk. I never saw the American soldiers again.
I don’t know what became of them. I certainly would be happy to see them again, if they
are still alive.
“After that, I went to look for the family. They were under the bridge and all
were safe. I came back to the village and volunteered to help pick up the wounded and
transport them to the field hospital. Some were enduring terrible pain and we had to
go as quickly as possible. So, from the farm, where was an aid station, they were
transferred to the field hospital, about half a mile away through the fields, in open air.
“We really were scared; the Germans were still firing everywhere, bullets were rico-
:heting around us, cutting the branches and the grass—so, we were taking one step f or—
,ard, then one step, down, then again forward; it was endless, but nothing could have
ever stopped us. We had to go on, and save these man’s lives. A little later, I came
ack to look far you, but again, difficulties in front of me. I was riding on my bike,
ut the roads were overcrowded with military convoys of trucks and jeeps, col~s of
einforcements, and so on. And in the air, German planes were peppering, dropping bombs,
ki~ing the ground, three times I had to jump down in the ditch. But now I am happy——
am near you.”
It was certainly not the time to think about the wedding; so, I have great diffi—
~lties with my parents. Finally, I persuaded them to have the wedding celebration in
spite of the circwnstances. They did not want to hear about that wedding; we can very
well understand their point of view. We are just asking to get married in front of the
~tayor, who was then H. Alexandre Renaud, and in church., a very modest benediction, just
with our two witnesses. Alas, enormous difficulties turn up for us. Inside the church
are the old people and the patients from the hospital of Plcauville.
The date is postponed. Instead of the 6th of June it will be on the 22nd P.M. at
the Maine and on the 23rd A.M. for the mass. Once our parents are decided we go back,
my fiance and I, to Ste. Mere—Eglise, to talk to M. Renaud, and we are lucky enough to
find him innnediately, he is in his pharmacy shop. I still can see him, as always, he
has his hat on. We explain our case, that we absolutely want to get married, at all
costs. He understands us very well, cheers us up, and tells us, “Children, don’t worry.
I am going to do what has to be dome, and first, I will go and see your parents.”
The wedding maSS will take place at Gambosville, at H. and )tne. Auvray’s. They
lend to us their garage and it will be used for a chapel. !‘be. Auvray has just given
birth to a baby boy, Michel—Yves. My fiance is going back to Fre4llle to see his family
and let them know about the wedding taking place on the 22nd and 23rd.
22nd of June The most important day of my life is getting closer and closer.
I am beside myself with .loy. In spite of my happiness, I think about all those soldiers
who gave their lives, and about all those civilians, and our friends, killed. For wit-
nesses, we have: N. Auguste Lehodey and his fiancee, Mile. Jeanne Mouchel for Georges;
and for me, Mine Leiniere, who is a grocer, and Mile. Raymonde Jeanne. I can still remem-
ber with great pleasure and great joy that there were three American officers who at-
tended our marriage ceremony, a Captain and two Lieutenants, and also a Canadian soldier.
I must say the little chapel is decorated with taste. Sheets are hanging to hide the
walls; there are flowers and branches, I think, all is made to try and give a little bit
of joy and happiness, to make us forget the dark days we are living through; it is com-
forting.
Of course I cannot think of wearing my wedding dress. I do not have it. It stayed
at my dressmaker’s place, riddled with bullets; it was hanging near the window. So, I
wear the dress I was to wear on the following day of my wedding. It is a little blue
dress, with fringes and short sleeves. I am very sad not to be able to wear my pretty
long white dregs!! It is so!! Neither have I any shoes. So, an American soldier offers
me a pair, and I have worn them a long, long time. My only regret is, I don’t have those
shoes anymore. They were low cut tan shoes. I have a picture in which I am wearing
those tan shoes.
The reception is held at the farm. H. and ?~e. Fortier do not know what to do to
make us happy on this wonderful day. We are all pleased to have with us those three
American officers and the Canadian. They bring large quantities of food, big cans of
cakes and pineapples to give us. Not very long ago I met again H. and ~be Fortier.
They told me that MmeJ~’O~tziilot cooked for us on that special day. The Americans gave
also cans of meat, bea’i’is, and so on——everything was so delicious. We never have eaten
food so delicious as those canned foods. Also, to set the table, the soldiers brought
everything, and also to make several tables.
The Americans make us sing, in order to forget the war. So, I can very well remem-
ber, for the meal, we are at least 30, we sing; and one of the Americans asks for “Alou—
ette”. so, we sing “Alouette”, and my brother Maurice plays an accord±an. We need to
forget the war.
Every year. we celebrate our wedding anniversary then, those moments cannot be
forgotten, and we live again those hours, graven in our memory just as if it happened
yesterday. However, it’s now 34 years old, and we are going to celebrate the 35th an-
nIversary, with our unforgettable memories. 1 have forgotten to say, my father—in—law
and my sister—in—isv were late for the mass. They could not ride their bikes, they had
to walk all the way because of the troops and trucks. They were pleased with the meal,
and sorry for the mass; but it is, in spite of all, a good souvenir for them both.
On the 29th, P.M., we leave the farm, my husband and I, and ride on our bikes, to
go and visit my new family at Freville. They are back in their borne, the fighting is
nov away, but the greatest care must be taken. 15 day. are gone by, and vu decide to
go and see how the b2aches are. t must be something curious to look at. The roads
are unfit to ride on, even to walk on is difficult because many trucks, jeeps, and
heavy military equipment went on then. Troops are passing us by, we wave to them hap-
pi.ly. it takes us a long time to reach the beach. At last we made it to St. Martin de
Varreville, but what do we see! What do we see!! It is inconceivable, a city of boats
for miles and miles, they are so close at hand, they seem to be adjoining. Is it pos-
sible to see such a thing? We leave our bikes on the embankment, and we take a long
walk on the sand. From time to time, we run, we sing, we are forgetting the dark days
and the sad events we lived through, we also kiss each other . . . so it is . . . We
reach the beach of Ste. Marie du Mont, we try to get as near as possible to one of the
boats. it i~’ low tide. Soldiers up on the deck invite us to come aboard; we take a
pause, and we decide to go up. We climb a rope ladder, and here we are on the deck.
What a warm welcome is given to us! In spite of all, I think about my family——no one
knows where we are. We all sit at a table. On the wall in front of me, I notice the
Queen of England’s photo. We try to talk, but it is quite difficult to understand each
other. We eat and drink, everyone is so nice, we are delighted. We go and visit the
boat. After sone tin~... we are asked if we are going to England or back to shore; that
is to say, ~e leave ~Jth the soldiers, or we have to leave the boat. Well, we cannot
even <-k of stnying aboard, ~ have to go back home. But, really, I wonder why we
feel so at ease here. hut ~‘.~‘thing unforgettable is going to happen. If the soldiers
-e asking us to leave, to uisembark, it is because they were waiting for high—water,
dnd x~w, they are going to put off to sea, so we can not stay any longer.
But for me, it is out of the question to take the rope ladder——just looking at the
water way down below, I fe ~izzy. So, guess what they did?! They call for an amphib-
ious car, I see it coming w~.. ..hree soldiers aboard. They install an enormous can with
rope around and on each side; if you want it’s just as a swing, my seat is on the top.
I have to sit on it, and just slide down. Sincerely, I cannot say; I am at ease. Geor-
ges takes the rope ladder down! Once in the amphibious car, we wave goodbye to all those
nice soldiers, and we make away towards the shore, it is done rapidly. We make believe
we are fishing’, we are leering the police control. Then we take our bikes back and of f
we go. We are nverj ~ed and we will never forget this little trip, it is not a dream,
it is finer since we really made it. It is, for us, our ~wnderful honeymoon trip——I in-
sist wonderful. Thank you to all those soldiers. Vive our liberatorsi

Georges and Juliette

1978



Last week, with sone of my friends, I went back to see the place where we took
shelter and where my wedding took place, at the big fain of M. and ~e. Fortier. I was
very surprised to find all the farm bui2dings intact, nothing has been changed or re-
stored. It is exactly as it was 34 years ego. Today we are on the 24th of October 1978.
So, if, to my great joy, 1 could meet again with those three American officers and the
Canadian who spent the day with us, and who gave us so much comfort and cheerfulness
during the marriage, meal, it wou’ - thrilling and marvelous.

Juliette Brault


Translated, revised, and typed, 1983
by Jul ~ette Brault, />“

Philippe Jutras,
and eharles H. Young 4. ~

~1Y: 29 Sept. 1983

C-