Par
Sebastien Lucot
Published on
Jan 12, 2025 at 8:24 p.m.
A little weakened, but with a lively look, Paul Leterrier left La Bucaille, the retirement home where he resides today in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (Manche). Dressed in clothes reminding him of his military pastl’103 year old man was theguest of honor at the congratulatory letter and saber award ceremony of the Marine Rifle Company The Goffic of Cherbourgat the naval base this Saturday January 11, 2025.
“I don’t regret anything”
He is one of the handful of free and “proud to be” French people. Of those who refused the German invasion and the policies of Vichy. “I don’t regret anything,” he repeats, his hands trembling slightly and clinging to his wooden cane.
Born in Le Havre and from a family originally from Val de Saire, he is the last survivor of the Bir Hakeim marines. This place, a desert waterhole in the middle of Libya that became famous for its battle between May 27 and June 11, 1942, is a symbol of French resistance. A war action which allowed the British to retreat and triumph at El Alamein, preventing the Germans from reaching the Suez Canal.
A departure for the unoccupied zone at 17
A little over 82 years later, many of the marines yesterday – 177 in number in Cherbourg – came to greet him, not without a little hint of intimidation. “Hello Mr. Leterrier, it’s an honor. How are you ? » “Let's go”, cowardly, laconic, the former soldier wearing a hat gleaned in Halifax in Nova Scotia, just before being repatriated to France.
Recruited by the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique during the holidays, he returned two months after the start of the Second World War and wanted to enlist. At only 17 years old and his father disagreed, he left for the unoccupied zone a few months later.
Still hired by the shipping company, he embarked in Marseille and after a long journey, disembarked in Beirut. Despite the presence on board of German officers and Vichy sailors, he managed to desert and managed to reach the Free French marines.
“I am proud to have been on this side of Free France”
Normand, not having participated in the Landing did not mark him. “I am proud to have been on this side of Free France. We were very helpful. Subsequently, I worked for the Landing of Provence,” he expresses, while unbuttoning his jacket to hold, with his fingertips, his blue tie with red stripes, stamped with the Cross of Lorraine.
I care a lot about it. It shows the good that I have been able to do.
For these services rendered to his country, he obtained the distinction of Knight of the Legion of Honor only 40 years later, in 1983. “I was a simple quartermaster, they must have forgotten me,” he said. he jokes. He became an officer of the Legion of Honor in 2002, then commander in 2021.
“Time is long”
On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Landing, he spoke for a few minutes with the President of the Republic. A moment that he appreciated, noting the congratulations sent by Emmanuel Macron and his wife.
Until he was 90, Paul Leterrier knew how to maintain Olympic form. He was still able to perform several daily physical exercises. Then, in December 2023, his wife Marie-Anne, to whom he was married for 77 years, died on the night of the 24th to the 25th.
She was the sister of one of my best friends, a marine rifleman with whom I did the Libyan campaign.
And today, he only has one wish: “Time is long and frankly, I can't wait to see her again. »
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