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69
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MERMOZ Jean
See original version (French)
69
-
MERMOZ Jean
See original version (French)
Estimate €800 - €1,000
Voluntary lot
Description
MERMOZ Jean
Los Angeles, Palmyre, 15 March [1922], to his ‘dear Mum’; 6 pages, in-8.
Account of an incident.
On their return from dropping a message over Homs, accompanied by his observer lieutenant, they were caught in bad weather. ‘We flew for four hours until we ran completely out of fuel, finally landing about 180 km from Palmyra in the countryside. We landed near two tribes, one friendly, the other hostile. The lieutenant set off on a camel to alert Palmyra and arrange for fuel to be sent to me. For four days I stayed to guard the aircraft with two Bedouins because the enemy tribe wanted to destroy the ‘tayera’ (the aeroplane). I slept under the wings in my fur-lined flight suit, living on couscous (it’s famous, you know), camel’s milk and figs. […] I was beginning to despair […] Finally, on the fifth day, my mechanic arrived with a guide, some camel riders and some petrol. With a full tank, we took off and I headed for Palmyra. Once I reached the mountains, from where I could just make out Palmyra, my engine started to lose power, overheat, and flames shot out, then it cut out. I was at 1,800 metres; I spotted a suitable spot, descended with the propeller locked in place; and finally touched down. Naturally, the breakdown was beyond repair. What’s more, it was impossible to repair the aeroplane, as we were deep in the mountains. I hadn’t drunk any water for three days and was feeling rather parched. I got my bearings and we began by leaving the now-useless taxi behind. Setting off with my mechanic at 3 o’clock in the afternoon, walking almost all night, finding our way as best we could, we arrived, utterly exhausted, the next day at 1 o’clock in Palmyre after a walk of about 60 km, 40 of which were through the mountains all night and 20 through the countryside. “As you can see, with a bit of determination, you can always manage”…
Source: - Jean Mermoz (1901–1936);
- Gabrielle Gillet-Mermoz (1880–1955);
- Then passed down through the family
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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