Extract from the letter of the Abbot MILLOT

Sheet 015.2

THREE DAYS TO SAVE HONOUR

ASSOCIATION SAINT-MICHELLOISE DU SOUVENIR DE MAI 1940

Fighting on 16, 17 and 18 May 1940

FORGOTTEN FIGHTS

 A WAR BETWEEN EUROPEANS IS A CIVIL WAR. (Victor Hugo)

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Bernard DUDON was killed on 17 May 1940 in Saint-Michel, at the place called "Plaine Émelot."

He stopped with his chariot and said to the few inhabitants who had stayed in Saint-Michel, "There is nothing to do, I will not surrender."

When the Germans arrived on the morning of 17 May, he fought until his ammunition was exhausted. Surrounded by the Germans, he fell gloriously doing all his duty, simply, in good French. (9 a.m.)

You can tell her parents that they can be proud of their son.

No doubt he died; but since you are a truly Christian family, let me give you the best consolation that may be desired here below; the Soul of this valiant little soldier lives near God and will be for you a protector and an intercessor.

Killed on 17 May in combat, Bernard DUDON, was buried on 19 May by Mr Edmond LEMPEREUR in rue des Rochettes, near house n ° 8.

He remained in this temporary grave until June 19, 1941.

Very often, I passed in front of his grave and found it always flowered by neighbors, especially those who had known him before his death.

His body was placed in an oak coffin and brought with those of the other 20 soldiers killed during the battle, into the cloister of Saint-Michel.

The funeral was held on Sunday, June 22.

The solemn Mass was celebrated on Sunday in the Abbey Church of Saint Michael.

After the lifting of the body and the very moving transfer of the 21 coffins into the choir of the Church, the municipality and all the personalities of Saint-Michel were present and several thousand people wanted to pay a well deserved tribute to the defenders of their little homeland.

The coffins remained in the Church until the next day, the Kommandantur having ordered that the transhumation be made before eight o'clock, the procession of the coffins took place at SEPT o'clock in front of a crowd as large as the previous day. The Veterans of both wars carried the bodies of their comrades to their last home, a tricolour flag covering each coffin.

The Germans greeted on the passage of the procession.

At the cemetery, the President of Veterans Affairs made a very moving speech and addressed a touching memory to the families and offered young people the example of their comrades.

Today, Bernard DUDON rests in the cemetery of Saint-Michel.

A cross surmounts his grave which is always well flowered.

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- Note from the Saint-Michelloise Association of Remembrance May 1940:

Some time later Father Millot left Saint-Michel to become Dean of Hirson.

In 1944 he was arrested by the GESTAPO and deported to DACHAU

In this concentration camp he went to the aid of all his sick and ill-treated fellow prisoners.

He was a force of nature, but his devotion to DACHAU exhausted him and he returned very ill.