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THE MOTORCYCLE RIDE TO CHAUNY
by Virgil R. Marco Sr., 366BS Tail Gunner, 305BG
A week later after picking up the British flyer, Ron Scott, the Resistance Agent named Bob Pique brought us tan trench coats and black berets for the trip which would take us to Paris. Ron Scott had informed us that the French escape network was moving downed allied airmen to Paris and then across the channel to England in PT boats.
Gene sat behind Bob and I sat behind Gene on the machine that was not made to  carry three people. I sat on the rear luggage rack, which was very uncomfortable, as there was no place for
my feet to rest except on the rear fender braces. If one of my feet ever slipped off the brace, it would hit the spokes of the rear wheel. After we left Bouconville, Bob increased the speed of the noisy motorcycle until
we were
traveling about 100 miles per hour where the road permitted, slowing down for curves and other road hazards. At one point we slowed down because of the bomb damage on and near the highway. As Bob maneuvered
around the bomb holes, he turned his head with a smile and said "American bumps". Every time the motorcycle turned sharply, I had the feeling the machine was slipping out from under me. This was my first
motorcycle ride and the last.
Our first stop was at Laon, the largest French City Gene and I had
seen so far. Our speed slowed drastically when we arrived at a bridge filled with a heavy traffic of bicycles and other vehicles. There were also many people walking, carrying baskets filled with
long loaves of bread and other items.
Apparently they had been shopping at the local market.
High on a hill I saw a large, ancient cathedral looking down on the city and the
surrounding countryside. We left the boulevard, taking a narrow road winding through a residential section that brought us to an apartment building scarred by bomb
damage to the roof. After walking up a flight of stairs we reached an upstairs apartment belonging to two friends of Bob's and the Resistance. We ate lunch. Then after a short rest, we sped away
again for our final destination, which we hoped, would be Paris. That afternoon we reached another city not near as large as Laon. The name of this town was Chauny and was some seventy miles
northeast of Paris. As soon as we arrived in the middle of town, we swerved sharply to the right into the driveway of a building that was an auto repair and gas station. The garage door was shut behind us
as we entered the building. The owner was the Head Resistance Leader of this region. After the war a monument was dedicated to him in Chauny. Inside a young lady was waiting for us. She was the
daughter of the Resistance Leader and also Bob's girl friend. Her name was Ginette. Ginette's best friend, Genevieve Tavernier, was waiting for us also. Arrangements had been made for Genevieve to
take Gene and me to her home. Thanks to brave Frenchmen like Bob many allied airmen were transported about France to various homes where they were safely hidden under the enemy's noses.
SURVIVORS OF THE CRASH-LANDING On May 8, Julian Mahoudeaux moved the four survivors of the crash-landing to Rocroi. Then they traveled to Revin, six miles
northwest of Rocroi where they spent five days with Rober Charton, Chief of the Resistance in that section. On May 16, they were sent to the hiding place of the Maquis of Revin. While in the secret hideout,
they learned that the Gestapo had blown up Rober Charton's home.  |
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