MAYER Emile – Mentor of General de Gaulle.

Emile MAYER (1851.1938)

Autographed postcard signed to Jean Auburtin.

A page in-12° on the back of a map representing the Hossegor Canal.

Cork oaks. August 5, 1938.

"Where shall I find you, my dear friend Jean, my warmest wishes? You should know no other holiday destination than Hossegor. But today you must consider tastes other than your own. Will you be permitted to come here, where we are to remain until the end of the month? Please convey my regards to the person with whom you are to be, and believe in my faithful devotion. E. Mayer."

Émile Mayer (1851-1938) was Charles de Gaulle's military mentor on the mechanization of modern armies, particularly on the leading role that aviation and armored vehicles should play.

In September 1938, De Gaulle asked him to proofread La France et son armée. Colonel Mayer died a few weeks later, on November 28, leaving his intellectual and military legacy in the hands of the General.

Jean Auburtin (1904-1981), a French politician, was a close friend of Charles de Gaulle from 1934 onwards. Before the war, he was an active propagandist for the ideas developed by Colonel de Gaulle in his book, " Towards a Professional Army." He became a member of de Gaulle's cabinet at the end of May 1940.