At first glance, Guillaume Egarius is a little embarrassed to receive people at his home while he is dressed in his pajamas. But once its Legion of Honor and his other medals hanging from his chest, the blue-eyed centenarian immediately feels more dressed. At 102, this fighter of the Second World War no longer has the strength to move. So, for this May 8, 2022, a tribute ceremony with flag bearers and veterans will be held under his window in Bordeaux.
“War is ugly, it’s disgusting”
Born August 3, 1920, Guillaume Egarius was 19 years old in 1939. When France declared war on Germany, the young man was one of the volunteers. “We thought we’d be in Berlin in a few weeks, we thought we were strong, but we got bored.”
“A bayonet in a Nazi”
After the defeat of 40, the soldier joined the Maghreb where he participated with the Allies in the campaign of Tunisia before engaging on August 15, 1945 in the Landing in Provence.
“That’s when I stabbed a Nazi in the stomach with a bayonet. They didn’t realize they had lost. I had my gun with the bayonet. Ah yes, I lost it. planted, and then fine!”
“We saw things we shouldn’t have seen”
When he still had the strength to go and testify in the colleges of the Gironde, Guillaume Egarius constantly recalled the importance of “don’t forget those who fell. Thanks to them, we are here.”
Russians in Ukraine? “Matadors”
“What a waste, what bullshit the war”said the veteran. “I hope there won’t be any more. Although right now they are fighting in Ukraine.”
“We are in a modern world, and then we fight, we can’t discuss? We can’t talk? It’s stupid! The Russians think they’re a little too much for Matadors in my opinion”.
This Sunday, a ceremony of remembrance will therefore be held under the window of Guillaume Egarius. A commemoration “home” made possible, once again, by the mobilization of the president of the Union of combatants Michel Grand. Even before hearing the Marseillaise and the Chant des Partisans, the centenarian knows that he “I’m not going to cry.. but almost.”
“It’s something that hugs me a lot, it makes me feel good and at the same time it hurts me.”
– Jules Brelaz