The audio probably won't make sense until you wach the video: https://youtu.be/bWsgzqsXaa4
This letter is addressed to His Reverence, the parish priest of Contrexéville (Vosges).
Contrexéville, December 23, 1917, auxiliary hospital no 9, bed no 69.
Considering I have had faith in the Servant of God Thérèse of the Child Jesus since March, 1916, I want to relate the following fact, begging you to kindly forward it to the Carmelite monastery of Lisieux.
On October 3, 1917, my regiment, the 2nd March Regiment of the Tlemcen Fusiliers (Algeria), was appointed to take possession of the sector of the woods of Caurières and Bezonvaux in Eastern France.
On October 4, my group arrived in the valley, and I was appointed by my officer to defend the front of the communication trench which led to our lines and was situated 60 meters ahead toward the enemy lines, in case of an attack.
From that date to October 13, 1917, we were exposed on a daily basis to heavy bombardments and gas emissions, from which I was always spared.
There were frequent attacks from the enemy in the other groups of my regiment.
Seeing how things were going, I told my lieutenant: "I expect us in all probability to be attacked this way before we are relieved.”
And here’s what happened:
On October 14, at about half past three in the morning, I was standing in my usual place, when I was suddenly dazzled by a great silver brightness, and much to my astonishment, before my eyes, I saw Sister Thérèse like an angel. She was walking left and right, holding in her hand a very short saber. I was compelled to follow her, and I found myself in front of a swamp that made a natural defense and was located behind our lines. I rubbed my eyes, pinched myself and said to myself: "You are not asleep, though. What does that all mean?" In brief, I went back to my previous place, and saw once more with surprise this vision moving about in like manner.
I then understood it was a warning from Heaven. I didn't lose a single minute; I quickly inspected my post and had the pins pulled out of my grenades, in case of an unforeseen attack.
When it was all over, I picked up my watch, which said that it was four o'clock, and I thought: it's just the time when the Boches usually launch an attack.
I said nothing to my men, except that they had to watch well and be careful. I had been surveilling the side of the swamp for no more than two minutes when I saw a crawling shadow sneak away, then two, then three, in single file. I first believed the relief patrol was arriving and immediately challenged them in Arabic with the word Chkoune, which means: "Who goes there?" But the sole response I received was to hear a grenade burst, which, fortunately enough, landed beyond the small parapet of the communication trench.
"Here are the Boches,'' I exclaimed. "Grenadiers, bombard!"'
I immediately threw three grenades; I then saw a German advancing toward me. No hesitation. I killed him right away with a shot of my automatic Pistol, and he fell down at my feet.
From that moment on, it turned into a huge exchange of grenades and almost hand-to-hand fighting. I didn't lose my courage, I stirred up my men, and, soon wounded myself, I only commanded the louder: "Bombard!" But there was no more reaction from the enemy. Down to my last ounce of strength, I sat on the parapet. Everything was quiet again; I was relieved by my section officer arriving with reinforcements, and then evacuated to the dressing post with all my men, including four wounded.
I didn't forget to immediately thank my Protector, who has always preserved me since December 1916, and whose celestial warning was our safety.
This declaration is certified by the author himself, whose signature below can be published; he recommends to all his comrades the utmost confidence in the Servant of God, Thérèse of the Child Jesus.
A. DIEZ
Sergeant, 2nd Fusilier March Regiment
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