Marceau Lantenois, Soldier, First Regiment of Engineers, 43rd Battalion, 2nd Company ©
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Read this introduction to Marceau Lantenois' story, then listen to him describe his experiences, using the links at the foot of this page.

Marceau Lantenois enlisted in the French Army in the city of Épinal in 1939, leaving behind him his wife and three-week-old son. In 1940 he was sent to Belgium, but soon afterwards his battalion was forced to pull back to Dunkirk.

His unit was engaged in special operations, in particular in 'blowing up bridges', as he says, and therefore he didn't fight directly against the Germans. Nevertheless, Lantenois was able to see the desperate plight of people on the road to Dunkirk, and during the evacuation to England.

He recounts how he and his comrades were among the last to be evacuated. In addition to the fighting, he remembers an extra personal difficulty - the fact that, having never set foot on a ship in his life, he was afraid of the sea.

Once across the Channel, however, Lantenois remembers the warm welcome the French soldiers received when they landed on English soil.

The interview with Marceau Lantenois was recorded in his native French. The transcription is in English.

	The hell of Dunkirk Play audio Read transcript

	A warm welcome Play audio Read transcript

	Afraid of the sea Play audio Read transcript
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