Jean-Ernest Tucoo-Chala

“Verdun? Well that suits me. After all I’ve heard about how awful it is, I’ll be glad to see it.” This wasn’t a phrase you’d imagine hearing at the end of May 1916. And yet it was the reaction of a 23 year old from Béarn, Jean-Ernest Tucoo-Chala, a master gun-layer in the 14th Artillery Regiment who didn’t seem to be scared of anything, not even the hell of Verdun. But the young man’s bravery was to be severely tested, especially given that his battery was trained on Fort Douaumont.

On 28 May 1916, the infernal orchestra struck up. To the sound of “Fire, fire!”, Tucoo-Chala’s battery swung into action with a frantic song. It went so fast that the guns started to glow red and burn his hands. Suddenly, one of them exploded! Good God! That was a near miss. “FIRE! FIRE!” the battery commander shouted.

Now the German orchestra was providing the response to the French call. Shells fell all around Tucoo-Chala, tearing off limbs, killing comrades and exploding munitions depots. Then gas was added to the tumult, limiting his visibility and forcing him to fight for breath. “FIRE! FIRE!” How, for God’s sake? At the centre of the hellish scene, a lieutenant walked around “as if he was strolling down the Champs-Elysées”. It was a surreal sight, but the officer’s composure kept Tucoo-Chala’s morale up. Although he was exhausted and covered in mud, he redoubled his efforts, now alone at his post. He fired like mad, so fast that he exploded more guns, even though they were brand new.

On 8 June, it was time for him to be relieved. Despite his testing week, Tucoo-Chala did not want to leave. He wanted to keep fighting and help his fellow soldiers who remained in the lines. But reason won him over, and he headed off duty to Verdun town. Tucoo-Chala’s bravery was recognised by his superiors and he was cited for his courage.