Letter from Occupied France

My dear Irène, I am resolved to put all my strength at the service of my adopted country, since I cannot do anything for my unfortunate native country just now. The war continues with terrible intensity. Paris itself has been threatened, though the immediate danger has passed. I have developed mobile radiography units - 'petites Curies' as the soldiers call them - to bring X-ray capability directly to the field hospitals. These vehicles carry the equipment needed to radiograph wounded soldiers at the front, helping surgeons locate bullets and shrapnel. I have trained many young women to operate them. Yesterday, I drove one of the units myself to a hospital near the front lines. The roads were terrible, and the sound of artillery was constant, but we arrived safely. The gratitude of the medical staff and the soldiers was deeply moving. To know that our work saves lives and limbs makes all the difficulty worthwhile. You must continue your studies diligently. The world will need scientists after this terrible war ends. We must use our knowledge for the betterment of humanity. Your loving mother, Marie