And swelling mightily over the battered roofs of Ste. Mère rolled out the song of freedom that is the voice of France--the “Marseillaise.” Everyone sang and many wept. After that, the gathering broke up and lunch baskets were opened. Mme. Gagnon beckoned her enlarged family party together under the shade of a wide chestnut tree. Lunch was spread out. Between them, she and Mme. Lescot had brought food enough for all. Captain Dobie and André sat side by side. “You will return to visit us after the war?” André asked shyly. “I certainly will,” promised the captain. “I shall come back whenever I can. I won’t be comfortable unless I know what you’re up to.” André laughed. “And,” he said, “I shall go to America some day to see that you have got that leg mended.” “_Vive les Americains!_” shouted Raoul, who had mysteriously become one of the group. “_Vive la French!_” shouted Weller. La Fumée heard them, and put her muzzle down comfortably into the water pail. _About the Author_ Clayton Knight was born in Rochester, New York, and grew up just in time to become an airplane pilot with the famed Lafayette Escadrille in World War I. He also had a box seat for World War II in which he served in every important theater of war as an Associated Press special correspondent. His lifelong, active interest in aviation has earned him many honors and taken him to almost every corner of the earth, most recently on a round-the-world trip collecting material for an official history of the Military Air Transport Service. It has also provided him with fascinating material for a distinguished list of books and magazine stories that have made him well known both to young people and adults, not only as an author but an artist of uncommon distinction. _About the Historical Consultant_ Few experts are as well qualified as MAJOR GENERAL RALPH ROYCE to pass on the merits of a book about the Normandy invasion. As Deputy Commander of the Ninth Air Force, he was the senior air officer afloat during the invasion of France and served aboard the cruiser _Augusta_ with Admiral Kirk and General Bradley. He accompanied General Bradley to shore at Utah Beach and, in the days that followed, reconnoitered the surrounding country very thoroughly, visiting many of the towns mentioned in this book. In General Royce’s words, “Mr. Knight’s book brings back very vividly the life that we lived during those hectic and exciting days in June, 1944, and portrays extremely well the life of the countryside during those early hours of the invasion that led to the freeing of France from the yoke of the invader.” _WE WERE THERE BOOKS_ 1. WE WERE THERE ON THE OREGON TRAIL By WILLIAM O. STEELE Historical Consultant: PROFESSOR RAY W. IRWIN _Illustrated by_ JO POLSENO 2. WE WERE THERE AT THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG By ALIDA SIMS MALKUS Historical Consultant: EARL S. MIERS _Illustrated by_ LEONARD VOSBURGH 3. WE WERE THERE AT THE BOSTON TEA PARTY