Plaque commémorative Gabriel PICA Mémorial de guerre;plaque

Did Gabriel Pica ever imagine his name etched on a plaque, a silent testament to his bravery? Here at the Plaque commémorative Gabriel PICA, Memorial de guerre, his story unfolds. This plaque, a memorial to a war hero, stands as a stark reminder of the sacrifices made during World War II. Gabriel Pica, born in Nice in 1908, lived at 134-136 rue de France. He was a hairdresser by trade, a husband, and a father of two. But beneath the everyday routine, Pica harbored a burning passion for justice. He was a communist, deeply involved in the French Resistance. He even captured a powerful image of the Marri family, evicted from their farm in 1939, a photograph that became a symbol of the struggles of ordinary people. Pica’s involvement in the Resistance deepened. He became a key figure in the Francs-Tireurs et Partisans (FTP), operating in the Var, Savoie, and Haute-Savoie regions. His wife and sons joined his clandestine activities. His son, Paul, acted as a liaison, while his wife worked with women’s committees. The Plaque commémorative Gabriel PICA tells a story of dedication and sacrifice. After the arrest of fellow Resistance member François Reboa, Pica went underground, hiding in Fayence in the Var. He later joined the Maquis in the Maures mountains, eventually becoming the political leader of Camp Robert. In 1944, he was part of the FTP High Command in Haute-Savoie, using the alias Robert Cursel, with his wife as his liaison. Tragically, his courageous fight ended on June 5, 1944. Arrested by the Milice while on a mission in Savoie, he was executed in Châteauneuf on June 8th. Though recognized as “Mort pour la France”, his name wasn’t initially included on any war memorials. The Plaque commémorative Gabriel PICA rectifies this oversight. Posthumously awarded the Croix de Guerre, Legion of Honor, and Medal of the Resistance, Pica’s legacy lives on. His name is now inscribed on the war memorial in Châteauneuf and on the memorial to Resistance fighters in Nice. Here, at 134-136 rue de France, the Plaque commémorative Gabriel PICA ensures that his bravery will never be forgotten.