Beneath our feet, Rue Jean Missout holds stories of heroism and remembrance. This street in Montmagny, France carries a heavy history. It is named after Jean Missout, a member of the French Resistance.
Jean Missout was born on February 1, 1923. His birthplace was Peyrat-le-Château. He was executed on June 2, 1944. This execution took place at Mont-Valérien in Suresnes.
Missout worked as a metal turner. He was a communist. He was also a resistant fighter within the FTPF. His parents were Léonard and Anna Missout. Léonard worked as a driver. Anna was a homemaker. The family lived at 224 rue d’Épinay in Montmagny.
Jean joined the Francs-Tireurs et Partisans. This group was known as FTP Alsace-Lorraine. It operated in the western region of Paris. Albert Thouvenin led the group. It included a dozen men and women. They participated in actions from October 1943.
The group needed funds. So they attacked the Montmagny post office. They also derailed a train in Saint-Ouen l’Aumône. They lacked weapons. They disarmed two policemen in Deuil-la-Barre. They also disarmed police in Bourg-la-Reine and Enghien-les-Bains. These officers belonged to the Groupes mobiles de réserve.
Several sabotage attempts failed. These targeted railways. They took place in Goussainville-Louvres, Franconville, and Brévannes. An attack on two gendarmes also failed. On January 10, 1944, several FTP members stole packages. This happened at the Argenteuil station. Gendarmes confronted them. A shootout occurred. Albert Thouvenin was fatally wounded. Three FTP members were arrested. Jean Missout’s friend, Solange Hochet, was also arrested.
French police arrested Jean Missout on January 14, 1944. During interrogation, he confessed. He admitted to being part of a group of francs-tireurs. He also admitted to participating in several attacks. He was imprisoned in Fresnes. Then he was handed over to Captain Mag. Mag was a section head in the German police. The SS interrogated the resistance fighters. This took place at their headquarters. The headquarters was located at 11 rue des Saussaies in Paris.
Jean appeared before the Gross Paris court on May 25, 1944. The court was located on rue Boissy-d’Anglas. He was sentenced to death. The charge was “franc-tireur activity.” He was shot by firing squad on June 2, 1944. The execution occurred at 3:12 PM at Mont-Valérien.
Jean Missout’s body was returned to his family. He was buried in the square. This was for bodies returned to families. The location was the Ivry-sur-Seine cemetery. His name is inscribed on the Montmagny war memorial.
Standing here on Rue Jean Missout, remember his courage. Remember his sacrifice for freedom. His story echoes through the streets.