They called him a tough and enthusiastic officer. Not very intelligent but with good powers of observation. That was the assessment of Captain Paul Tessier. Here at Au capitaine Tessier et à la Résistance we stand where his story unfolded.
Au capitaine Tessier et à la Résistance isn’t just a name on a plaque. It’s a memorial to a man who served with the Special Operations Executive SOE during World War II. It commemorates his bravery and sacrifice. His story is one of courage resilience and ultimately tragedy.
Tessier a British national of French parentage volunteered for SOE. He knew the risks involved. He parachuted into France. His mission was to destroy a German factory. It was abandoned. He escaped via Spain.
His second mission in January 1944 was more perilous. He went to the San-Quentin area for sabotage. His fellow agents were captured. Tessier was captured three days later. All were tortured in San-Quentin before being moved to Paris.
Imprisoned at 4 Bis de Place Tessier was interrogated on Avenue Foch. Remarkably he escaped by scraping a hole through a wall. Despite being a known agent he chose to aid the Resistance. He risked his life for a cause far greater than his own safety. He sent vital messages to London. He warned them of his colleagues’ capture. His actions prevented the Germans from spreading misinformation.
On August 26 1944 while Paris celebrated its liberation Tessier was delivering weapons to Lagny. A German ambush ended his life. He was taking arms to the Resistance. He died bravely as he had lived.
Au capitaine Tessier et à la Résistance stands in quiet tribute to a man. A man who showed incredible courage. He risked everything. He embodies the spirit of the Resistance. His name is etched in history. He is honored here for his ultimate sacrifice. He will never be forgotten.