Did you know that Avenue Antoine Cusino in Tremblay-en-France bears the name of a young hero? This avenue honors Antoine Cusino. He was a brave member of the French Resistance during World War II.
Antoine Cusino was born on August 1 1924. His birthplace was Fontaine in the Isère region. Antoine lived with his parents at 3 avenue d’Artois in Tremblay-les-Gonesse. The war found him in his youth.
As resistance groups formed he joined the Vert-Galant. This was a group of FTPF. FTPF means francs-tireurs-partisans. His unit was C.O – 117. He held the rank of corporal. His registration number was 311. The members prepared for an uprising. They longed for the Allied armies’ arrival.
On August 18 1944, the group planned a mission. Their goal was to get fuel. They targeted a tobacco shop on Route des Petits-Ponts in Villepinte. It was at the corner of the street leading to the town hall. A van was borrowed from a butcher. Corporal Antoine Cusino and six men went to the location. Cusino only had an old pistol.
Five members entered the café. Antoine Cusino stayed outside with Georges Jaegle. Suddenly, a German armored car appeared. It came from the Kommandantur. The Kommandantur was located at the Bataille castle. Georges Jaegle ran inside the café to warn others.
Antoine Cusino was caught off guard. He tried to hide his pistol in the van. Two soldiers took him away. They held him at bayonet point. He was taken behind the Bataille castle. There, he was executed without questioning.
After the killing, the Nazis threw his body in the town hall. His comrades retrieved his body. They took him to the Villepinte sanatorium first. Then, they brought him to his parents’ home. A guard of honor watched over him until his funeral. It was held on Tuesday, August 22, 1944.
Mr. Tetard offered to cover the funeral costs. He was the president of the special delegation. His offer was rejected. This was because of his collaborationist past. However, Commandant Gourget agreed to a free burial plot. He declared that French soil belongs to those who defend it. He said it was right for Antoine Cusino to have a piece of it for eternity.
The young martyr’s funeral was a large public event. Mr. Oddou joined the procession. He was the postal worker. He reported that the crowd stretched along the road. It formed a continuous line. The line went from Route des Petits-Ponts to Vieux-Pays. Commandant Gourget estimated 2000 people attended. Order was maintained by armed partisans. They concealed weapons. A vehicle with armed partisans accompanied the convoy. Fortunately, the German regiment was not there yet. The regiment would face the American 4th Infantry Division on the following Tuesday. The clash would occur between Tremblay and Villepinte.
At the cemetery, Fernand Dive paid tribute. He used his alias, Commandant Gourget. He spoke for the company “Commune de Paris”. Corporal Cusino belonged to this company. His service number was 311. He fell in the line of duty. The chairman of the liberation committee also spoke. The ceremony ended without any problems.
Avenue Antoine Cusino stands as a testament. It reminds us of a young man’s sacrifice. His bravery contributed to France’s liberation. As you walk this avenue, remember Antoine Cusino’s courage. Honor his memory.