Maurice Gurfinkiel Plaque

Their sacrifice echoes through the years. We stand before the Maurice Gurfinkiel Plaque. It’s a testament to a young life. A life cut tragically short. Maurice Gurfinkiel, a Polish Jew, found himself seeking refuge in the heart of Paris. He learned the tailoring trade. But the shadow of World War II loomed large. The Gurfinkiel family scattered. Maurice found his way to Aix-en-Provence. Tragedy struck when his parents were arrested in 1942. His mother, Ryfka, became a victim of the Holocaust. Driven by a thirst for justice, Maurice joined the French Resistance. He became part of the FTP-MOI Carmagnole battalion. He participated in numerous acts of defiance against the Nazi regime. Then came that fateful day: October 12, 1943. Maurice took part in a daring grenade attack on a German tramway. His bravery, however, came at a price. He was arrested by the Gestapo and subjected to brutal torture. Yet, fate intervened. During a prisoner transfer, a Resistance group ambushed the convoy. Maurice seized the opportunity and escaped. However, his freedom was short-lived. He was recaptured and separated from his comrade, Joseph Halaunbrenner, who was later killed by the Nazis. Maurice was sent to Grenoble to join the “Liberté” detachment. He rose through the ranks. He became a detachment leader, continuing the fight for liberation. Sadly, on August 22, 1944, the day Grenoble was liberated, Maurice was tragically killed. It’s believed he was mistaken for a militiaman. He was only 22 years old. The Maurice Gurfinkiel Plaque stands as a reminder of his courage. It reminds us of the sacrifices made in the fight for freedom. His story, like many others, is a poignant reminder of the human cost of war. Let us remember and honor his bravery. Let us never forget the sacrifices made. Let us strive for a world where such tragedies never happen again.