Imagine those final moments. It is August 15 1944. The Plaque commémorative Jean-Baptiste Malausséna marks a tragic moment. It remembers a man who defied oppression.
This plaque honors Jean-Baptiste Malausséna. He was a Nice native. Malausséna stood for justice during dark times. Let’s delve into his story.
Jean-Baptiste Malausséna was born on May 16 1899. He was a tram worker. Later, he became a municipal employee. He worked in the city’s cleaning service. Malausséna was also a CGT union activist. He was a communist. He became known for defending Italian colleagues. He lost his tram job in 1930 because of this.
During World War II, Malausséna joined the French Resistance. He distributed tracts for the Front National. Under the alias “Pétou,” he served as a sergeant. He fought within the FTPF. The Francs-Tireurs et Partisans were a communist resistance group.
In 1940, authorities administratively interned Malausséna. He was first sent to Saint-Maximin camp. Later, he was transferred to Chibron. In 1941, they moved him to Saint-Sulpice-la-Pointe.
The Gestapo captured Jean-Baptiste Malausséna. He was imprisoned at the Hôtel l’Hermitage. This place was their headquarters. He endured torture for eleven days. They then imprisoned him at the Nouvelles Prisons in Nice.
On August 15 1944, the Gestapo selected 23 hostages. Malausséna was among them. This was in response to the Allied landings in Provence. The Nazis transported them to a wasteland in l’Ariane. There, they were executed. Malausséna died singing “La Marseillaise”.
Jean-Baptiste Malausséna married Madeleine Baptistine Augier in 1919. They had three children together. The French government declared him “Mort pour la France.” He rests in the family vault at Caucade cemetery.
Today, Nice remembers Malausséna. A city square bears his name. His name is on war memorials throughout Nice. Also, a plaque stands in the city’s cleaning department. It is at 85 route de Turin. Every August 15, the CGT union honors Malausséna. The ceremony includes authorities and a municipal fanfare. It takes place at the fusillés’ square in l’Ariane.
The Plaque commémorative Jean-Baptiste Malausséna is more than metal. It symbolizes courage. It embodies resistance against tyranny. It reminds us of the high price of freedom.