Moïse Bebel

Born in 1898 in Trois-Rivières, Guadeloupe, Bebel aspired to be a soldier from a young age.[2] He graduated from the Saint-Maxient non-commissioned officer school and quickly rose through the ranks, from second lieutenant to captain.[2] By the time of the Second World War, Bebel was an acting commandant in the 24th regiment of Senegalese skirmishers.[2] He fought in the Battle of France and was taken prisoner on 9 June 1940 while fighting near Erquinvillers.[2] The following day, Bebel was executed by German soldiers along with fifty of his men, becoming one of the 150 tirailleurs massacred in Erquinvillers and its surrounding villages between 9 and 10 June.[2][3] The murder of Bebel and his men has been compared to the death of fellow tirailleur Charles N'Tchoréré.[4]

Bebel's remains, as well as those of several other Guadeloupean soldiers, were repatriated to Guadeloupe in 1950, with large numbers of people arriving to honor them.[2][4] In 2016, on the 76th anniversary of his death, Bebel was honored in a ceremony.[5] The main square of Trois-Rivières is named after him.[5]