Sarkis Bedikian

Sarkis Bedikian was born in Zeitoun, Ottoman Empire, around 1908.[1][2] He settled in France after the Armenian genocide. Marseille was a preferred destination for Armenian refugees, who mostly arrived by sea from the Middle East.[3][4]

Sarkis settled in Traverse Chevalier[1] in the 10th arrondissement of Marseille.

During World War II, Bedikian joined the FTP-MOI and specifically served in the "Compagnie Marat",[1][5] a detachment of the FTP-MOI in Bouches-du-Rhône.[6] In this group, many Armenians found themselves, including others morts pour la France, such as Azad Niguerresian, Nechan Dermardirossian, Edmon Perian, Samoue Topalian, and Veravant Kechikian.[7]

As the Operation Dragoon, or the Allied invasion of Provence, began, the FTP-MOI in Bouches-du-Rhône rose up militarily to capture strongholds, create chaos in the defensive lines of Nazi Germany,[5] and facilitate the successful landing.[8] Sarkis Bedikian was among the uprising fighters. On August 21, 1944, Julia Pirotte photographed him alongside one of his Greek comrades, Vassilias Stamboulis.[5]

A few hours later, Sarkis Bedikian was killed in combat while launching an assault on the Prefecture of Bouches-du-Rhône.[5][7] Edmon Perian, Samoue Topalian, and Veravant Kechikian were also killed in Marseille during the Battle of Marseille.[7]

Bedikian was recognized as being a mort pour la France.[7][8][9] Additionally, his detachment was renamed "Detachment Sarkis" in his honor.[5][9]

He is one of the characters in the novel "Missak" by Didier Daeninckx about Missak Manouchian.[10]