Last Letters of The Manouchian Group February 21, 1944
Source: Pierre Ganier Raymond. L'Affiche Rouge, Editions Fayard. 1975;
Translated: for marxists.org by Mitch Abidor.
Roger Rouxel, a 19-year old Frenchmen, had shot down a German officer shortly before being captured. He wrote to his fiancèe.
Dear darling little Mathilde:
I'm writing you a first and last letter, which isn’t very gay. I'm telling you of my death sentence and execution for this afternoon at 3:00, along with several comrades.
I ask you to have much courage, I'm going to die thinking of you, up to the last second, as I always have... Choose a good, honest man who will make you happy.
Keep my memory as long as you wish, but I have to tell you one thing: no one lives with the dead. I had made beautiful projects for you and me, but fate has decided differently.
I swear to you that I never had a moment’s weakness. I die as a soldier of liberation and a French patriot.
If you'd like, you should ask of my dear parents, who I'm going to leave with great regret, a souvenir of me, which should never leave you.
I end in kissing you with all my heart, and your memory accompanies me to the end.
Your fiancé who leaves you forever.
Roger Rouxel