Rue du Commandant Ignace Mantei

Ignace Mantei (1921-1965) was a French officer specializing in shock actions. He was born on November 13, 1921 in Rabat but raised in Corsica. He was leader of the 1st Théophile Corte of the Scouts de France. After a spell in the army, he was put on armistice leave, but joined the Corsican Resistance. After passing through the Cherchell school, he was appointed midshipman. Parachuted into Italy, he took command of the anti-Mussolini carabinieri.

Specializing in the "Action" department of the military SDECE, he took part in the North Vietnam commandos in Indochina, then in Algeria. In May 1958, he commanded the 1st Shock Parachute Battalion in Calvi. On September 30, 1958, he was appointed commander of the Alpine Chasseurs. Captain Mantei is best known for his part in Operation Resurrection. On the morning of May 24, 1958, Mantei welcomed delegates from Algiers to Calvi, occupied Ajaccio airport and the prefecture, and placed the prefect under house arrest. With his battalion, he intimidated the CRS sent by Paris, sending them to guard remote, non-political hot spots. He then recognized and installed Colonel Jean-Robert Thomazo as governor of Corsica with civil and military powers.

On August 24, 1965, Ignace Mantei set out to climb Paglia Orba, one of Corsica's most challenging peaks. Caught in a thunderstorm and unable to find shelter, he froze to death. His body was found on the summit of Paglia Orba. Emotions ran high in Corsica and in the army. A plaque was laid in their memory.