Rue Alexandre Schimmel

“A street named after a hero,” I begin, pausing for effect as we stand before Rue Alexandre Schimmel in Le Plessis-Robinson. This seemingly ordinary street holds an extraordinary story, a testament to courage and resistance during one of history’s darkest hours. Rue Alexandre Schimmel isn’t just a name; it’s a tribute to Alexandre Nicolas Schimmel, a man who risked everything for his country. Born in Berg, Bas-Rhin, in 1899, Schimmel lived a seemingly ordinary life in Montrouge with his wife and two children. However, when the shadow of World War II fell upon France, Schimmel stepped into the light of resistance. From January 1943 to January 1944, he worked with the Jade-Amicol network, a vital cog in the fight against the Nazi occupation. He infiltrated a German firm tasked with constructing V1 launch ramps, gathering crucial intelligence from the heart of the enemy’s operations. This was incredibly dangerous work. One wrong move could expose him, jeopardizing his mission and his life. Tragically, his bravery was met with betrayal. One of his drivers denounced him, leading to his arrest on January 25, 1944, for espionage. Imprisoned in Arras and then Loos-Lez-Lille, Schimmel faced a mock trial by the “Guardian Angel of the V1s,” a chillingly ironic name for a tribunal that condemned him to death. On February 23, 1944, at Fort de Bondues, Alexandre Schimmel was executed. His sacrifice, however, was not in vain. Posthumously awarded the title “Mort pour la France” and the rank of sous-lieutenant, Schimmel’s legacy lives on, etched into the very fabric of this street. Rue Alexandre Schimmel stands as a quiet reminder of the courage of ordinary people who, in extraordinary times, rose to become heroes. As you walk this street, remember Alexandre Schimmel, the man who gave his life for freedom.