Could this peaceful street have been the scene of wartime bravery? Right here, before you, lies Rue du Lieutenant André Ohresser. This seemingly ordinary street in Champigny-sur-Marne holds a story of resistance, sacrifice, and the enduring bond between a father and son. The street is named after Lieutenant André Ohresser, a local shopkeeper and a member of the French Resistance during World War II. André, already a veteran of the earlier war, joined the “Libération Nord” resistance group. He even formed his own unit in Nogent-sur-Marne. In August 1944, during the heat of the Liberation of Paris, André and his group, which included his own son, Lucien, found themselves in a tense standoff with German soldiers right here on Rue du Lieutenant André Ohresser. In a desperate attempt to minimize casualties, André, who had Alsatian roots, approached the Germans with a white flag, hoping to negotiate their surrender. Tragically, his plea was met with violence, and he was killed by a grenade. André’s death deeply affected his son, Lucien. Driven by grief and fury, Lucien rejoined the fight with a vengeance, relentlessly pursuing the retreating German forces. He continued his service on the front lines even after the Liberation of Paris. Sadly, Lucien met a tragic end on May 7, 1945, just a day before the war ended, when he stepped on a mine near Trier, Germany. Today, Rue du Lieutenant André Ohresser stands as a testament to the courage and sacrifice of those who resisted oppression. This street is a reminder that even in the quiet corners of a city, history whispers its tales of bravery and loss.
Église Notre-Dame de l’Air
Beneath what appears to be a simple stone and wood structure lies a history interwoven with faith aviation and community.