Was Honoré d’Estienne d’Orves an ordinary man? No. Rue Honoré d’Estienne d’Orves commemorates a French naval officer. He was a hero of World War II. This street honors his courage and sacrifice.
Honoré d’Estienne d’Orves was born Henri Louis Honoré d’Estienne d’Orves. He was born in Verrières-le-Buisson. The year was 1901. He died at the age of 40. The place was the Mont-Valérien fortress in Suresnes.
D’Estienne d’Orves served in the French Navy. He rose to the rank of Capitaine de Corvette. Posthumously he was promoted to Capitaine de Frégate. He served from 1923 to 1941. He fought in World War II.
He became a hero of the Resistance. He was posthumously awarded the title of Compagnon de la Libération.
D’Estienne d’Orves organized a Free France intelligence network. It was named Nemrod. Jan Doornik and Maurice Barlier helped him.
D’Estienne d’Orves came from a distinguished family. His maternal family was the Vilmorin family. They were known in Verrières-le-Buisson. His paternal family was from Provence. They were royalist.
In 1910, he entered the Lycée Saint-Louis-de-Gonzague. Later, he joined Louis-le-Grand. He prepared for the École Polytechnique entrance exam. He entered in 1921.
During his time at Polytechnique, he courted Louise de Vilmorin.
In 1923, D’Estienne d’Orves joined the Marine Nationale. He became an officer. He participated in the campaign aboard the Jeanne d’Arc.
In 1929, he married Éliane de Lorgeril. She was a descendant of Louis de Lorgeril. They had five children.
In 1940, D’Estienne d’Orves sought to continue the fight. He tried to join General Legentilhomme. Legentilhomme commanded troops in French Somaliland.
When the colony rallied to Vichy, he decided to join England. He reached London in late September. He adopted the name “Chateauvieux.” He joined the Free French Naval Forces.
On December 21, 1940, he was sent on a mission to France. He sailed across the English Channel. He was accompanied by radiotelegraph operator Alfred Gaessler. They landed in Plogoff.
In Nantes, he organized the Nemrod intelligence network. He established the first radio link between occupied France and London. From January 6-8, he stayed in Paris.
D’Estienne d’Orves was arrested upon his return to Nantes. Alfred Gaessler betrayed him. Gaessler was a German counter-intelligence agent. He was arrested on January 22, 1941.
The German court martial sentenced D’Estienne d’Orves to death. Eight of his comrades were also condemned. They were transferred to Fresnes.
On August 29, 1941, D’Estienne d’Orves was executed. It happened at Mont-Valérien. Maurice Barlier and Jan Doornik were executed with him.
D’Estienne d’Orves left behind a journal. He expressed his Catholic faith and patriotism.
Today Rue Honoré d’Estienne d’Orves stands as a reminder. It reminds us of his sacrifice. It reminds us of his unwavering commitment to France.