Source: National Archives & Historic Records of France
Military • Historical Archive • 🇫🇷 France • 1 views

Honoré d'Estienne d'Orves 🇫🇷

Henri Louis Honoré d'Estienne d'Orves (Known as "First Martyr of Free French Navy")
Naval Officer, Resistance Martyr, Founder of the Nemrod Network, Executed at Mont-Valérien
Born Jun 05, 1901 🇫🇷 Verrières-le-Buisson (Essonne), France
Passed Away Aug 29, 1941 Suresnes (Fort du Mont-Valérien), France
Lifespan 40 years old
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Notice / Correction
"I die for France, for my faith, and without hatred in my heart for those who carry out the order."

Archival Overview

Noble French naval officer and devout Christian hero who joined General de Gaulle in London in 1940, set up the 'Nemrod' intelligence network in occupied Brittany, and was executed by firing squad at Mont-Valérien.

Biographical Record

A graduate of the École Polytechnique and brilliant naval lieutenant on the cruiser Duquesne, d'Estienne d'Orves refused the Vichy armistice, traveling from Alexandria to London to enlist in the Free French Naval Forces (FNFL).

In December 1940, he crossed the English Channel to establish the 'Nemrod' coastal intelligence network, transmitting German naval movements and submarine installations. Betrayed by his radio operator, he was court-martialed by the Germans. Refusing to plead for mercy, he pardoned his executioners and sang the Marseillaise before the firing squad.

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Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial
Verrières-le-Buisson Communal Cemetery (Family Vault)
Verrières-le-Buisson (Essonne), France
GPS: 48.7500, 2.2667
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