LIBERATION OF PARIS from Nazi Control, 75 Years Ago, August 25, 1944, Anniversary Today

[appalachiablue]

Last edited Sun Aug 25, 2019, 07:21 PM - Edit history (4)

(7 mins) Assoc. Press WWII era Film.
"Paris Celebrates 75th Anniversary Of Liberation From Nazis," DW/Deutsche Welle, Aug. 25, 2019. Exactly 75 years ago, French resistance fighters, US soldiers and others freed Paris from years of Nazi occupation. The City of Light is marking the event with a parade -- tracing the path tanks took when they arrived.

Paris is marking the 75th anniversary of its liberation from Nazi German occupation on Sunday with a parade and ceremonies across the city. French Resistance fighters, Allied troops, Spanish republican exiles and others are being honored for their part in freeing the city during World War II. A parade will retrace the path that French & American tanks took when they entered southern Paris on August 25, 1945. Later on Sunday, firefighters will raise a French flag on the Eiffel Tower, remembering the moment 75 yrs. ago..MORE, https://www.democraticunderground.com/10142359744



- Gen. De Gaulle & entourage walk the Champs Elysees to Notre Dame Cathedral for a ceremony following Paris' liberation on Aug. 25, 1944. More, The Liberation of Paris, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberation_of_Paris
------------
- "75 Years On, Paris Celebrates Its Liberation From Nazis, France24, 8/25/19. In August 1944 ordinary Parisians rose up, led by Resistance fighters supported by workers, women and even priests to throw off the Nazi yoke after four years.

Following six days of street clashes, random attacks and armed barricades, they were joined by French and US soldiers and victory was confirmed. "Paris outraged! Paris broken! Paris martyred!" General Charles de Gaulle declared outside the city hall on August 25. "But Paris liberated! Liberated by itself. Liberated by its people." Almost bypassed? The landing of tens of thousands of American, British and Canadian troops on the beaches of Normandy on June 6 launched the final pushback against Adolf Hitler's forces.

After being bogged down in Normandy for weeks, the Allies were finally able to advance eastwards, taking Orleans and Chartres, south of Paris, on August 17. They planned to head straight for the German border without a detour to the capital where there was a risk of difficult and damaging urban warfare. American General Omar Bradley wrote in his memoirs that Paris was "nothing more than an ink spot on our maps to be bypassed as we headed toward the Rhine."

Call to action: But Parisians were impatient. Defying calls from the French government-in-exile headed by de Gaulle for them to hold on a bit longer, the Resistance sprang into action. On August 18, French Forces of the Interior (FFI) communist chief Henri Rol-Tanguy gave the order for a general uprising..Fighting there over the following days claimed the lives of nearly 170 policemen. Men in small groups attacked German soldiers and vehicles...https://www.france24.com/en/20190825-75-anniversary-paris-france-liberation-nazis-de-gaulle

TODAY Paris: WWII Veterans in their 90s remember, original WWII tanks, jeeps and locals in period attire.

[captain queeg]

1. ? I think the French army led the way into Paris

Eisenhower knew how to play politics and let the French lead the way. That’s downplayed, at least in the write up.

[appalachiablue]

4. That sounds right, what a liberation

[cilla4progress]

2. "Liberated by its own people..."

Such courage. Mon dieu!

[Thekaspervote]

3. True patriots.. this should have some lessons for us as we face the end of the traitorous "reign"

Of The dotard. NOT advocating violence, but peaceful protest and an a massive turn out at the ballot box

[BigmanPigman]

5. That made me get teary.

Wow, kudos for their patriotism and courage! Can you imagine if Paris was actually burned as Hitler had wanted? Vive la resistance!

[Javaman]

6. I had and Uncle and a cousin there. :) nt