Paris Liberation

The words

1. Choltitz

   Dietrich von Choltitz commanded the German forces in Paris. Captured on August 25, he signed the surrender in the presence of Resistance leader Rol-Tanguy.

   Final paragraphs, capture and capitulation · French defense ministry: Paris liberated (opens a new tab)

2. De Gaulle

   After joining Leclerc at Montparnasse station, de Gaulle went to the Hôtel de Ville. There he met Resistance leaders and delivered his celebrated liberation speech.

   Historical account, arrival and Hôtel de Ville · De Gaulle Foundation: August 25–26 (opens a new tab)

3. Free French

   The Free French movement grew around de Gaulle in London after his June 1940 appeal. It gained British recognition and support from overseas territories.

   Historical entry, appeal and political organization · National Assembly: Free French origins (opens a new tab)

4. French Forces

   French and Spanish soldiers of La Nueve reached Paris on August 24. Leclerc’s division and other Allied troops entered the next morning.

   The August 24 column and August 25 entry · French defense ministry: Paris liberated (opens a new tab)

5. Insurrection

   An armed uprising against established authority.

   Calls for insurrection appeared on August 19. Residents built barricades across the city before the arrival of Leclerc’s division and other Allied troops.

   The uprising and barricades, August 19–25 · French defense ministry: Paris liberated (opens a new tab)

6. Leclerc

   Leclerc commanded the 2nd Armoured Division sent toward Paris. He entered the capital on August 25 and received the German commander’s surrender.

   Historical account, Leclerc and the 2nd Armoured Division · De Gaulle Foundation: August 25–26 (opens a new tab)

7. Liberation

   The uprising was followed by Allied troops entering Paris. German strongpoints still had to be overcome before the garrison’s surrender on August 25.

   Final fighting and capitulation · French defense ministry: Paris liberated (opens a new tab)

8. Maquis

   French Resistance groups based in remote areas.

   Many young men avoiding compulsory labor in Germany hid in rural camps. Some of these refuges developed into armed resistance groups beyond the cities.

   Des camps refuges aux maquis combattants · French defense ministry: maquis origins (opens a new tab)

9. Parade

   On August 26, de Gaulle rekindled the Unknown Soldier’s flame beneath the Arc de Triomphe. He then walked down the Champs-Élysées before cheering crowds.

   Historical account, the August 26 procession · De Gaulle Foundation: August 25–26 (opens a new tab)

10. Paris

    The capital’s liberation carried political importance as well as military value. Occupation had brought repression and deportation, continuing into the summer of 1944.

    Opening account, political stakes and repression · French defense ministry: Paris liberated (opens a new tab)

11. Pursuit

    Beyond the Seine, Allied commanders hoped to reach the Rhine before German forces could organize the West Wall. The advance became a race against regrouping defenders.

    Ch. XXXII, pp. 675–676, the Rhine objective · Army history: pursuit beyond the Seine (opens a new tab)

12. Rapid Advance

    At the end of August, American infantry used improvised truck transport to keep moving. Destroyed bridges and dwindling gasoline complicated the rapid progress into early September.

    Ch. XXXII, pp. 680–681, motorized infantry and fuel · Army history: pursuit beyond the Seine (opens a new tab)

13. Spearhead

    The force leading an advance.

    The 3rd Armored Division led VII Corps toward Mons in early September. Its forward columns pressed ahead while infantry divisions moved up on the flanks.

    Ch. XXXII, pp. 681–682, the drive to Mons · Army history: pursuit beyond the Seine (opens a new tab)

14. Supply Chain

    Liberating Paris also meant feeding a city cut off from much of its normal supply. Allied planners weighed civilian relief against the needs of advancing troops.

    Ch. XXIX, pp. 589–590, relief and military transport · Army history: Paris and its supply needs (opens a new tab)

15. Supply Crisis

    By early September, some American formations ran out of gasoline during the pursuit. Capturing ground rapidly did not ensure that enough fuel reached the leading units.

    Ch. XXXII, pp. 680–682, pursuit halted by fuel shortage · Army history: pursuit beyond the Seine (opens a new tab)