Liberation of Paris - 1944

On August the 25th, 1944, after four years of grim occupation, the French tricolour was hoisted once again over the streets of Paris. The first of the allied forces into the city was the French second armoured division, led by General Jacques Leclerc. The British and American forces had advanced quickly after their break-out from the Normandy beaches. The German garrison in the city was surrounded, and as General de Gaulle led an impromptu victory march through the capital, the German commander signed the surrender document, defying Hitler's orders to defend the city to the last man, or destroy it totally. The liberation of Paris was very much a symbolic gesture, rather than an important military achievement. As the Germans fell back across the Seine, General Montgomery in the north, and General Patten further south were pressing on with their advance to the German frontier. There was little time for them to stop off and celebrate. The day didn't pass off quite as joyously as the Parisians had hoped. German snipers holed up in buildings bear the city centre kept up a relentless challenge by firing on the crowds, as they celebrated. The French Resistance fought back. But for thousands of grateful Parisians, left very much to themselves to pick up the pieces, by rounding up collaborators, and installing local government, this was THEIR day, and they made the most of it. The following day, General de Gaulle proclaimed the Fourth Republic, and France was on the road to peace once more.