"August 25th 1944 : Paris liberated!" Topic

On that day, 80 years ago, les gars de Leclerc gloriously freed our capital. As a tribute, the Marche de la 2e DB *smile*

YouTube link

Felicitations! C'est la fete!

Leclerc has always struck me as one of the most interesting generals of WW2. I have a book, written in 1947 by several of those who participated in his campaigns (with a forward by Mme de Hauteclocke), that recounts all of his actions during the war from his original capture by the Germans in the 1940 campaign, his escape, his organizing efforts in Central Africa on behalf of De Gaulle, his campaign on the march to southern Tunisia, his battles there, etc. etc. etc all the way through to his battles across France and into Germany.

Adventures fit for an epic film!

Oddly, it also mentions in quite clear words the information provided by Ultra intercepts that helped guide some of his decisions. The only time I've seen any mention of Ultra in a post-war account, apparently published outside of the reach of the censors that sought to keep it all wrapped up in secrecy through the late 1990s.

-Mark
(aka: Mk 1)

That was a very interesting video, Foxbat! Thanks for sharing this on Paris Liberation Day.

Thank you Foxbat! The best performance of the March of the 2me DB I've ever heard.

One of my favorite History is Messy moments. One day the Paris Police are superficially at least assisting the German occupation. The next they are in revolt against it.

Thanks gentlemen.
Mark, a mention of Ultra in 1947 is very odd. Have you a title for the book you mentionned? That could be a very interesting question on a WW2 forum I'm subscribed too, a board full of specialists who could have an answer.
IMO, the liberation of Paris was one of these instances where everything fell into place flawlessly. Leclerc, worried by the fate of the insurrection, and conscious the truce concluded between the Reistance & Choltitz was fragile , sent a very small force under Captain Dronne (a mechanized infantry company, the famous « Nueve » enlisting Spanish Republicans and a 3 tanks section – Champaubert, Montmirail, Romilly – of the 501e RCC ) to make noise and show support. This force was guided by some resistants up to the Préfecture where the police had barricaded themselves. Meanwhile, using infiltration tactics, the remainder of the 2e DB rushed to Paris, overcoming all German defences encountered on their way. The plan was typical Leclerc, progressing on several axes, with the unforeseen delays however caused by enthusiast crowds on the way. Tou can see on the map how most german defences were bypassed, fighting happening mostly in the areas I circled red, toughest one at Croix de Berny where a German penal unit sold themselves dearly.

Choltitz could really do nothing : his forces were ill prepared to deal with an armoured division, and though there were some struggles in the capital, his HQ was quickly reached and his surrender happened.

Mark, a mention of Ultra in 1947 is very odd. Have you a title for the book you mentionned?

I am in the process of moving my household, so at this moment all my books are packed away in a shipping container. As in … it might take me a couple weeks to get you that answer, but I will come up with it eventually.

The plan was typical Leclerc, progressing on several axes…

I might also add that the plan was typical Leclerc, including a sufficient dose of bravado to turn a show-of-force effort that was an economy-of-force size, into a decisive result.

-Mark
(aka: Mk 1)

It is great to see this event remembered. It is incredible to think of the courage it took to fight on, in the Free French forces, from 1940 onwards. Most evacuated from Dunkirk went home, few followed de Gaulle from June 18th 1940.

2eme DB regarded the ex Vichy forces as turncoats. Even their own Naval Tank Destroyer units (RBFM) had to earn their respect. I cannot imagine how real Resistance fighters felt, in Paris, when everyone suddenly was FFI (not just the police who rounded up Jews) and proved braver at shaving women's heads than shooting at Germans

Great map and posts! Damn I missed this post on the 25 Aug!

Vive' Le France'

They are our oldest ally …

Was not Leclerc at Bir Hakim in NA, 1942 ?

No, that was the Foreign Legion etc. The forerunners of the 2eme DB were based in Tchad and launched raids up into the Sahara, maybe the best known was Koufra Oasis 1941. By early 1943 he had crossed the Sahara to Tripoli and they fought in Tunisia. Late that year they gained their Armoured Division status.

Leclerc was incredibly brave (as was any Frenchman who chose to follow the appeal of de Gaulle …..18th June …I nearly typed 1815…….1940). His story of escape from captivity, his work in creating a legendary force, so distinct from the North African ex Vichy French units, who liberated southern France in Dragoon and fought through the Italian mountains.

But he was a "Difficult" character and no liberal. His prewar membership of Action Francais, his conflicts with other French commanders, his execution of French SS captives without any trial (but sparing one who was the son of a friend). It was maybe fortunate that he never lived long enough to sully his reputation in French Indochina. But his men were devoted to him and became an elite unit, after a shaky start, which must count for a lot