battle
Liberation of Paris
Free French forces of General Leclerc's 2nd Armored Division entered Paris, followed by General de Gaulle who marched down the Champs-Élysées amidst massive celebrations. German commander General von Choltitz had defied Hitler's order to destroy Paris. De Gaulle declared the liberation a great French achievement, downplaying the vital American role.
Sources
- T1 French National Archives – Provisional Government records Official
- T2 Collins, L. & Lapierre, D., 'Is Paris Burning?' Major