Liberation of Paris

About

The Liberation of Paris (French: Libération de Paris) was a battle that took place during World War II from 19 August 1944 until the German garrison surrendered the French capital on 25 August 1944. Paris had been occupied by Nazi Germany since the signing of the Armistice of 22 June 1940, after which the Wehrmacht occupied northern and western France.

Given Paris's role as capital, military expediency was weighed against symbolic and political objectives at both the planning and operational levels. SHAEF sought to bypass the city to conserve resources and hasten a strategic thrust toward the Rhine. General Charles de Gaulle argued that French sovereignty should be restored quickly to avoid the kind of occupation government imposed on Allied-occupied Italy. British and American commanders stipulated that any French division leading the advance consist of white personnel; the Allies selected General Philippe Leclerc's 2nd Armoured Division as the only formation that could be reorganised to meet the condition. Delayed by combat and poor roads, Leclerc ultimately disobeyed his orders and rushed a vanguard ahead to secure the capital after the Resistance revolted against the occupation.