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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.
On August 25, 1944, after more than four years of Nazi occupation, Paris is liberated by the French 2nd Armored Division and the U.S. 4th Infantry Division.
Engaging in a protracted urban battle in Paris would risk destruction of the city’s key historical and cultural sites, slow down the advance toward Germany, and require significant resources to secure and sustain the civilian population.
American soldiers from the U.S. 4th Infantry Division in front of the Eiffel Tower, after French firefighters raised the tricolor during the liberation of Paris, 25 August 1944. On 25 August 1944, Paris was liberated after more than four years of Nazi occupation.
During World War II, the Liberation of Paris Saved the French Capital From Destruction. Adolf Hitler wanted Paris razed. Dwight D. Eisenhower wanted his troops to stay out of the city.
The liberation of France (French: libération de la France) in the Second World War was accomplished through diplomacy, politics and the combined military efforts of the Allied Powers, Free French forces in London and Africa, as well as the French Resistance. Nazi Germany invaded France in May 1940.
Paris was liberated at a cost of a thousand FFI casualties, 582 civilians killed and 2 000 wounded, and 156 soldiers of the 2nd DB killed and 225 wounded. The enemy sustained 3 200 dead, while 12 800 were taken prisoner.
From August 19 to General de Gaulle’s triumphal parade down the Champs-Élysées on August 26, 1944, Paris rose against the enemy. Barricades were quickly erected. Men, women and children formed human chains and passed along the paving stones that were used to make barriers.
After four years under Nazi rule, the liberation of Paris was successfully done by the French Resistance with support from the Allies. Just before the liberation, Hitler ordered his commander in Paris to burn the city, but he was too struck by the city's beauty and history so he refused to do it.
An uprising began on 19 August and young Frenchmen built barricades and shot at German soldiers. Raoul Nordling, the Swedish Consul General to Paris arranged a ceasefire and also persuaded...