The Liberation of Paris: 75th Anniversary

In order to write my recent Wartime Bridesseries, I’ve been doing a lot of research about the home front in countries other than the U.S. The information I’ve unearthed is fascinating. In many ways, life in the other Allied as well as the Axis nations was much like here – men called to arms, and women, children, and the elderly doing their part to work, volunteer, and support the war effort financially and through the collection of various types of scrap. 

However, the vast difference between these countries and the U.S. is that the conflict came to their front doors. America suffered very little war on our home soil. Yes, we were attacked at Pearl Harbor, and the territory of Alaska saw combat, but citizens on the “mainland” were isolated from belligerents marching through our cities and town. Countries occupied by Germany, Japan, and Russia suffered more than anyone. Heavy-handed mandates and violence punctuated their days and nights.

When freedom finally came, such as with the liberation of Paris seventy-five years ago, the inhabitants of the City of Lights were beside themselves with joy. Having lived under the jackboots of the Germans for more than four years, the French celebrated with abandon. As the Allied troops (predominantly American) traveled the roads north out of Normandy toward the capital, people cried, waved handkerchiefs, climbed onto jeeps, and hugged and kissed the soldiers. Civilians clogged the route so thickly, they slowed the convoy to the point where leadership was concerned about arriving late. 

Because the Germans knew the liberation was coming, they fled the city. Fortunately for Parisians, Von Choltitz, the German military governor, disobeyed Hitler’s order to destroy the city before leaving. He signed the official surrender on August 25, before being taken into custody. He was held prisoner until April 1947. 

Check out this U.S. produced news reel about the liberation.

How would you have reacted as a citizen in an occupied country?

Linda Shenton Matchett is an author, speaker, and history geek. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she was born a stone's throw from Fort McHenry and has lived in historic places all her life. Linda is a member of ACFW, RWA, and Sisters in Crime. She is a volunteer docent and archivist at the Wright Museum of WWII. Find out more about Linda and her books, including Love's Rescue, (Wartime Brides series) set during the days leading up to the liberation of Paris: http://www.LindaShentonMatchett.com. Receive a free short story when you sign up for her newsletter.