U.S. Army General George S Patton visits France. Arc de Triomphe (Pl. Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris, France) on the Avenue Champs-Élysées. General Patton and French General Alphonse Juin arrive at the Arc De Triomphe in Paris. He is greeted by officers. Photographers click pictures. The General and other officers salute at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He places a wreath at the Eternal Light. The General signs the Golden Book. Soldiers give a gun salute. General Patton salutes the French flag. (World War II period).
Aircraft C-47s lined up for takeoff in France during World War II. They make successive staggered takeoffs from two queues on dirt strips. C-47s, in formation, flying over Chartres, France. C-47s on way to Drop Zone for paratroopers. Paratroopers drop from C-47s. Sky filled with parachutes. Orange smoke seen on ground.
V-E Day (Victory in Europe Day) celebrations in Paris, France at the end of World War II. Eternal light under Arc de Triomphe (Pl. Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris, France). The Tomb of Unknown Soldier decorated with flowers and civilians pay respect. Parisians applaud. Floral piece of French insignia carried by two British soldiers. Ceremonies around the Tomb of Unknown Soldier. Loudspeakers being used in ceremony. U.S. P-47 Thunderbolt fighter aircraft dives and goes in a Victory Roll.
Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe General Dwight D. Eisenhower in Cherbourg, France during World War II. General Eisenhower walks with Major General Henry Aurand, across railroad tracks in port area of Cherbourg, France. Steam locomotives and railroad trains in the background. Eisenhower walks along the docks, past a ship being offloaded to a railroad box car. General Eisenhower and Major General Henry Aurand, step from staff car upon arrival at 165th General Hospital. They are escorted along established paths lined with post and rope fencing. The large hospital tents display red crosses. General Eisenhower gives some soldiers his autograph. He and his party stand by a large pressure tank, as a soldier uses a wrench to adjust a control. Eisenhower chats pleasantly with U.S. Navy personnel at the camp. General Aurand stands by Eisenhower as he talks with an Army Colonel. His staff car and driver are in the background. Eisenhower warmly greets Naval and Marine officers on board a ship in port, where supplies are being offloaded. He looks down into the ship's hold from the deck above.
Paris parade celebrating the awarding of the Cross of Liberation (Croix de la Libération) after liberation from Nazi Germany during World War II. Parade takes place on Rue Royale, Place de la Madeleine, and other streets in Paris. French troops stand up and salute. Close view of a French soldier saluting outside the L'église de la Madeleine (Place de la Madeleine, 75008 Paris, France). United States soldiers use cameras to record the event. French troops carrying a flag (with words) marching on Rue Royale. General Charles de Gaulle and other official stand on stage in the Place de la Concorde (Place de la Concorde 75008 Paris, France). General Charles de Gaulle salutes. An M5 half-track leaves the Place de la Concorde. Two soldiers with a French tricolor flag on top of a moving Free French 2nd Armored Division M4 Sherman tank in Rue Royale, followed by a smaller tank. Two Free French M4 tanks side by side. Several French tricolor flags on flagpoles near crowds of civilians. French troops stand and march with flags in Place de la Concorde. Soldiers with guns marching in Place de la Concorde. A distant observation airplane flying above soldiers standing near the Seine river, with the view of the Eiffel Tower behind. General De Gaulle and important officials sitting on chairs onstage. A cavalry regiment during the parade in Rue Royale. Cheering crowds watching the parade on Rue Royale.
A United States airplane lands. Lieutenant General Jacob L Devers and Lieutenant General Brehon Somervell disembark. A car arrives. The Generals board another plane and depart.