Liberation of France from German troops during World War II. People celebrate the liberation of France as well as Paris. General Charles de Gaulle addresses the people of France. People celebrate in the streets of Paris. Allied soldiers loaded on trucks and tanks being greeted by the people. A soldier addresses the masses in French. People get on a tank.
U.S. infantry engaged in urban street fighting in World War 2. Allied troops fighting with German troops during Liberation of Paris. U.S. Army soldiers talk into radio before advancing. Soldiers with rifles crouch. Troops fire machine guns from windows of captured buildings. Tanks advance on street. French FFI citizen soldiers fire from upper stories of the building on enemy German trucks. French man throws a grenade from a window down to a truck with German troops in it. Truck explodes and Germany troops emerge from it, some on fire. Tanks advance under Eiffel Tower. Allied troops join French Forces of Interior. Scene changes to Aachen, Germany. Allied troops advance into Aachen. Soldier moves ahead. Sign reads 'Aachen'. Minister of Propaganda in Nazi Germany, Joseph Goebbels speaks at microphone. Wrecked buildings of Aachen as U.S. Army soldiers move through the city during a nine day period of urban combat. Smoke arises from streets. U.S. Army tanks advance on street. Soldiers fire from behind brick wall. Soldiers moves by a wrecked building. Soldiers firing mortars.
Alternating World War 2 footage and dramatized scenes with actors. German Luftwaffe bombers destroying French cities. Invasion of France by Germany. Burning buildings and debris in French cities during 1940 invasion. Hitler viewing Eiffel Tower while visiting Paris in June 1940 after occupation. German flag atop Eiffel Tower. Allied fighter aircraft shot down, pilot ejects and parachutes to ground as aircraft crashes with explosion. Pilot landing in parachute, gathering and hiding parachute. Actors conversation segment. Footage of sad looking and defeated French soldiers marching in streets of France under occupying German guard, as depressed French citizens look on. French General Philippe Petain at desk delivering speech that calls for collaboration with Germans. Close ups of sad and crying French men, women, and children in streets of France suffering war and occupation. Petain salutes soldiers during a parade after he abolishes representative government. Petain speaks from podium to gathered soldiers. View of French General Charles De Gaulle, in Britain, calling for continued French resistance and speaking to French officers on a warship. Actor dialog segment. Footage of Petain visiting Hitler. They shake hands while photographers record the meeting. Actor segments. Footage of Free French forces training and marching in various cities. Free French soldier receives machine gun training. French officer training in Russia at a Soviet recognition ceremony. French soldiers carry railroad ties and discuss over a map. RAF spitfires in flight. Sign at training camp "French Air Force Squadron. Flexible Gunnery School." Allied naval ships at sea; close views of ship guns. Smoke rises from French ship fleet scuttled at Toulon November 27, 1942. Mobilized French citizens receiving rifle training. Free French Army encampment with French flag raising ceremony. French citizens gather to read posted German notices. Parade celebrating liberation of Paris in World War II. Happy French citizens smile and cheer French, American, and Soviet allies marching in Paris.
Civilians in Paris celebrate the liberation of France during World War II. Crowd of many men and women gathered outside a building. 'Royal' written on one of the boards on the building. A vehicle arrives in front of the building. People beside the vehicle. French women collaborationists and some men collaborators with raised hands come out of the building. A crowd jeers at them. Officers in front of the crowd. More women come out of the building with raised hands. Men and women look at them. The officers at the entrance door of the building. The women get into the vehicle. The crowd mobbing around the vehicle. An officer beside the door of the vehicle. Two men seated on top of the vehicle. The vehicle leaves the area. The crowd in front of the building.
French civilians greet Allied troops after the Liberation of Paris during World War II. A crowd of French civilians in Latin Quarter section greets Allied troops entering the city. A French man flashes a “Victory” gesture. A soldier on a Jeep takes pictures. Crowds of French civilians making “V for Victory” hand gesture.
French civilians greet entering Allied troops after the liberation of Paris during World War II. Troops and French civilians atop a tank on a street. Civilians around the soldiers. The civilians and the soldiers in front of the Lion de Belfort. The civilians wave on the streets. A soldier drives a jeep.