American soldiers in jeeps are part of a traffic jam in Lyon, France, following its liberation by French forces in September, 1944. An air of celebration permeates the scene, Several French women ride with U.S. soldiers in American jeeps. A Blue vehicle displaying "FFI Police" (Free French of the Interior) and the Cross of Lorraine, is caught in the jam. A small black sedan displays "FFI" in white letters.Local civilians crowd the streets and ride on every possible spot on the various vehicles. Crowds of pedestrian spectators are restrained behind rough wooden fences. Camera views from vehicle crossing the Rhone River, show the destroyed Wilson bridge, and parts of city in background. Complete change of sequence to Rome, Italy. The Flag of Italy flying on an official building. Italian women surround American soldiers, Sergeant Lester Koenig and another NCO as they sit in a jeep. They all laugh and talk. Several Italian soldiers (one a medic) and women pose for the camera.
Three hundred and fifty men and women swim in the Seine River in Paris, France during a swimming contest. The swimmers swim past boats. Spectators watch the race. The swimmers swim under a bridge. Notre Dame cathedral overlooks swimmers. French champion Jean Taris swims and wins the race.
French civilians, on a boulevard in Paris, France, look on as a pilot boards a British Avro Rota autogyro (Cierva C.30A, British Civil Registration number G-ACWH). The autogyro, one of a dozen built for the British Royal Air Force, by Cierva Autogiro Co Ltd of Hanworth, UK, makes a demonstration takeoff and landing on the boulevard.
French recruits for the German Army parade to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris, France during World War II. French Vichy Secretary of State Joseph Darnand administers the oath to French recruits for the German Army. The recruits parade to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier beneath the Arc de Triomphe.
The city of Paris, France under German occupation during World War 2. View from above of Place de l'Opera and l'Academie Nationale de Musique - Theatre de l'Opera, with citizens going in and out of the metro subway station. Many new German signs seen. Point of view from moving vehicle of pedestrians, shops, and busy streets of Paris. POV from moving vehicle of French civilians on bicycles and German soldiers on foot. German vehicles drive along the streets.The Hotel Crillon with Swastika flags in front. A large sign in German reads Deutsches Soldatenkino (for a German Soldier's cinema or movie theatre). Sign for "Soldatenheim der Kommandantur gross Paris" (German Military Commander's headquarters in Paris.) People ride bicycles. German trucks drive along the street. French civilians in a line in front of a store, queuing for rations or supplies.
The city of Paris, France under German occupation during World War II. Interiors of the Paris Opera House during a German meeting. German officials exit from the gate of a public building accompanied by French politician Pierre Laval. The German officials shake hands with Laval who enters a car. View of the Longchamps race track. German and French officials with civilian officials during an outdoor ceremony. A French official pins medals on German soldiers. German, French officials and people outside a cathedral. A ceremony at the eternal light at the Arc de Triomphe. A scuffle in the crowd on the sidewalk.
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