An Allied tank drives past the Eiffel Tower in Paris, on August 25, 1944, during World War 2. Cheering Parisians hold up a newspaper reading: "Paris is delivered"and mentions French Forces entering Paris. A jeep filled with American soldiers passes through the celebrating crowd. View of American soldiers, including an Army chaplain, mingling with the citizens. More views of the people, including some carrying a large banner reading: "Liberated." They are followed by others carrying French tricolor national flags. Some carry placards thanking the Allies Some cite the Free French and display the Cross of Lorraine. Other placards contain the name "DeGaulle." American M4 Sherman tanks and jeeps drive along a tree-lined street. Closeups of children clapping their hands. A soldier drinks wine from a bottle. American soldiers kissing French girls. More scenes of celebration. A huge crowd gathered at Place de la Concorde with the Egyptian obelisk clearly visible. At this point, the film shifts to images of Paris before the war showing the gay night life of the city. Sidewalks in the artist section. Cafes with outdoor seating. Night clubs with risque shows. Fire works and displays that illustrate why Paris was called the City of Lights. Street open air markets with flowers, foods, and various other commodities for sale. A street vendor on a 3-wheel bicycle cart. The Egyptian obelisk at Place de la Concorde with the Arch of Triumph in the far background. Cars driving on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées near the Arch of Triumph. Notre Dame Cathedral. Sign for Metropolitan (subway). Imposing building along the River Seine with sightseeing boats plying the waters. Monumental bridges. A bus carries passengers along a city street. Men and boys carrying fresh newspapers for delivery. Parisians gather around the eternal flame at the Unknown Soldier Memorial under the Arc de Triomphe monument. A soldier memorial sculpture on the monument. Here the film reverts back to World War II. A German flag flying on a ship. Adolf Hitler showing delight at bringing the French to surrender on 22 June 1940, at the same railroad car of Compiegne, in which the armistice ending World War I was signed on Nov. 11, 1918. The Nazi German flag placed over the French monument in the “Glade of the Armistice”at Compiegne. German officers driving in staff cars past the Arc de Triomphe as German forces occupy Paris on June 14, 1940 in World War II. Views of French citizens listening to the voice of General Dwight D. Eisenhower over their radios, as he broadcasted from London, on June 6, 1944. Naval guns firing. Americans hitting the beach in Normandy (famous image, showing some soldiers falling to enemy fire). Members of the French forces of the Interior (FFI) preparing to engage occupying German forces. The Cross of Lorraine being placed on the sleeve of a woman member. The FFI setting up baricades and defenses in Paris. A tree being cut down for use in defense works. Young boys with shovels helping build fortifications. FFI members hunkered down behind sand-bagged defense positions. FFI firing their rifles and retrieving dead and wounded. German Panzer tanks in the streets. FFI engaged in Guerrilla warfare, sniper against sniper. FFI firing rifles in streets and one firing a machine gun from a building. A German tank burning on a street. Civilians hunkering down as snipers exchange fire. A German soldier captured and escorted by FFI. An Army M8 Greyhound armored car and jeeps and trucks, and M4 Sherman tanks, occupied by de Gaulle's Free French forces, head toward Paris. General de Gaulle standing in a jeep as it moves along a Paris street. FFI remove street barriers to allow an M4 Sherman tank to enter Paris. Free French soldiers and and Americans, accompanied by tanks, race under the Eiffel Tower. A line of Allied armored vehicles held up by last ditch defense actions by German forces. Explosions are heard. Gun fire seen emanating from many windows in a large building. Soldiers firing at the windows. German soldiers emerge from the building with arms raised. Surrendering German soldiers and officers are paraded with arms over their heads headed to prison camps. Some are put to work sweeping debris from a street. General de Gaulle leads a parade of Frenchman along the Champs-Élysées. He places a wreath near the eternal flame under the Arch of Triumph. French people sitting atop a line of Allied armored vehicles. More views of celebrating French people. General Dwight D. Eisenhower and General Omar Bradley speaking with a soldier. The French tricolor being raised on a flag pole.
A U.S. cemetery near Eterville after the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France during World War II. Frenchmen bury dead paratroopers of U.S. 82nd Airborne Division. Wrecked gliders in the foreground.
The harbor area of Cherbourg in Normandy, France after the D-Day invasion of Normandy during World War II. Damaged docks, harbor area and a railroad station of Cherbourg. German fortifications and gun positions. Damaged buildings.
Allied invasion task force loading tanks, vehicles, troops and equipment on ships,at British ports, in readiness for the D-Day invasion of Normandy, in World war 2. Armored vehicle seen loaded onto USS Boone County (LST-389) at Falmouth in Cornwell, England on June 2, 1944, as troops load various ships. Troops near anchored craft USS LCI(L)-84 and another vessel (possibly marked 48 or 49). Tanks, bulldozers, and heavy equipement being loaded. View of Landing Ship Tank LST-621 and then LST-317 being loaded. DUKW vehicles in queue to load. A U.S. Army soldier is hoisted aboard a British Royal Navy ship in a special harness. British sailors around him and another U.S. Army soldier on the deck. Invasion troops from England and the United States spending their waiting time aboard ships. Three seen playing musical instruments: Accordion, guitar, and violin. Several play cards. Two practice gymnastics. Some prepare weapons and ammunition (view of LST-506 or LCI-506 in background). Navy sailors and U.S. Army troops huddled together in tight groups as they are briefed by their respective officers regarding the invasion mission.
U.S. troops in Cherbourg after the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France during World War II. U.S. soldiers and French civilians in a square. The U.S. and the French flags fly from a building. U.S. soldiers play various instruments and sing.
U.S. troops in Cherbourg after the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France during World War II. U.S. soldiers march in a square. U.S. Army Major Generals Raymond Barton and Ira T. Wyche. U.S. officer and soldiers get off a tank.
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