Free French 1st Armored Division in Périers, Manche during World War 2. Free French troops on truck wagons, with piles of debris from bombings on the street. Soldiers stand on top of a moving M5 half-track. Behind the M5 half-track is the ruins of Église de Périers (Église Saint-Pierre Place du Général de Gaulle, 50190 Périers, France). The M5 half-track is followed by an army Jeep. A convoy of Red Cross ambulances pass by the Église Saint-Pierre. A French soldier shakes hands with a person sitting in the passenger seat of a Red Cross truck. French soldier leaves. More ambulances follow.
Free French 2nd Armored Division convoy enters Ducey, Normandy during World War 2. French men and women cheering as Free French troops enter Ducey. French women raising their hands while cheering. Sign reads “Centre d’ Accueil” (“Reception center” in English). Lieutenant Philippe de Gaulle, the son of Free France leader General Charles de Gaulle, checking a map in Ducey.
Free French 2nd Armored Division tanks firing guns while parked on a street in Antony, France during World War II. Smoke emanates in the horizon as tank shells hit. M4 Sherman tanks rolling on street. Side view of a Free French M4 Sherman tank (“Auerstedt”) firing its machine gun. Close side view of M4 Sherman tank firing main gun.
Parade celebrating the awarding of the Cross of Liberation (Croix de la Libération) to Paris after liberation from Nazi German occupation during World War II. Young Gendarmes act as crowd marshals and smile for the camera during the celebrations in Paris. General Charles de Gaulle salutes to French soldiers in the Place de la Concorde (Place de la Concorde 75008 Paris, France). French soldiers photograph General de Gaulle during the ceremonies. French Republican Guards (known at the time as Guard of Paris) hold the French tricolor flag in the Place de la Concorde. General Charles de Gaulle and other officials walking past the stage. General Charles de Gaulle speaks onstage. French soldiers holding flags. French honor guards raise their saber.
General Charles de Gaulle presents the French Cross of Liberation (Croix de la Libération) to the city of Paris after liberation from Nazi Germany in World War 2. At the entrance of the Paris City Hall (Paris Hôtel de Ville Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, 75004 Paris, France), soldiers, Republican Guards, and civilians gather to witness the ceremony. Representatives from the United States Army stands beside the United States flag. A Military Policeman salutes. As the Grand Chancellor of the Order of Liberation, General Charles de Gaulle delivers a speech beside the Paris coat of arms. French politician André le Troquer holds the Paris coat of arms as General de Gaulle talks. Allied generals watch the ceremony. A giant Cross of Liberation, illuminated by spotlights, is unveiled on the pediment of the Hôtel de Ville. Troops salute and sing “la marseillaise”. Major General Jacques Philippe Leclerc smiling during the ceremony. General Charles de Gaulle, with the Paris City Committee, important French politicians such as André le Troquer and Admiral Georges Thierry d’Argenlieu (also known as Father Louis of the Trinity, O.C.D.), the chancellor of the Ordre de la Libération, pose in front of the Hôtel de Ville.
M4 Sherman tanks and other military vehicles moving through country road in Normandy, France during World War II. Two United States soldiers crouch while advancing alongside road tanks pass by. United States infantry soldiers moving through a village and a forest. Soldiers climb over a fallen tree trunk. Soldiers pass by a dead cow. Soldiers moving in a field. A German prisoner places his hands behind his head after his capture by a United States soldier. United States soldiers walking beside a road. A damged road sign reads “Le Dese … Le Hommet "
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