Liberation of Paris - accounts needed

Discussion in 'France' started by Carnavalet, Apr 17, 2014.

  1. Carnavalet

    Carnavalet New Member

    Hello,

    My name is Laurie, and I work for the Carnavalet Museum, in Paris, France. We are currently preparing an exhibition for the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of Paris; you can find more information about it here:
    http://www.carnavalet.paris.fr/sites/default/files/cp_paris_freed_0.pdf .

    As part of our exhibition, we try to work with people who took part in the events at that time. We have been collecting accounts of former members of the resistance, American veterans... We are now trying to find WWII British veterans who were in Paris during the Liberation. We would really like to get in touch with those people, and be able to film their stories.

    Do any of you know people who might be able to help us, and who might be interested in being a part of this project? Any help will be appreciated.

    Thank you!
     
    ritsonvaljos likes this.
  2. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    You will not find many British men in Paris at the liberation. Paris was off limits to British Troops, it was to be the preserve of the Americans. So that they and they alone could share the Glory of entering Paris. If you do find some..... they should not have been there. This is always the cause of discontent amongst the British.... For what ever is said, The fighting qualities of the British were ignored....I never forgot the snub.
    Let me say again. All British forces were forbidden to enter Paris on the liberation... Americans only.....
     
  3. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

  4. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Carington,_6th_Baron_Carrington
    Not a great deal said, but this from one of the few Brits who were there...
    from IWM interview, details via link:
    http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80011023

    Interview transcribed here
    http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/51814-peter-alexander-rupert-carington-mc-2nd-armd-bn-grenadier-guards-gad/?hl=%2Bcarrington+%2Bparis
     
    CL1 likes this.
  5. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

  6. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Good one JB, saved me the trouble of getting out his book.
     
  7. Slipdigit

    Slipdigit Old Hickory Recon

    Laurie,

    Please contact me via private message. I have a friend who has come into possession of some home video that appears to have been shot by a tanker with the French 2nd DB. I've not seen the video, but he says it is about 12 or so minutes long.
     
  8. ritsonvaljos

    ritsonvaljos Senior Member

    There is some footage

    There is a fair amount of film footage of Paris at the time of her Deliverance. Would this be from that archive?
     
  9. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    BBC audio in the "Witness" series (11 mins) on: The Liberation of Paris

    BBC World Service - Witness, The Liberation of Paris

    In August 1944, French and US forces freed Paris from German occupation. The liberators were met by crowds of celebrating Parisians. Listen to reports of some of the war correspondents who arrived first in the liberated city.

    First broadcast 19th August 2014.
     
    Last edited: Aug 25, 2018
  10. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    From Through Adversity: The History of the RAF Regiment, KM Oliver:
    Screenshot 2018-10-23 at 09.48.35.png
     
  11. Dave55

    Dave55 Atlanta, USA

    75th Anniversary

    upload_2019-8-25_20-5-9.png
     

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