Ah....... Paris ! No other city quite like it ............. Nita & I visited there on our honeymoon in July 1949 when the travel allowance was a paltry £25.00. and yes, we've still got the Album to show our grandkids !
Montgomery was invited by Eisenhower to bring some Brits but was in a snit, according to the book I'm reading. 2500 FFI were killed in the battle.
I have so enjoyed this post I think it needs re lighting . I got an education and plenty of belly laughs Elsie
Here's a snippet from one Englishman who went to Paris during the liberation http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/51814-peter-alexander-rupert-carington-mc-2nd-armd-bn-grenadier-guards-gad/?p=607385
General de Gaulle well understood the saying: "He who controls Paris, controls France". In my opinion, he was always going to get into Paris as soon as possible. For those who can understand French, this is a link to the official French Resistance film about the fighting and Liberation of Paris: http://www.ina.fr/video/AFE99000038/journal-de-la-resistance-la-liberation-de-paris-video.html The film ends at the Place de la Republique with a shot of the Morice statue of the French Republic and the music of the 'Marseillese'. The film may still be of interest even for those who are not fluent French speakers as it shows many authentic scenes of the fighting, welcoming the liberating troops, De Gaulle's arrival in Paris, etc. Attachment: The Morice statue of the Republic, Place de la Republique, Paris.
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.carnavale...ris_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!
Good day Laurie, It seems to be an interesting project you are involved with. I trust it goes well. As you are no doubt aware relatively few British soldiers went in to Paris at the time of the Liberation. I As it happens, one of my uncles, his C.O and the rest of his section were in Paris just after the Liberation. Unfortunately, my uncle and his C.O. passed away several years ago. Thus I am unable to assist you find witnesses who are still living. If it is of any interest to you, this is a lnk to a BBC "People's War" article I wrote about my uncle's wartime visits to Paris: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/21/a3626921.shtml
some pics from IWM of British troops in Paris 1944. Cheering crowds greet British troops in Paris, 26 August 1944. THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-45. © IWM (BU 21)IWM Non Commercial Licence British troops enjoy the attention of French girls after bringing a food convoy to Paris, 29 August 1944. THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-45. © IWM (BU 177)IWM Non Commercial Licence British troops enjoy a drink among cheering crowds in Paris, 26 August 1944. THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-45. © IWM (BU 26)IWM Non Commercial Licence An AFPU (Army Film and Photographic Unit) jeep displaying a large union flag drives down the Champs Elysees in Paris, 26 August 1944. THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-45. © IWM (BU 89)IWM Non Commercial Licence An AFPU photographer kisses a small child before cheering crowds in Paris, 26 August 1944. THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-45. © IWM (BU 18)IWM Non Commercial Licence
Thank you for your reply. I know there were not much British soldiers during the liberation of Paris, but since our exhibition mentions them, we would still like to find some of them, though I realize it might be difficult. Your uncle's accounts of his experience in Paris is a great source! It would have been interesting to use it for our exhibit, unfortunately we are looking for filmed interviews. This is why we try to meet the veterans we work with, so we can film them.
