Liberation+of+Paris

The Liberation of Paris was a military operation to take Paris back from the Germans during WWII. During the Liberation of Paris, the French forces were fighting to take Paris from German control and occupation. Paris had been under Nazi Germany rule since 1940. The Liberation of Paris took place from August 19, 1944 to August 25, 1944.

The liberation started when French armored divisions began moving into Paris and the French resistance started freeing prisoners. On August 19, 1944 civilians started an uprising against the Nazis, 1500 civilians died that day. When the French Army began to advance the Germans began killing groups of resistance fighters and burning the Grand Palais.

On August 25, 1944 Jacques-Philippe Leclerc came into Paris with his 2nd Armored Division to take Paris back. This division was heavily armed and had tanks and trucks from America. The Liberation of Paris ended on August 25, 1944, when the Germans were forced to surrender. The French forces continued attacking German soldiers after they surrendered and there were many casualties.

The French themselves were able to liberate Paris rather than the Allies. Although Paris was liberated, the war raged on in other areas of France until 1945.