Liberation of Paris in Stunning Detail | de Gaulle, Bradley & Simone Segouin | August 1944

Experience the Liberation of Paris in August 1944 through an extraordinary collection of original wartime footage, digitally restored and presented in exceptional image quality. This film follows the dramatic final advance toward Paris, the last battles against German defenders, the role of the French Resistance, the arrival of Allied forces, Charles de Gaulle’s triumphant return, and the historic victory celebrations that followed.
From road signs pointing toward Paris and armored columns advancing through liberated French towns to fierce street fighting, jubilant crowds, military parades, and iconic scenes beneath the Eiffel Tower, this rare documentary record captures one of the most important moments of World War II as it unfolded.
Among the highlights are the famous French Resistance fighter Simone Segouin ("Nicole Minet"), General Omar Bradley and other Allied commanders, Charles de Gaulle's appearance before the people of Paris, and extensive coverage of the Allied victory parade through the French capital.
This is one of the most complete and highest-quality visual records of the Liberation of Paris available online, bringing together the military campaign, the final battles, and the celebrations of freedom in a single film.

Chapters:
▷ 00:00 – Road to Paris: direction signs point the way
▷ 00:07 – Allied troops advance toward Paris
▷ 00:54 – American and French officers plan the offensive
▷ 01:15 – Jeep convoy through liberated French towns
▷ 01:42 – Resistance fighters and jubilant civilians
▷ 01:57 – American columns push forward
▷ 03:20 – First fighting on the outskirts of Paris
▷ 04:34 – Young female Resistance fighter, Simone Segouin (nom de guerre: Nicole Minet), armed for battle
▷ 04:38 – Street fighting and military coordination
▷ 05:19 – Triumphant advance through cheering crowds
▷ 06:13 – Street fighting against German defenders in Paris
▷ 07:21 – Hotel de Paris
▷ 08:09 – Crowds fill the streets of Paris as civilians ride in American jeeps
▷ 08:13 – Truck bearing the name "de Gaulle" and an effigy of Hitler hanging from a gallows
▷ 08:21 – Bullet hole in a shattered windowpane
▷ 08:24 – Smiling French woman with bright red lipstick
▷ 08:32 – American soldiers with bottles of champagne
▷ 08:39 – Camouflaged Packard Clipper Sedan vehicles
▷ 08:54 – General Bradley and other Generals
▷ 09:09 – Charles de Gaulle arrives, greets American officers, and steps onto the reviewing stand
▷ 09:54 – Allied victory parade: tanks, infantry, and military vehicles march through Paris
▷ 14:38 – American newsreel cameramen film the celebrations from jeeps equipped with tripod-mounted
▷ 14:42 – Young French woman serves wine to American soldiers
▷ 14:50 – Chicken pecks grain from an American military vehicle
▷ 15:02 – Smiling French woman with bright red lipstick
▷ 15:07 – Civilians and American soldiers in Paris
▷ 15:13 – Eiffel Tower and rainbow as American soldiers pose for photographs
▷ 16:33 – American military band performs at the Trocadéro before a huge crowd
▷ 17:12 – Smiling young women with elaborately styled hair
▷ 17:18 – Eiffel Tower, vast crowds, and an American military band
▷ 18:15 – Sailing vessel on the Seine and fishermen along the riverbank
▷ 20:08 – Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
▷ 20:35 – Boys choir singing in front of the Cathédrale

1944 © Archive footage licensed by Xerxes