Paris 1940 & 1944

[KriegsmarineFreak]

It looks like the French resistance played a huge role in recapturing Paris. The English played no part in it.

[Owen]

From 4th Wilts War Diary.

9/9/44 Giverney , France.
Visits to Pars commence. 26 allowed to go, travelling in unit tpt.
Normal training carried out.

10/9/44 Giverney , France.
Visits to PARIS continue.
Church parade held in village hall.

11/9/44 Giverney , France.
Further visits to PARIS after being cancelled previous night.
Normal trg carried out.

12/9/44 Giverney, France.
Visits to PARIS cancelled.
Baths for Bn at MBU. Coys carry on with normal routine.

I'm not saying they were there for the liberation, they just popped down later as tourists.

[sapper]

I said that despite the bar on the British some got there. As to the French playing a great part in the freeing of the City? In fact they did very little, only coming to the surface as the Germans fled the City.

During the long battles, at no time did we find evidence, or meet up with
"Freedom Fighters" We did in Belgium but not in France.
Sapper

[Owen]

From 1st Worcesters War Diary.
Worcestershire Regiment(29th/36th of Foot) Web site

Sept 9th

Bn still at PRESSAGNY and liberty trips organised to PARIS

Didn't we have a thread awhile ago about how the Free-French wanted a WHITE unit to Liberate Paris as apposed to a Colonial unit of Black or other coloured troops?
Aha here it is.
http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/world-w...ighlight=paris

[Owen]

In Assault Division it says some of 3rd Div's troops got to Paris until their trips were stopped.

For two or three days all units sent a few lucky troops into Paris for the day, but this excellent scheme had to be abandoned when Paris was placed out of bounds to all British troops.

I think that would have annoyed me too, letting the Yanks have all the fun in gay-Paree!

[sapper]

We had strict orders not to go to Paris. Not that we had the chance. PITY!
Sapper

[Slipdigit]

I used to go to church with a man from the US 30th Division. He told me that they were not allowed to go to Paris either. I don't know at what level of command the prohibition came from.

[von Poop]

Originally Posted by Slipdigit

I don't know at what level of command the prohibition came from.

No doubt the level that were enjoying what the 'city of lights' had to offer .

[Owen]

Found an interesting article about an American unit based in Paris.
Seine Section, Paris, France, 1945 - WWII Unit History (Lone Sentry)
Reading this would annoy the British Tommies who weren't allowed there.

The establishment of Paris as an important leave center brought with it the need for lodging, messing and recreational facilities for the U. S. Forces. The American Red Cross made available a number of clubs for all branches of the service. The first club to open in Paris was Rainbow Corner, which opened on 3 September 1944. By V-E Day, 8 May 1945, there were fourteen clubs open in Paris plus three day-clubs for feeding. By the middle of June 1945, there were a total of approximately 10,000 beds for leave troops. Over a hundred thousand officers and men per week attended six of our large Cinemas and Theaters.

Perhaps the powers that be thought it best to keep the Tommies & GI's apart, as they'd probably trash the place, once they started fighting each-other.

[51highland]

Originally Posted by sapper

We had strict orders not to go to Paris. Not that we had the chance. PITY!
Sapper

Indeed a Pity, when reading or seeing documentaries about it, it is easy to think that the war had paused for the liberation.
British forces were fighting hard at that time in the pursuit of the German army to the Seine. From 5th Camerons diary;

"....... patrols were pushed out towards the Seine, 60 prisoners were brought in at the end of the day. The battalion consolidated on high ground a mile from the river. It was here that all available fire power dealt with the Germans still trying to get across: there were Cameron 6 pounders; the 17 pounders of "K" Troop in support; the medium machine guns of "D" Company, 1/7th Middlesex Regiment; and the ever present faithful friends, the 492nd Highland Field Battery, while dominating the immediate area ahead were the battalion Snipers of scout platoon.
It was a glorious day, reminiscent of Punt shooting. There was only one ferry left for the enemy to use, and by good luck this was in range of small arms. All the weapons that could be mustered were unleashed over open sights at the unfortunate Germans cooped up on a small raft like contraption in mid - river. The toll taken of the enemy was indeed heavy".