keywords: war, combat, world war two, wwII, europe, normandy beachhead, liberation of france
Synopsis: The France Campaign of World War II began on July 25, 1944, with General Bernard Montgomery launching Operation COBRA to break out from the Normandy beachhead, and concluded on September 14 with Belgium and most of France liberated from German rule... (read more)
At Quebec, Canada in 1943 President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill (shown seated) make the decision to invade Europe. Three months later, President Roosevelt, Prime Minister Churchill, and Soviet leader Josef Stalin, (shown seated), met in Tehran to set a date for an all out offensive on all fronts.
Shows German fortification along the coast of Europe, heavy gun emplacements, tank traps, and pillboxes. Shows members of the German general staff inspecting the Atlantic Wall. In the spring of 1944, Allied bombers began the systematic destruction of the Nazi production facilities. Close-up of bomber gunner firing machine gun. Shows a bomber gunner shooting down a German fighter plane. Shows bombing run, bombs dropping from bomb bay of plane, bombs falling and hitting ground targets. Shows vast war equipment and supplies being stocked in England. Shows General Eisenhower and General Montgomery looking at wall map of Europe.
Shows the Allied Forces landing on the beaches of France (Normandy Invasion) and pushing inland. Shows allied artillery and tank assault on the port city of Cherbourg. Shows surrender of German troops, shows General Eisenhower in jeep with General Bradley, shows bombing of the Saint-Lo area, shows tanks and infantry advancing, German tanks and troops retreat. Shows long column of German prisoners being marched to the rear. Shows long line of trucks moving supplies to the rapidly advancing Allied Forces. The liberation of Southern France began with thousands of Airborne Troops (paratroopers) being dropped behind German lines.
The Free French Forces battle German troops and tanks in Paris. Shows Eiffel Tower. Several scenes of the Free French Forces fighting the Germans. Shows civilian tossing a hand grenade into a German Troop truck. The assignment to free Paris was given to the French 2nd Armored Division. Shows French citizens welcoming the French Liberation Forces. Shows surrender of German Forces. Large crowd of French citizens cheering General Le Clerc and General De Gaulle as they enter the city.