Nazi Governor of Paris General von Choltitz Taken Into Custody (Liberation of Paris, 25.08.1944)

Rare color footage filmed by the U.S. Army in Paris on August 25 during the liberation of the city in 1944. The film shows former German military governor General Dietrich von Choltitz in Allied custody, captured German officers escorted through Paris, American soldiers, French Resistance fighters, and scenes from the streets of liberated Paris.
General Dietrich von Choltitz, the German military governor of Paris, surrendered the city on August 25, 1944. Despite Hitler’s direct order to destroy Paris before its liberation, von Choltitz ultimately refused to carry out the destruction of the French capital.
The footage also includes close-up shots of Charles de Gaulle shortly after the liberation of the French capital. Originally filmed by George Stevens and preserved in American military archives.

Chapters:
▷ 00:00 – General von Choltitz exits military vehicle
▷ 00:34 – Captured German officers escorted away
▷ 01:36 – German officer in American jeep
▷ 01:51 – Street scenes in liberated Paris
▷ 01:54 – French officer with captured German tank crewman
▷ 02:42 – General von Choltitz among Allied officers and General Leclerc
▷ 03:17– More captured German officers

1944 © Archive footage licensed by Xerxes