Is Paris Burning?

Shortly after the failed July 20 plot, Hitler designates Dietrich von Choltitz as the military governor of Paris with orders to prevent Allied capture at all costs. Choltitz immediately faces the looming threat of a resistance uprising and the possibility of destroying the city. This appointment sets up a tense standoff over Paris's fate.

The French Resistance discovers that the Allies plan to bypass Paris and move directly toward Germany. This revelation creates strategic confusion and tests the resolve of different resistance factions. They must decide how to respond to a shifting wartime plan.

Two factions emerge: the Gaullists and the Communists. The Gaullists prefer waiting for a clear signal to act, while the Communists push for a general uprising and occupation of key buildings. Eventually, both sides commit to action once the plan is set in motion.

Choltitz is initially determined to follow Hitler’s order to level Paris. When his troops fail to dislodge the Resistance at the Police Prefecture, he orders the Luftwaffe to bomb the building, but Swedish consul Raoul Nordling urges restraint to spare nearby landmarks. The order is withdrawn, signaling a fragile ceasefire in the takedown of the Prefecture.

The Germans offer a truce through the Resistance, but the Communists demand continuation of the fight. The truce is sharply shortened to one day, keeping pressure on German forces. When the day ends, fighting resumes as planned.

A Resistance messenger crosses enemy lines to contact the Americans, conveying that parts of Paris are under resistance control and begging for support to prevent destruction, including a warning that the Allies would never forgive Paris if it is destroyed. The message underscores the strategic and moral stakes of the battle for Paris. General Bradley considers a response and begins coordinating relief efforts.

As German military prospects deteriorate, General Omar Bradley approves the 2nd Armored Division under General Philippe Leclerc to move toward Paris. This decision aims to project Allied power into the city and deter wholesale destruction. The plan aligns with French Free Forces and accelerates the liberation timeline.

German forces prepare to destroy Paris, rigging the Eiffel Tower and other landmarks with explosives. The city’s fate hangs on the decisions of commanders who fear both Allied capture and total ruin. Choltitz weighs his loathe for the plan against the costs of noncompliance.

Two SS officers arrive at Choltitz’s HQ and claim that Himmler wants the Bayeux Tapestry retrieved for private collection before the Louvre is destroyed. Choltitz recognizes the bizarre, almost surreal nature of the orders amid the city’s chaos. The moment highlights the absurdities of the German command structure in the crush of war.

A line of Sherman tanks advances toward Paris, operated by Free French crews with a small American escort. The attack is symbolic as much as strategic, intended to demonstrate Allied commitment and deter destruction. The tanks approach the Hôtel de Ville after crossing roughly 50 km from the city.

Choltitz chooses not to detonates the explosives and surrenders as Allied forces penetrate Paris. He phones his German superiors to plead that his family not suffer for his inaction. Some officers continue to place mines, as street fighting persists around central Paris.

Civilians join the battle in the streets until German headquarters are pushed back from central districts like Rue de Rivoli and the Hotel Meurice. The French tanks reach Notre Dame Cathedral and reactivate its bells, drawing cheers from the crowd. De Gaulle leads a parade through liberated streets as documentary footage of the crowds appears on screen, signaling a hopeful finish to the siege.