The liberation of Paris becomes a struggle between military destruction, resistance action, and the preservation of a historic city.
Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases
The City Under Threat
Von Choltitz assumes command of occupied Paris with orders connected to the city's possible destruction. Resistance factions respond differently as Allied forces approach.
Key Events
Choltitz Takes Paris Command — Von Choltitz becomes military governor of occupied Paris and is expected to destroy the city if necessary. Characters: Von CholtitzLocation: Occupied Paris
Resistance Factions React — The Gaullists debate whether to reveal themselves as Allied forces approach Paris. Characters: Jacques Chaban-DelmasLocation: Paris
Paris Uprising Begins — A general uprising begins, with resistance forces occupying important government buildings. Characters: Jacques Chaban-DelmasLocation: Paris government district
Gaullists Join Resistance — The Gaullists are effectively forced to participate in the expanding insurrection. Characters: Jacques Chaban-DelmasLocation: Paris
The Uprising Spreads
Resistance forces occupy government buildings and draw the Gaullists into open action. German attempts to retake the Police Prefecture fail.
Key Events
Prefecture Resists Attack — German troops fail to dislodge resistance forces from the Police Prefecture. Characters: Jacques Chaban-Delmas, Von CholtitzLocation: Paris Police Prefecture
Bombing Order Issued — Von Choltitz orders an air attack against the occupied Police Prefecture. Characters: Von CholtitzLocation: German command headquarters
Cultural Destruction Warning — A warning emphasizes that missed bombs could destroy Notre Dame and other cultural landmarks. Characters: Von CholtitzLocation: German command headquarters
Gaullist Truce Accepted — Von Choltitz accepts a truce proposed by the Gaullists after the bombing threat. Characters: Jacques Chaban-Delmas, Von CholtitzLocation: Paris
A Fragile Truce
The threat of bombing Paris leads to a temporary truce between the German command and the Gaullist resistance. Continued fighting soon destroys the ceasefire.
Key Events
Truce Collapses — The ceasefire ends after one day when continued resistance fighting prevents a lasting settlement. Characters: Jacques Chaban-Delmas, Von CholtitzLocation: Paris streets
Resistance Requests Support — A resistance messenger seeks Allied support and warns that explosives have been placed around Paris. Characters: Jacques Chaban-DelmasLocation: Roads approaching Paris
Armored Entry Approved — Allied command approves the entry of an armored division into Paris.
Location: Allied command post
Choltitz Rejects Futility — Von Choltitz regards destroying Paris as futile because the war is already lost. Characters: Von CholtitzLocation: Hotel Meurice
The Armored Advance
Resistance appeals for military support, and Allied armored forces enter Paris. German troops prepare explosives while the city becomes a battlefield.
Key Events
Explosives Prepared — German forces prepare explosives in the Eiffel Tower and beneath bridges and landmarks. Characters: Von CholtitzLocation: Paris landmarks
Free French Tanks Enter — Free French Sherman tanks enter Paris as the front line reaches the city.
Location: Paris streets
First Tank Is Hit — The first Sherman tank is struck by an artillery shell during the advance.
Location: Paris streets
Tanks Reach City Hall — A tank unit reaches the Hôtel de Ville while fighting continues across Paris.
Location: Hôtel de Ville
Paris Survives
Von Choltitz decides to surrender rather than destroy Paris, although fighting continues. The bells of Notre Dame and the liberation parade mark the city's survival.
Key Events
Choltitz Chooses Surrender — Von Choltitz gives no destruction order and decides to surrender his forces. Characters: Von CholtitzLocation: Hotel Meurice
Street Fighting Continues — Fighting continues as civilians join the battle and surrender arrangements are carried through the city. Characters: Jacques Chaban-Delmas, Von CholtitzLocation: Rue de Rivoli
Surrender Order Delivered — French forces ask Von Choltitz to send German officers with them to transmit the surrender order. Characters: Von Choltitz, Jacques Chaban-DelmasLocation: Hotel Meurice
Notre Dame Bells Ring — French tanks reach Notre Dame and the bells ring after years of silence.
Location: Notre Dame Cathedral
Liberation Parade — Free French forces parade through Paris while crowds cheer and sing La Marseillaise. Characters: Jacques Chaban-DelmasLocation: Paris streets
Paris Remains Intact — A dangling telephone evokes repeated questions about Paris burning, while aerial footage shows the city intact. Characters: Von CholtitzLocation: Paris
Story Breakdown
German Command — Von Choltitz receives authority over occupied Paris and faces pressure to destroy it.
Governor Appointed — Von Choltitz is placed in command of Paris.
Destruction Order — The German command expects Paris to be destroyed if capture becomes unavoidable.
Resistance Divisions — Different resistance factions disagree over timing, secrecy, and open revolt.
Gaullist Caution — Jacques Chaban-Delmas and the Gaullists initially avoid exposing themselves.
General Uprising — Resistance forces mobilize civilians and occupy government buildings.
Prefecture Battle — The Police Prefecture becomes a central point of resistance against German forces.
German Assault — German troops fail to remove resistance forces from the building.
Bombing Threat — Von Choltitz orders an attack that could also damage Paris landmarks.
Failed Truce — Negotiation briefly interrupts the fighting but cannot overcome continued resistance action.
Gaullist Proposal — The Gaullists offer a truce to prevent immediate destruction.
Ceasefire Ends — The truce dies after one day when fighting continues.
Armored Liberation — A resistance appeal results in Allied armored forces entering Paris.
Support Requested — A messenger warns that Paris landmarks are rigged with explosives.
Tanks Advance — Free French Sherman tanks enter the city despite artillery resistance.
Surrender Decision — Von Choltitz rejects the final destruction of Paris and begins surrender arrangements.
Orders Withheld — Von Choltitz gives no order to destroy the city.
German Surrender — French forces request that German officers transmit the surrender order.
City Reborn — Paris survives intact and celebrates liberation through bells, music, and public ceremony.
Cathedral Bells — The bells of Notre Dame ring after years of silence.
Liberation Parade — Free French forces parade through cheering streets as Paris remains undestroyed.
Near the end of World War II, General Dietrich von Choltitz receives orders to burn down Paris if it becomes clear the Allies are going to invade, or if he's unable to maintain control of the city. After much contemplation, Choltitz ignores orders, enraging the Germans and giving hope to various resistance factions that the city will be liberated. Choltitz, alongside Swedish diplomat Raoul Nordling, helps a leader organise his forces.
