HITLER’S VISIT TO PARIS: JUNE 1940

HITLER’S VISIT TO PARIS: JUNE 1940​

After a series of articles on Babi yar and Ukraine, I have finally finished the first one from my FRANCE 2019 journey. This historical research is devoted to Adolf Hitler’s only visit to Paris in June 1940, a pretext and consequences. In wider means, I invite you to deepen into the story of the Fall of France, the occupation of Paris, and the trip of the German retinue next to Hitler. I have used merely 70 books, from Kershaw to Longerich, from Speer to Herman Giesler’s memoirs, a number of books on Paris, and particularly the occupation, biographies of Napoleon: all to put together this exhaustively detailed 14 000-word article (my largest to date). The cross-examination of the sources made it clearer the exact day of the visit and Hitler’s entourage: generally misinterpreted issues. As always, dozens of archival and my own photos from the locations, a map with markings for your own journies.

I would greatly appreciate your feedback on the material, as it gives me the enthusiasm to keep traveling, researching, and writing. I wish you good historical books and journeys.

https://war-documentary.info/hitler-in-paris-june-1940/

 

The Germans, however, captured Paris during WWII. Upon their arrival in the city, the lift cables of the Eiffel Tower were cut by the French. During the years of the war, the site remained closed to the public, and the elevators were repaired only in 1946. In 1940, the German soldiers had to climb the tower to hoist the swastika flag.

Hitler visited Paris only once, and reportedly, he would gush about the French capital for months afterward. He was so impressed by the city, especially upon visiting Napoleon’s tomb, as both him and Napoleon had been foreigners to the countries they ruled. When he was at the Eiffel Tower, he preferred to stay on the ground.

WW2: Eiffel Tower's lift cables were cut so that Hitler would have to climb the steps to the top