The Liberation of Strasbourg 1944

The occupation and liberation of Strasbourg was described by de Gaulle as one of the most brilliant episodes in our military history, yet is overshadowed outside France by the Battle of the Bulge. Frances equivalent to Douglas MacArthurs oath I shall return, General Philippe Leclercs Oath of Kufra, not to lay down our arms until our colours, our beautiful colours, fly over Strasbourg Cathedral, guided his celebrated 2nd Armoured Division across France from Normandy to the Rhine, until in November 1944 he recaptured Strasbourg in a daring feat of arms. Strasbourg was menaced as soon as it was liberated, as Hitler sought in the wake of the Ardennes Offensive to recapture this coveted trophy. SHAEF was on the verge of abandoning the city to Nazi vengeance until an eleventh-hour meeting between de Gaulle, Churchill and Eisenhower reversed the decision and sent French and American forces to defend it. The defenders including recruits from Frances colonies sacrificed themselves heroically. After this bloody victory, Strasbourgs liberators and defenders crossed the Rhine to occupy Germany, sharing honours with 101st Airbornes Band of Brothers in Hagenau and the Eagles Nest. The author explores the history behind the Franco-German rivalry over this polyglot city, its loss, its insanely unbalanced Nazi occupation, its liberation by the Free French forces, and its defence against Hitlers vengeance. It also looks at the neglected contribution of Frances multi-ethnic colonial soldiers to the salvation of the city and the country, and Strasbourgs modern role as an icon of restored European harmony and unity. See more