French 2nd Armored Division Fights near Paris - August 1944 [ WWII Documentary ]

[@stephenbudd3771]

Incredible quality footage. Thanks so much for posting.

[@CDeBeaulieu]

I recognised one of the places I knew as Chateaufort on the road to Versailles from the south. This road passed near two airfields: one at a place called Buc ( which the RAF subsequently used) and the other called Toussou le Noble which is now a civilian GA airport. Troops would have met entrenched German resistance at both places... hence the damage seen on the film clips.

[@Velocifred]

Toussus le Noble... I was thinking about the same place, known as the "Plateau of saclay". I have been living nearby

[@CDeBeaulieu]

@@Velocifred and of course Satory is only about 3 miles away (as the crow flies).. . I think that was what some of the guns were shooting at.

[@markpaul-ym5wg]

Great footage of armor and infantry in combat.Thanks.😊

[@jeangabrielkahane2961]

By the road signs, it seems these images were shot between Chateaufort & Villiers le Bâcle, about 3 kms away from the place I live in.

[@Pakal77]

"Seine et Oise" = actuel département des Yvelines ?

[@LookinThePastWarArchives]

That's amazing actually. I should do a trip there to explore the area, and compare

[@jeangabrielkahane2961]

@@Pakal77 la Seine et Oise a été démembrée en Yvelines et Essonne. Châteaufort et Villiers le Bâcle sont à la limite de ces deux départements

[@jeangabrielkahane2961]

These places are 30km away from Paris and not far from St Rémy les Chevreuse and Toussus le Noble. If you get there, please note that road#N838 has been re labelled D938

[@albertnalut426]

A 2.57, des automoteurs M7. Peut être parmi les artilleurs filmés, il y a t il mon oncle Jean Lavit, qui perdit ses deux jambes lors d'un tir de contre barrage allemand à Anglemont.

[@michaelhuron2900]

Super documentaire 👍👍

[@christiandomange2628]

My grand father was in that division

[@brianlinke1856]

"The Allies (US & UK) were tasked with returning France to 'great power status'. The British did not wish to be left on their own in post war Europe , 'alone with the Russian bear'. The fear was the US would pull back after the war, the British needed a another major power in Europe as a friend....France became the ally Britain would look too. Aware of his importance in recruiting French divisions, De Gaulle's terms for full cooperation with the allies included virtual autonomy for French forces under SHAEF, American aid, the prompt occupation of Paris and restoration of French sovereignty in military zones". From the book... 'Eisenhower At War, 1943-1945'.

[@peabase]

France wasted much of its re-acquired military capability on maintaining control over its colonies. That only served to weaken France and, by extension, the Western Allies.

[@brianlinke1856]

@@peabase Correct, French Indochina War, then the French Algeria War (nearly got De Gaulle killed by his own armed forces...OAS).

[@FrereAlain-dc3kl]

C'est peut être oublier l'amgot. Qui à pû être éviter grâce au général de Gaulle.

[@user-xc6fs1ps3s]

The 9th company of Leclerc's second armored division were exiled Spanish republican fighters, unfortunately they are given more recognition in France than in Spain 🤷