Charles de Gaulle Decorates Americans
1945
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This segment of a United News Newsreel shows General de Gaulle decorates French and U.S. soldiers, including Generals Devers and Patch, in celebration of the triumph at Colmar.
Transcript
DE GAULLE DECORATES AMERICANSNARRATOR: Alsace welcomes General de Gaulle in celebration of the great triumph at Colmar.
As the fighting French of the 1st Army jab the Wehrmacht back into Germany, at Strasbourg the people gather in their war-torn cathedral.
Generals de Tassigny, Juin, and LeClerc are here for the victory services.
French armor pummeled Nazi fortresses in the Vosges hills and French soldiers tore Rundstedt's legions to tatters. Hailed by General Eisenhower, they are decorated now by their leader.
From now on, heroes of Strasbourg and Colmar will fight on German soil.
At Saverne, the nation honors its American allies fighting shoulder to shoulder with the French.
General Alexander Patch of the 7th Army becomes a Commander of the Legion of Honor. The Grand Officer Award goes to the Commander of the 6th Army group, General Jacob Devers.
Once again, France and America beat back the ruthless hordes from over the Rhine, and once again, fighting Frenchmen march through a free Alsace.
This primary source comes from the Records of the Office of War Information.
National Archives Identifier: 39158
Full Citation: Motion Picture 208-UN-1041; Charles de Gaulle Decorates Americans ; 1945; Motion Picture Films from "United News" Newsreels, 1942 - 1945; Records of the Office of War Information, Record Group 208; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/charles-de-gaulle-decorates-americans, December 11, 2024]Rights: Copyright Not Evaluated Learn more on our privacy and legal page.