Battle of France and surrendered Paris

Battle of France and surrendered Paris

This archive consists of over 150 negatives taken by an unknown German photographer who had participated in the «Battle of France» (May 10–June 25, 1940). All images were taken on German black and white 35mm Agfa Isopan F photographic film. The negatives were in good condition, even after more than 80 years from the date they were taken, and were stored in a cardboard film envelope.

The images show the rapid invasion of France by the Nazi German army: destroyed French tanks, dead and surrendering French soldiers, and the ruins of destructed cities. Among other things, the images show the everyday life of German soldiers: resting, eating, concentration of forces and movement of armed convoys. Some of the negatives were taken, apparently, from the back of a military vehicle. Several dozens of negatives are photographs from Paris, the capital of France, which was surrendered without a fight. Paris had a very important meaning for German soldiers - it was a symbol of Victory and indestructibility of the Reich. The photographer obviously had experience in photography, as the pictures are very skillfully framed and from the point of view of the captured moment - they are almost perfect. These photos from occupied Paris look like a French black and white movie. Visits to Versailles, Montmartre, the National Opera, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Place de la Concorde, the tomb of the unknown soldier of the First World War, meals in cafes and restaurants, and the diverse street life of the occupied capital of France. All of this footage is a valuable historical witness to wartime.

«Battle of France» or as it is otherwise called «The Six Weeks’ War» is a military operation of the Axis countries in Western Europe from May to June 1940, which led to the defeat of the French, Belgian and Dutch armed forces, as well as the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force in France, and ensured the domination of Europe by Germany and its allies. German troops on May 10, 1940 began an offensive against France, which had declared war on Germany on September 3, 1939 based on the invasion of Germany into Poland. The way of German forces to France passed through the lands of Belgium and the Netherlands, which were the first victims of the aggression. The German troops quickly captured them, and later, attacking through the Ardennes, defeated and forced to evacuate to the British Isles advanced to the aid of French troops and the British Expeditionary Corps.

On June 5, German troops (130 divisions of Army Group A and B) launched Operation «Fall Rot» (Case Red). Having broken the stubborn resistance of the French troops (71 divisions), the German troops penetrated deep into the country. As a result of the German offensive, using the tactics of blitzkrieg - lightning warfare, the Allied and French troops were defeated. On June 10, the French government left Paris for Bordeaux. On the same day, June 10, Italy declared war on France. On June 14, Paris was surrendered without a fight. The French government led by Marshal A. F. Pétain decided to capitulate to Germany, which was signed on June 22, 1940 in Compiègne (Compiègne Armistice), and on June 24 at the Villa Inchesa (near Rome) was signed the act of surrender of France to Italy. Most of France was occupied by Nazi German troops. Losses of French troops numbered 84 thousand killed and 1.5 million prisoners. German troops were lost about 44 thousand killed and missing and more than 111 thousand wounded.