2019-07-08 Mon

On 25th August, La Poste of France is going to release a new 1.3 euro stamp to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Paris. The photo on the left shows American troops in an M8 Light Armoured Car driving under the Arc de Triomphe during the famous liberation march led by Free French General Charles de Gaulle, down the Champs d’Elysees on 26th August 1944. The photo on the right shows people waving flags of the Allied nations that was taken on 8th May 1945 at an event that was organised to celebrate the end of World War II in Europe.

The 60 millimetres by 25 millimetres stamp is designed by Sylvie Patte and Tanguy Besset. Photos from different sources were used to design it. 600,000 stamps in sheets of 40 and 30,000 souvenir sheets with a single stamp each will be released.

Germany captured Paris on 14th June 1940. The French 2nd Armoured Division and the United States 4th Infantry Division liberated Paris on 25th August 1944. Due to a weak German resistance, Adolf Hitler ordered Commander of the German garrison, General Dietrich von Choltitz, to destroy the landmarks of Paris before liberating it. However, the General refused to follow these orders and signed a formal surrender instead.

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Image Courtesy: La Poste