Paris, 14 June 1940

Paris - Arc de Triomphe and Palais des Tuileries / © I.A. Daglis     

German troops marched into Paris in the early hours of this morning as French and allied forces retreated.
The enemy met no resistance as it entered the capital, which was declared an open town yesterday by the city's French military governor, General Hering.
French troops withdrew to avoid a violent battle and total destruction of Paris. They are believed to have taken a new line of defence south of the city.
The Germans advanced from the north-east and north-west and shortly afterwards tanks rumbled past the Arc de Triomphe down the Champs Elysees to the Place de la Concorde.
BBC, 14 June 1940