Sieg im Westen: On 14 June 1940, five weeks after the beginning of the campaign in the West, the German Army entered Paris for the first time since 1870. The French government requested an armistice just one week later, and with the seeming conclusion of peace on the continent, Hitler opened secret but ultimately abortive negotiations with the British to end the war entirely. Though they understandably celebrated their incredible victory and were elated by it, the Germans harbored no illusions about their Gallic opponents, and they honored the defeated French as a valiant foe deserving of respect. Saluting German officers soon appeared at the tomb of Frances Unknown Soldier beneath the Arc de Triomphe, and General Keitel, when welcoming the French Armistice negotiators at Compiègne, opened the proceedings with a moment of silence for the fallen heroes of both sides. One cant help but notice the contrast between Keitels demeanor and that of General Dwight D. Eisenhower at Rheims on 7 May 1945, when the Supreme Allied Commander coldly addressed General Jodl and pointedly refused to shake hands with him after the latter had signed Germanys capitulation in the West.
Posted on: Sat, 14 Jun 2014 18:43:29 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015