On September 1, 1939, Germany launched a battle to strike Poland, and the Second World War broke out. Under the iron hooves of the Germans, Poland quickly surrendered. On May 10, 1940, Germany began a large-scale attack on France, Belgium, the Netherlands and other countries. In front of the German mechanized forces, the French army could not hold on for long. On June 14, the German army entered Paris, and the French government quickly collapsed. On June 21, the newly formed Vichy French government proposed a truce to Germany, and France was completely defeated. On June 23, the day after France surrendered, Hitler arrived in Paris. What did
, a war madman who loves art and painting, do in Paris? Let's sort it out carefully today.
Hitler had never been to Paris before. This was the first and last time in his life.
Hitler arrived in Paris by plane, about 5:30 in the morning. After getting off the plane, a group of people came to Notre Dame in Paris in a luxury Mercedes Benz. This time he came to Paris, his actions were more private, mainly to visit the buildings in Paris and appreciate art. He only brought a few consultants, a team of guards and two artists he admired most. The two artists were the famous architect and later Minister of Equipment Albert Speer and the sculptor Arnault Breckel.
Hitler admired Notre Dame de Paris, and he had carefully studied this ancient and great building in his youth. When the group of them arrived at Notre-Dame Cathedral, Hitler was very proud to tell people around him that although he had never been here, he was very familiar with the building. So he became a temporary tour guide for the people around him, enthusiastically explaining the history and artistic features of this building. As he walked, he suddenly stopped and said that a room had disappeared here. The staff hurriedly explained that the house was blocked by a wall during maintenance.
Hearing the explanation from the staff, Hitler proudly said: "Look, how familiar I am here."
Then they came to the Eiffel Tower. In front of this famous building, he was with the people around him. Take a photo. This photo has also become one of the most famous photos in the world.
Immediately afterwards, Hitler and his party came to the Invalides in Paris. In front of Napoleon's tomb, Hitler stared at Napoleon's coffin for a long time. Then he said to the people around him: "This is the best moment of my life."
The people around him didn't speak. It's probably hard for them to appreciate the joy of this madman at this moment!
Hitler's time in Paris was only three short hours. The last stop is the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Paris. At nine o'clock in the morning, Hitler left here and went directly to the airport. He has never returned to Paris since. When
visited, someone once proposed to hold a victory parade in Paris. Hitler firmly opposed this. He said that the parade might be subject to British airstrikes. However, he later said to those around him: "I am not in the mood to participate in the victory parade. We are not yet at the end."
Yes, it is not to the end. After the defeat of France, de Gaulle has been organizing resistance in the government in exile that should be formed. The surrender of France in 1940 was Hitler's highlight moment. As he said, "This is the best moment of my life."
text/Feng Xuanyi, picture from the network
