80 Years of Liberation: Strasbourg’s Momentous History
Ah, Strasbourg! The city famous for its stunning cathedral, delectable sausages, and a history that is more twisted than thinly sliced ham! On November 23, 2024, France will be pulling out all the stops to celebrate the 80 years of the Liberation of Strasbourg by General Leclerc’s 2nd armored division (2nd DB) and their allied pals. Emmanuel Macron will be there, probably trying his hand at a bit of oratory flair—as if he were addressing a room of disgruntled voters!
Now, let’s not get too carried away. Liberating Strasbourg in 1944 didn’t mean Alsace was fully liberated; after all, the Colmar pocket didn’t give up until February 1945! So, while the French soldiers had a fancy celebration, a lot of the fighting was still simmering, like a pot of ratatouille left on too long—smell the chaos? Oh la la!
Strasbourg and Its Cathedral: The Oath of Koufra
You see, it all began in March 1941 during the capture of Koufra in the Libyan desert, where General Leclerc made a promise that sounds suspiciously like a French version of a reality show: “Swear to lay down your arms only on the day when our colors, our beautiful colors, will float over Strasbourg Cathedral.” Quite the cliffhanger, right?!
And why Strasbourg? Because it’s been playing musical chairs with Germany since 1870! As the army historian Lieutenant-Colonel Jean Bourcart puts it, “the symbolic significance of Strasbourg in the history of France and in particular in military history is very strong.” Basically, it’s like the premium real estate of military strategy—everyone wants to claim it, but the mortgage is a nightmare!
With the Normandy landings in August 1944, Leclerc was in the mood for another dramatic entrance! He had American backers who wanted to move towards Germany’s Ruhr region, and he had his sights set on Strasbourg. Talk about ambition! You’ve got to admire his determination—like a cat eyeing the fishbowl even when the lid’s firmly on.
“Fabric is in Iodine”: The French Crash the Party
Fast forward to November 1944. The 1st Army, led by General de Lattre de Tassigny, was busy liberating Mulhouse—because who wouldn’t want to snack on one liberating city while eyeing the prize, Strasbourg? Leclerc’s troops were maneuvering their way through forests like they were sneaking backstage at a concert. And let me tell you, that’s a lot braver than most of us would be in that weather!
On the fateful day, November 23, 1944, under the cover of surprise—and probably a fair bit of luck—Leclerc’s soldiers rolled into Strasbourg. And what did one of the colonels excitedly announce? “Tissue is in iodine!” I mean, who knew tanks could have such a flair for the dramatic?
Come afternoon, our hero Maurice Lebrun was scaling the cathedral, waving a flag crafted from a butcher’s apron, a bedsheet, and a Nazi flag. Now that sounds like an upcycled craft project gone militant! This, my friends, is how you libérer and recycle all at once!
Not Quite the End of the Drama
But hold your horses! Just because Strasbourg was liberated doesn’t mean the fun was over. The Nazi counterattack, dubbed Operation Nordwind, threatened to ruin the party with a surprise encore. Lieutenant-Colonel Bourcart comments, “Strasbourg could very well have been taken over by the Germans between November ’44 and March ’45.” Who knew liberation came with a side of impending doom?
Even after May 1945, the drama didn’t stop rolling. Many Alsatians were not only caught up in the wartime confusion; they were also forced to wear German uniforms and fight. It’s like wearing a costume to a party you didn’t want to attend in the first place—awkward and tragic!
Reflections on Liberation
So, going back to Gérard Michel, whose grandfather had to wear that dreaded uniform. He might be the poster child of mixed emotions. November 23 is celebrated, and yet the ghosts of the past hover, reminding us that not every tale of liberation is filled with champagne and confetti.
The 80th anniversary of Strasbourg’s liberation isn’t just another date on a calendar; it’s a reminder of resilience, bravery, and perhaps the bittersweet taste of history. So, grab your flags, wave them proudly, and let’s not only celebrate the liberation but also reflect on those who had to navigate its murky waters!
For further exploration, visit Mira for videos and witness accounts of this crucial chapter in history!
On November 23, 2024, France will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of Strasbourg by the 2nd armored division (2nd DB) under the command of General Philippe Leclerc, along with the bravery of allied troops. This historic ceremony will be presided over by President Emmanuel Macron, marking a significant high point in a series of national tributes that commenced earlier in June with the observance of the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings.
While the Liberation of Strasbourg on November 23, 1944, was a monumental event, it did not equate to the liberation of Alsace as a whole; the region would remain contested until the fall of the Colmar pocket in February 1945. Moreover, the final stronghold of German forces, Saint-Nazaire, was not liberated until May 1945. Nevertheless, the act of freeing Strasbourg from Nazi occupation, executed by French soldiers, served as a crucial symbolic goal for General Charles de Gaulle, the leader of Free France, reinforcing national pride and unity.
Strasbourg and its cathedral, at the heart of the Oath of Koufra
The symbolic significance of Strasbourg’s liberation had its roots in the dramatic events of March 1941, during the capture of Koufra, a remote fort located in the Libyan desert controlled by Italian forces. General Leclerc, acting on the orders of de Gaulle, recorded a historic triumph for Free France and inspired his men with an oath that resonated through the annals of history: “Swear to lay down your arms only on the day when our colors, our beautiful colors, will float over Strasbourg Cathedral.”
Throughout the period of German occupation from 1870 to 1918, followed by the Nazi annexation, the city of Strasbourg has held immense symbolic weight in the historical and military narrative of France, as articulated by Lieutenant-Colonel Jean Bourcart, a distinguished military historian. “Leclerc comes from a training class at Saint-Cyr that honors Metz and Strasbourg as namesakes,” he notes, emphasizing the historical ties wielded by the city within the broader military heritage of France.
In August 1944, Leclerc spearheaded the 2nd DB’s landing in Normandy, operating under American command. He orchestrated the French forces’ entry into Paris and was eager to replicate this accomplishment in Strasbourg. Given the city’s strategic proximity to the Rhine and the German border, the liberation of the Alsatian capital would be a potent rallying call against the German forces. Lieutenant-Colonel Bourcart elaborates that “every possible strategy or maneuver was utilized to either secure the support of the Allies or compel their involvement,” illustrating the urgency and complexity of military operations during this phase. The American agenda focused primarily on advancing towards the Ruhr area, the industrial epicenter of Germany, yet Leclerc’s bold commitment to liberate Strasbourg was unwavering.
“Fabric is in iodine”: the French take Strasbourg
As the operation commenced in November 1944, the campaign for Alsace gained momentum. The 1st Army, commanded by General Jean de Lattre de Tassigny, began its southern advance, liberating Mulhouse on November 21 before the 2nd DB and American forces pushed in from the north. In a tactical move, Leclerc opted for uncharted forest paths, avoiding heavily fortified routes, maneuvering through challenging weather conditions and exemplifying what Lieutenant-Colonel Bourcart described as a “poker move.”
By November 22, the 2nd DB had positioned itself at the gates of Strasbourg. The following day, on November 23, four columns of armored vehicles surged into the city through distinct entry points. Leclerc’s troops benefitted significantly from the local knowledge possessed by certain officers who had previously been stationed in Strasbourg, along with crucial intelligence provided by Alsatian civilians.
The lieutenant colonel Rouvillois from the 12th Cuirassier Regiment received critical information from an Alsatian member of the FFI (French Interior Forces) about routes leading into Strasbourg. This intelligence enabled him to return with his tanks, making a decisive approach from the north. By approximately 10:30 a.m., he had entered the heart of Strasbourg, signaling the momentous arrival with the phrase “Tissue is in iodine.” Leclerc’s forces had successfully reached Strasbourg.
In the afternoon hours of the same day, Maurice Lebrun, a member of the 1st Moroccan spahis marching regiment, ascended the towering spire of the cathedral, exceeding 140 meters in height, to hoist the French tricolor flag. This flag was ingeniously crafted from a blue apron, white sheet, and remnants of a red Nazi flag provided by Emilienne Lorentz, a local butcher. The cross of Lorraine, the emblem of Free France, proudly adorned the flag’s white field.
The Germans were caught off-guard by the swift advance of the French forces, as Lieutenant-Colonel Bourcart observes: “The local general staff had little confidence in the execution speed of the Allied troops. Although they were aware of the enemies positioned across the Vosges, they hadn’t anticipated their rapid approach to Strasbourg.” Despite the unexpected element of surprise, fierce clashes erupted, particularly in the old forts encompassing Strasbourg, resulting in casualties on both sides. Among those lost was quartermaster Albert Zimmer, an Alsatian soldier of the 2nd DB, who perished in the line of duty during an assault carried out aboard the Cherbourg tank, just moments from his hometown of La Wantzenau.
By November 25, the German garrison capitulated at Fort Ney. On November 26, General Leclerc himself presided over a ceremonial taking of arms at Place Kléber, where jubilation filled the air. The Oath of Koufra had been fulfilled, and Leclerc’s promises had become a reality.
November 1944 marked a significant turning point, but it was not the complete liberation of Alsace—a fact underscored by Lieutenant-Colonel Bourcart and reiterated by the ongoing tensions and skirmishes that followed. The 2nd DB pressed forward to engage in fierce combat within the Colmar pocket. Additional violent confrontations occurred near Erstein and Sélestat, south of Strasbourg, emphasizing the region’s perilous situation.
The onset of December brought about a renewed wave of German aggression with Operation Nordwind, a counteroffensive that posed a direct threat to Strasbourg. “Strasbourg and other villages in northern Alsace faced the very real possibility of being recaptured by German forces between November 1944 and March 1945,” remarked the military historian, reflecting the dire circumstances that persisted. General de Lattre and the 1st Army played an integral role in securing the defense of Enstrasbourg and surrounding communities, coordinating efforts with American troops to stave off further incursions. By late January, Strasbourg was definitively secured. It was not until March 20, 1945, that Alsace experienced its full liberation.
Not only did the liberation of Strasbourg not constitute the resurgence of freedom for the entire French territory, but it also coincided with a complicated aftermath, particularly for many Alsatians who faced forced conscription into German military service. Across the region, approximately 130,000 Alsatians and Mosellans were conscripted to fight under German uniforms, and many perished or went missing, creating a poignant and turbulent legacy. “Many will continue to bear the weight of grief and concern long after the restoration of freedom for all of France and the entirety of Alsace,” recounted the army historian.
This painful narrative is embodied in the story of Gérard Michel, the son and grandson of the Despite-Nous community—a term describing those Alsatians who resisted Nazi rule. He was born just weeks following the liberation of Strasbourg. His grandfather, a café owner in Schiltigheim, was compelled to wear a German police uniform. “On November 23, 1944,” Gérard recalls, “he went to the police station when he encountered a German colleague who warned him that ‘the Americans are coming.’ He hastily returned to Schiltigheim, where jubilant friends were celebrating in the bistro. He burned his uniform and shouted, ‘general tour!’”
However, the shadows of liberation loom over personal histories, as Gérard’s father was among the last conscripted individuals, forcibly drafted to serve in Weimar—a service from which he never returned. “The lead fell on Alsace quite quickly after the first turmoil,” Gérard reflects, his voice layered with emotion.
To go further:
- See: the site Mira (Memory of reanimated images of Alsace) which collects and publishes videos of witnesses who filmed the war and the Liberation. Many events are organized to mark the 80th anniversary.
- Listen: the program “Gone with History,” dedicated to Oath of Koufra
- Listen: the podcast “The Cavalry of General Leclerc” eight episodes, one of which relates the Liberation of Strasbourg.
How did the liberation of Strasbourg challenge the community’s sense of identity and reconciliation with its wartime past?
Where he dismantled his café’s German insignia and hid any traces of his forced compliance with the occupying regime.” Gérard’s story reflects the deep scars left on individual lives by the war and the complexity of liberation, where freedom was not just a political state but a personal and societal struggle.
As the war drew to a close, the legacy of these events remained embedded in the collective memory of the Alsatian people. The liberation of Strasbourg was celebrated, but it also ushered in a period of reckoning with the painful past of collaboration and conscription. The struggle did not end with the arrival of French troops; it continued as communities grappled with the consequences of divided loyalties and loss during the years of occupation.
The liberation of Strasbourg on November 26, 1944, thus stands as a pivotal moment in the narrative of World War II, symbolizing not only military success but the broader themes of resilience, national identity, and the complexities of post-war reconciliation in the face of historical trauma. The city became a symbol of hope and renewal—a place where the ideals of the French resistance were realized, even as its inhabitants contended with the emotional and psychological legacies of war long after the guns had fallen silent.