U.S. Signal Corps - American Soldiers during the Liberation of Paris

This powerful image was captured on August 25, 1944, during the Liberation of Paris. It shows American soldiers amidst the tense aftermath of German resistance. While Paris erupted in celebration due to their victory, German snipers who had stayed behind opened fire on the crowded streets. American troops were quickly deployed, engaging in a rapid effort to neutralize the snipers without harming the civilians fleeing for safety.

In the photograph, an American soldier takes aim with a rifle, concentrating intently on his target, while others stand ready nearby, showcasing the urgency and danger of the moment. A civilian in formal attire stands alongside the soldiers, likely a French ally or observer of the unfolding situation. Military vehicles in the background, including a truck bearing the word "Londres" (London), remind us of the Allied effort to free Europe from Nazi control.

Paper size: 36.5cm x 28.5cm
Medium: Gelatin silver print
Dates: Photographed 1944 and printed c1940s
Photograph certified as passed by U.S. Field Censor