Special Exhibit: Liberation of Paris
May 6 @ 11:00 am - May 27 @ 11:00 am
Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum in Carrabelle is presenting an exhibit on the Liberation of Paris during World War II. This exhibit will open on Tuesday, May 6 and be on display at the museum until Saturday, May 31. The museum is open every Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm. There is no charge for admission, but donations are gladly accepted.
The exhibit will present the military and civilian efforts that led to the liberation of Paris on August 25, 1944, after four years of German occupation. The liberation was a turning point in World War II, involving the strategic efforts of the Allied Forces, Free French forces, and the French Resistance. As Allied troops advanced through France following the D-Day invasion, the citizens of Paris, led by resistance fighters, initiated an uprising against the occupying German forces. The Allies initially did not consider Paris to be a priority at first, but the push by the French, who felt the need for this symbolic city to be cleared of Germans, changed their mind.
Supreme Allied Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower ordered the intervention of the Free French 2nd Armored Division, led by General Philippe Leclerc, alongside the U.S. 4th Infantry Division. After intense fighting and the strategic surrender of German forces under General Dietrich von Choltitz, Paris was officially freed on August 25, 1944.
The exhibit features compelling historical photographs and firsthand accounts from soldiers in the U.S. 4th Infantry Division – one of the first American units to enter Paris. Known as the “Ivy Division,” the 4th played a crucial role in the D-Day landings at Utah Beach and the subsequent campaign across Nazi-occupied France. Their dramatic entry into Paris along with the French 2nd Armored Division marked a defining moment in the war. The 4th Infantry were trained in amphibious assault at Camp Gordon Johnston. This preparation proved vital throughout their combat operations.
Visitors to the exhibit will gain insight into the soldiers’ experiences and the broader significance of their actions, from their training at Camp Gordon Johnston to their role in liberating one of Europe’s most iconic cities.
Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum is located in Carrabelle, directly across from Carrabelle Public Beach Park at 1873 Hwy 98 West. For more information, contact the museum at (850) 697-8575 or museum@campgordonjohnston.com. Funded in part by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council.
Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum
1873 Hwy 98 West
Carrabelle, FL 32322 + Google Map
(850) 697-8575