How Paris Resistance Forces Planned Liberation

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 205, 30 August 1944, Page 5

How Paris Resistance Forces Planned Liberation

CITY FORMALLY PUT BACK .. .. UNDER FRENCH CONTROL Received Tuesday, 8.65 pun. LONDON, Aug. 29. Mopping-up continues in Paris with sporadic fighting particularly in the eastern outskirts, according to Shaef. The secret underground headquarters of the Paris resistance movement from which the last fortnight’s resistance fighting against the Germans was directed is described by the Daily Telegraph’s Paris correspondent. He was led in through the basement of a public building through an iron hatchway down 100 feet of slimy stone stairs to a huge shelter in which were telephones, staff officers, typists and orderlies. Exit could be made through 1100 yards of the old Paris sewer to a boulevarde. It was a scene of the greatest activity but the Germans never penetrated this secret hideout. The German News Agency says til* German Foreign Office has lodged a protest with the United States alleging that German prisoners were used as a screen for American tanks attacking St. Malo. Paris was formally put back under the control of the French authorities at a small ceremony in General Koenig’s office on Monday, says Reuter’s correspondent in Paris, The American general, who explained that the procedure had been determined some time ago in Loudon, said be on behalf of the higher Allied authorities had been instructed to put Paris under French control as Boon as he felt it militarily secure. The general handed General Koenig a note confirming the transfer.. The French henceforward will control the police, fire departments and post office, but in the event of a military emergency Allied officers will re-assume command. Following the liberation of Paris R.A.F. air information pilots started a press delivery service. Using Hurricanes the pilots fly into Paris twice daily to collect press despatches for delivery to London.