LONDON: Paris is liberated. Her own people have risen against the Germans and seized the city from within. The honour of announcing this unique victory fell to 46 year old General Joseph Koening, Commander of the French Forces of the Interior and newly appointed military Governor of Paris. He issued the special Communique today [Aug 23], which it is understood was first broadcast from Paris itself, fittingly relayed to the World by the Radio of the exiled French capital, Algiers. The communiqué told how the heroic citizens of Paris overthrew the German occupiers and their Vichyite collaborators after 4 days of battle.

The French Forces of the Interior 50,000 strong armed and supported by several thousand Patriots not armed went into action. The Paris Police, which had previously gone on a strike took over the Prefecture of Police and the city island of Paris, the administrative part of the town, was turned into a bastion before which the German attacks broke down. Yesterday August 22 after 4 days of fighting the enemy was beaten everywhere. Patriots have occupied all public buildings. Representatives of Vichy have been arrested or have taken flight. Thus the people of Paris have taken a decisive part in the liberation of the Capital.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2019