Paris held commemorations to mark the 82nd anniversary [1] of its liberation from Nazi occupation with the unveiling of a new commemorative garden [1, 2].
The events honor the members of 'La Nueve,' a company within the French 2nd Armored Division composed primarily of Spanish Republican veterans. These soldiers were among the first Allied forces to enter the city during the liberation in 1944 [1, 3].
The centerpiece of the commemorations was the inauguration of the Garden of the Combatants of La Nueve [1, 2]. This space serves as a permanent tribute to the Spanish soldiers who fought to free the French capital from German control. The ceremony included members of the division and Spanish State Secretary for Democratic Memory Fernando Martínez López [1, 2].
Spanish Republican soldiers had previously fled to France following the defeat of the Republic in the Spanish Civil War. By joining the French army, they sought to continue the fight against fascism across Europe [1, 2]. Their role in the liberation of Paris is a significant point of shared history between France and Spain.
Beyond the events in Paris, the legacy of the unit has been highlighted in Spain. An exhibition dedicated to the soldiers of La Nueve was held in the Jardines del Campo del Moro in Madrid [3]. According to reports, this exhibition remained open until June 2026 [3].
The commemorations took place on Aug. 24, 2026 [1, 3], exactly 82 years after the original liberation of the city [1]. The events focused on preserving the memory of the Spanish contribution to the Allied victory in Western Europe [1, 2].
“Paris held commemorations to mark the 82nd anniversary of its liberation from Nazi occupation.”
The recognition of 'La Nueve' represents a broader effort by the Spanish government and French authorities to integrate the history of the Spanish Republican exile into the official narrative of World War II. By establishing permanent memorials like the Garden of the Combatants, the two nations acknowledge that the fight against fascism was a transnational effort involving displaced political refugees who fought for a country other than their own.
