France and Spain are commemorating the 82nd anniversary of the liberation of Paris, led by the Spanish military unit known as La Nueve [4].
The anniversary highlights the role of Spanish exiles in the Allied victory during World War II. These soldiers, who fled their own country following the Spanish Civil War, fought to remove Nazi occupation from the French capital.
La Nueve, officially the ninth company of the third battalion of the Régiment de marche du Tchad, consisted of approximately 150 Spanish republicans [1]. The unit was part of General Leclerc's 2nd Armored Division. On Aug. 24, 1944, this company became the first allied military force to enter Paris [2].
Commemorations in 2026 include the Jardín de los Combatientes de La Nueve in Paris, a dedicated space honoring the fighters. In Spain, the contribution of these soldiers was recognized through an exhibition in the Jardines del Campo del Moro in Madrid [3].
The soldiers of La Nueve operated as a critical vanguard during the campaign to reclaim the city. Their entry into the capital marked a pivotal moment in the liberation of France from Nazi control. This legacy is preserved through the various monuments, and historical displays across both nations.
While the exhibition in Madrid concluded in June 2026 [3], the anniversary events in Paris continue to draw attention to the international nature of the resistance. The unit's history serves as a bridge between the struggles for democracy in Spain, and the fight against fascism in Europe.
“La Nueve was the first allied military force to enter Paris on Aug. 24, 1944.”
The recognition of La Nueve underscores the complex geopolitical history of the 1940s, where Spanish republicans—denied democracy at home—found a way to contribute to the liberation of Europe. By maintaining these memorials in both Paris and Madrid, France and Spain acknowledge a shared history of anti-fascist resistance that transcends national borders.
