On June 14 1940 Paris fell under German occupation. France, one of largest powers in Europe, had been defeated in less than seven weeks by the mighty German Wehrmacht. Although they fought with great courage the French forces could not stop Hitler’s army from taking the capital and continuing their advance across Europe.

The photograph shows German soldiers riding on horseback through Paris after it fell.

If you’d like to learn more about the Fall of Paris check out Campaign 3 – France 1940. Additional information about the French and German armies can be found in Men-at-Arms 315 – The French Army 1939-45 (1) and Men-at-Arms 311 – The German Army 1939-45 (1) respectively.