Utilized by Germany against France in 1918, the Paris Gun measured over 111 feet long and weighed 256 tons. Its impressive capabilities allowed it to fire a 234-pound shell 81 miles, reaching an ...

Paris, 1940: Germany Invades France. ... just five weeks to the day after the German invasion of the Low Countries and the beginning of "real" warfare against the British and French.

The division was at the city door of Paris when Eisenhower relented and ordered the French 2nd Armored Division to be the first Allied unit to enter Paris on Aug. 25, 1944.