The liberation of Nice took place on August 28, 1944, following an armed insurrection decided by the Resistance. The insurgents were only about a hundred at the beginning of the day on August 28, but the scale the uprising took by the end of the day prompted the German occupiers to evacuate the city. The Allies were not aware of the insurrection and therefore did not aid the insurgents. Warned by the Resistance, a few American soldiers arrived from Saint-Laurent-du-Var on the evening of August 29. An American armored column finally arrived on August 30, 1944. Nice was definitively liberated.
The estimate provided by historians varies between 27 and 37 killed or fatally wounded and 280 injured is the toll for the Resistance’s victims.
In a speech delivered on April 9, 1945, at Place Masséna in Nice, General de Gaulle mentioned the liberation of the city in these terms:
“Nice, on August 28, 1944, through the heroic sacrifice of its children, freed itself from the occupier. (…) Nice liberated, Nice proud, Nice glorious!”
On the occasion of the 75th anniversary celebration of its Liberation by the allied forces, a commemorative program is planned throughout the day.
It will begin with the Circuit of Memory, starting at 2 Boulevard de Cessole and ending at the Town Hall.
On August 28, 1944, the day of the Liberation of Nice, 34 citizens of Nice fell under enemy fire, and 280 were wounded in fierce street fighting. A tribute is paid to them around the plaques of these heroic men.
A new plaque in homage to the resistance fighter Robert Petitnicolas at 9 Rue de la Liberté.
From 10 a.m., enthusiastic collectors from the MVCG Sud-Est Côte d’Azur association will offer an exceptional parade of 80 vehicles, including a 30-ton tank and other Jeeps, Dodges, GMCs, “Jimmys,” armored cars, and vehicles that will delight both young and old.
An exhibition of military vehicles is planned at Place Masséna, before a parade in the late afternoon to the War Memorial of Rauba Capeu.
The official ceremony, attended by civil and military authorities and veterans’ associations, will take place at 6 p.m. at the War Memorial of Rauba Capeu.
