Brennt Paris?

book by Choltitz

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July 16, 2026

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The book Brennt Paris? (1951), meaning "Does Paris Burn?", was written by Dietrich von Choltitz. Choltitz was the last German commander of Nazi-occupied Paris during World War II. His orders from Adolf Hitler were to destroy the city's infrastructure before the approaching Allied forces could capture it. However, Choltitz disobeyed these orders, recognizing their barbarity and military futility. Instead, he negotiated a truce with French Resistance forces and surrendered Paris to the Allies on August 25, 1944, leaving the city largely undamaged. Choltitz wrote his book to defend his actions and his disobedience of Hitler. The book served as the basis for the popular work Is Paris Burning?.12

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Dietrich von Choltitz
…officers, he wrote a book, Brennt Paris? (1951), in which he defended his disobedience of a leader who, he felt, had gone mad. His book was the principal source for a best-selling popularization, Is Paris Burning? (1965), by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre.
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…officers, he wrote a book, Brennt Paris? (1951), in which he defended his disobedience of a leader who, he felt, had gone mad. His book was the principal source for a best-selling popularization, Is Paris Burning? (1965), by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre.
Read More