Why did Germany not destroy the Eiffel Tower during World War II?

Brent Cooper

On August 23rd, 1944, Hitler sent a message to Field Marshal Walther Model and von Choltitz demanding that Paris be held at all costs. Hitler said if Paris could not be held it should be turned into a field of ruins.

The Allies were rapidly advancing on Paris. Hitler’s position was if he could not enjoy Oaris, no one would.

Von Choltitz put the order in his pocket and showed it to no one else. Nor did he give orders to enforce it.

Von Choltitz learned later that Model’s headquarters had received the order from Hitler but did not pass it on. They did the same thing as he did. His staff had found it on the network and given it to him. Some Germans in France agreed with von Choltitz and Speidel that Paris should not become a field of ruins.