Why? The French fought in the Second World since September 39 th, when Hitler and Stalin invaded Poland.
Unsuccessful, though, the French fought the war but there were not as Cannibal in the East three years later.
The French have all saved: and Notre Dame is and Rheims Cathedral, Versailles is not spoiled ... Yes, and people alive. Reproach them for it? Army surrendered. Or rather, part of the army.
There was also a "Free French Forces, headed by General de Gaulle.

France surrendered to Hitler after breaking the line Mozhin. It would be and could not fight - do not need anyone there. See what l.Mozhino built - is on the Internet.

In Odessa, on the Walk of Fame in the park to them. TG Shevchenko few hours ago.

I came to the Alley of Glory relatively late, when the ceremonial part was already over. I do not know under what flag parades, but as you all can see, at a time when I photographed at the monument of Unknown Soldier was only one flag - the Russian one.
Just noticed that my 1000e message - what a nice coincidence - Victory Day I became Guru !:)

Live photos
 

At OCE (formerly, VDNH) rasskrasili old aircraft before the holiday on May 9. On one side of the aircraft shows the heroism of soldiers, on the other side - rear workers. Like the USSR no longer exists, and the style is quite the time. Too formal. Interestingly, an initiative of the authors? Or those who directed the "top"? However, surrounded by pavilions VDNH it looks quite organically.

I find myself thinking that in our time Victory Day celebrated much more strongly and more mentally than in Soviet times. No one is forcing you to strap on a car or on clothing Gergiev ribbon - you yourself frantically searching for, where it can get. Personally, I took on the case of five pieces on the gas station. And once one had to give the saleswoman at the supermarket - it has no cars, so it was difficult to get to the gas station.

A lot of people on May 9 was in army caps - mostly young people. Some, as they could, cheerfully yelled songs of the war. As my wife said, well, that young people know the words.

Live photos
 

A great summer day was yesterday, May 9! Temperature +27 +28 degrees in the shade. Moscow, empty of cars, without "caps" and the fuss. Center within the Boulevard Ring is open even on the not numerous transport, which can be seen that day on the streets. Moscow pictures looked like footage from the sci-fi movie, is so absurd to see a completely free way!

Huge steps have been taken by the police. Not interfering with people celebrating, the focus they give to public safety. I am easily missed in the center on a bike. But the Major went and talked to him no matter what, shooting eye in the trunk, while I was putting back his helmet. Not noticing a motokofre anything interesting or dangerous, he immediately turned his attention to other events.

But in 20 hours 30 minutes on Poklonnaya Hill, where thousands of people gathered in anticipation of fireworks, instantly a storm. Quickly came the clouds, wind, thunder and lightning simulated long-awaited fireworks started downpour. As if nature itself has reminded us that in this day the crash occurred at the mine Raspadskaya in the Kemerovo region, killing dozens of people.
Look at my photos. Most people wait, as they could, these half-hour downpour. By the time the fireworks started the rain stopped.

Live photos
 

In conclusion, report from Poklonnaya Hill - live photos salute. Sorry, they are very poor quality. I drained the battery in the camera, so I had to periodically shut down fotoapppart and wait a few minutes until the battery "rest". Then managed to make a few more shots. Therefore, I did not control frames, and the camera shot that he had turned out on its last legs.

My photos absolutely can not compete with professional narratives television. I did not pursue such a goal. It is simply a "live" pictures of the witness.

PS

I was pleased with a consumer point of yesterday's holiday. While the abundance of people that walked in the VVC (VDNH), in the center of Moscow or on Poklonnaya Hill, it was very clean. Even close to many points of catering. Comparing the clean streets of Moscow on Victory Day, I can only rejoice when comparing our city with Paris, Rome or Vienna. Compared to the Soviet era or the beginning of the 90's can only rejoice. At Poklonnaya Hill, for example, in online mode work crews cleaners. But do not tell that they were a lot of work. Do not compare to the same day in Rome on May 1, when the area littered with piles of debris, and in some places in the city center could not breathe normally because of the foul-smelling fumes. I am writing in opposition to some of our compatriots who are so fond of indiscriminately criticize all local, as opposed to grace the West. Nor were they that if a major European cities?

PPS

I remember my shock of clean streets of Kiev, when I first visited in 1989. In the city center - sterile cleanliness! No cigarette butts or matches there on the sidewalks. Perhaps my idea of clean is too weak in comparison with the Ukrainian cities. So I repeat that I compare today's Moscow with European cities.

The parade and fireworks display I've seen 22 th floor.

It seems to be a holiday has passed ... but I would like to recall the theme of my countrymen, young heroes, the children murdered by the Nazi henchmen ... On the underground "Young Guard" youngest was 14 ...
 monument to the underground in Krasnodon, near the school where they learned ...

Par And, a great picture! Thanks ...

From the personal archive?