The most famous division in the Free French Forces during World War Ii was the 2ème Division Blindée (2 DB), commanded by the legendary General Philippe de Hautcloque under his nom de guerre" Leclerc." While his command was given that designation only in 1943, its original nucleus - the "Leclerc Column" - had already been fighting in Africa since Leclerc rallied a few hundred volunteers to General de Gaulle's banner in August 1940. In July 1944 these desert veterans led the enlarged and better equipped 2 Db to Normandy for the breakout battle fought by Patton's Third Army. In late August the division liberated Paris, trading shells with German Panzers in the central boulevards; in September it won a remarkable tank battle in Lorraine; and in November it infiltrated through the Vosges hills to liberate Strasbourg on France's eastern border. The last days of the war found the division's forward elements at Berchtesgaden, Hitler's mountain refuge. This book recounts the story all the way from Leclerc's escape to London in 1940 to his signing of Japan's surrender document on behalf of France in 1945. It is illustrated with rare photographs, and with eight new plates of color artwork detailing AFV markings, uniforms, and insignia. Book jacket.