The Dietrich von Choltitz reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Jul-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Dietrich von Choltitz

General der Infanterie Dietrich von Choltitz (November 9, 1894, Schloss Wiese, Silesia - November 4, 1966, Baden-Baden) was the Nazi military governor of Paris during the closing days of the German occupation of that city during World War II.

He is best known for disobeying Adolf Hitler's direct order to destroy the city; legend has it that he was so moved by the city's beauty, as seen from his hotel room on the Faubourg Saint-Honoré, that he chose not to carry out the command. Another legend has Hitler phoning him in a rage, screaming, "Is Paris burning?"

He surrendered to French general Philippe de Hauteclocque ("Leclerc") at the Gare Montparnasse on August 25, 1944. He was imprisoned and subsequently released.

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