German Officer Greeted by Released Alsatians (Elsässer) Interned by French, Following German Advance Through Epinal (July 1, 1940)

This black and white photograph, likely taken during World War II, shows a German officer in an open-top vehicle being greeted by civilians with raised arms. The scene visually suggests either willing collaboration or coerced compliance in an occupied territory. Archival text confirms the historical context: the photograph documents the "hour of liberty" for over 500 German Alsatians (Elsässer) who had been interned by the French in a concentration camp and were freed by German troops during their advance through Epinal on July 1, 1940.