National Archives: American troops of the 28th Infantry Division march down the Champs Elyees,
Paris, in the "Victory Parade." Poinsett, August 29, 1944

"Ever since the American troops marched into Paris in August of 1944, Europe has been celebrating. After four years of German occupation, city after city has been freed by wave after wave of American and British troops storming through Axis territory. Casablanca, Tripoli, Naples, Rome, St. Low, and Cherbourg…the list grows every day.
        Hitler and his army are on the run. Intelligence reports that he is a twisted nervous wreck. His army has failed him, and his shattered dream has left him a pale, hunched, sick man; little more than a living corpse, his left arm twitches uncontrollably, and one leg drags as he walks. I hear he may even be dead! General Eisenhower has a standing bet that the war in Europe will be over by Christmas. "

The United States' military paraded through Paris displaying mile after mile of soldiers, tanks, trucks and armament! Confidence and morale are strong. Any country that could produce all these war materials and then transport them all over the world, could certainly do anything.
        "America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good then America will cease to be great." —Alex de Tocqueville (1805-1859).
        At this point of history, America was good, and thus great. Her powers of production were equaled by none in the world. Factories continued to pump out more tanks, more trucks and more artillery than any other country. However, during this time of victory and celebration, with the Germans seemingly without a leg to stand on, home front production was allowed to dip for the first time, since 1942.
        So great was the feeling of supremacy, that every evening in every town and village there were parties and dancing. Either put on by civilians or enlisted men, it was a time of great jubilation. Americans were heroes, even Frenchmen didn't mind their wives kissing the American soldiers that had freed their beloved Paris.
        We were on top of the world, the Germans were on the run; there was no way they could mount any sort of offensive maneuver at this point...or so we had convinced ourselves."

National Archives: Jubilant GI's in Paris, France

Onward through France
to the border of Germany!