France Marks 80 Years Since 'Forgotten D-Day' on Riviera
France commemorated Operation Dragoon's 80th anniversary, honoring African soldiers who helped liberate southern France in WWII. The operation, often overshadowed, played a crucial role in defeating Nazi forces.
On August 15, 2024, France marked the 80th anniversary of Operation Dragoon, a significant but often overlooked Allied invasion during World War II. This operation, sometimes referred to as the "forgotten D-Day," played a crucial role in liberating southern France from Nazi occupation.
French President Emmanuel Macron led the commemorations, which particularly honored the contributions of African soldiers from former French colonies. These troops, hailing from what are now over 20 independent nations, comprised nearly half of the French contingent in the operation.
Operation Dragoon, initially codenamed "Anvil" but renamed at Winston Churchill's insistence, commenced on August 15, 1944. The invasion force included over 350,000 Allied troops, supported by more than 2,000 ships and 7,000 aircraft sorties. This massive undertaking caught German forces off guard, as they had anticipated an invasion further west along the coast.
The French Resistance played a vital role in the operation's success, sabotaging German communications and transportation networks. Their efforts, combined with the Allied assault, led to the capture of 100,000 German troops and the rapid liberation of southern France.
Paul Biya, the President of Cameroon, joined Macron at the Boulouris National Cemetery in Saint-Raphael, where 464 French soldiers who fell during the August 1944 fighting are interred. The ceremony also saw the awarding of the Legion of Honor to six World War II veterans.
While there is no definitive Allied death toll for Operation Dragoon, the French Defense Ministry estimates that 1,300 Allied soldiers lost their lives in the first two days alone. Despite these losses, the operation achieved remarkable success, liberating most of southern France within just four weeks.
The invasion force included the French First Army, led by General Jean de Lattre de Tassigny, and involved significant use of airborne forces, including the 1st Airborne Task Force. The operation's rapid progress led to a historic meeting on September 12, 1944, when troops from Operation Dragoon joined forces with those from the Normandy landings in the eastern region of Burgundy.
Operation Dragoon's success extended beyond military victories. It secured vital ports such as Marseille and Toulon, establishing crucial supply lines for the Allied forces. This strategic advantage contributed significantly to the liberation of Paris on August 25, 1944, just ten days after the operation began.
The commemoration of Operation Dragoon serves as a reminder of the diverse contributions to the Allied war effort. It highlights the often-overlooked role of African soldiers in liberating Europe and underscores the global nature of World War II. As we reflect on this "forgotten D-Day," we honor the sacrifices made by all who fought for freedom on the shores of the French Riviera 80 years ago.
