Allied LSTs loading in Naples in preparation for Operation Dragoon
On 15 August 1944, Allied forces carried out Operation Dragoon, a set of simultaneous amphibious landings by three US infantry divisions followed by four Free French divisions along the Mediterranean coast of France. The main landings were preceded by nighttime paratroop drops and commando beach landings. This was a phase of the European Theatre of World War II.
Originally called Operation Anvil, these landings had been intended to take place at the same time as the Normandy landings of Operation Overlord, commonly called D-Day, but were postponed because the necessary shipping was committed to the Normandy operation.[1]
British Prime Minister Winston Churchill strenuously objected to the invasion of Southern France, strongly preferring an operation in the Adriatic Sea.[2] The American high command, however, particularly SHAEF commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower, insisted on opening a port on the Southern French coast even after the lodgment in Normandy was obtained. The ports of Normandy were overwhelmed handling the cargo to support the Overlord invasion forces and another high-capacity port closer to the German frontier was vital if more men and supplies were to be delivered to the continent.[3] Additionally, the high command of the French Liberation Army pushed for a landing on the coast of Provence that would include the large numbers of Free French troops that were being trained.[4] Churchill finally relented only five days before the date set for the landings.[5]
In the Alpha and Delta areas, Allied air assault and naval bombardment had either destroyed the German gun emplacements or driven their crews to abandon them.[6] Only in the Camel zone did the landing forces experience any serious resistance.[7]
The Americans considered Operation Dragoon a success. It enabled them to liberate most of Southern France in just four weeks while inflicting heavy casualties on the German forces (although a substantial part of the best German units were able to escape), and the ports of Marseilles and Toulon were soon in operation.
^Morison, pp. 223-225
^Morison, p. 223
^Morison, p. 226
^Morison, p. 223
^Morison, p. 221
^Morison, pp. 263-264, p. 265
^Morison, p. 267
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