Operation 'Dragoon' and Beyond: Then and Now

This volume by Jean Paul Pallud covers three operations in southern France: Riviera, Rhine, and Colmar pocket. The Americans favored a landing operation, while the British were doubtful. The Russians intervened, and Operation Anvil was launched alongside Operation Overlord. Churchill appealed to Roosevelt to cancel Anvil, but Roosevelt supported it. General Sir Henry Maitland Wilson launched Operation Dragoon, a three-division assault against the coast of southern France. The US VI Corps and French forces landed on the beaches of the Riviera on August 15, encountering weak German opposition. The campaign quickly advanced, capturing Marseille and Toulon, and meeting with Allied units from Operation Overlord on September 15. The 6th Army Group reached the Rhine in mid-November but was unable to cross. Eisenhower ordered Devers to clear the area and turn the Seventh Army north, resulting in a rapid success that liberated most of southern France in just four weeks.

Format: Unspecified
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 30 October 2023
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

From the sun-kissed shores of the Riviera to the majestic Rhine River and beyond to the Colmar Pocket, Jean Paul Pallud's captivating volume delves into the intricate details of all three operations. Each chapter vividly portrays the action and locations, showcasing our unique blend of "then" and "now" perspectives.

The idea of a landing operation in southern France had been the subject of intense debate between American and British Allies since mid-1943. The Americans were firmly in favor of the proposal, while the British expressed reservations about its potential value. However, the course of events was about to be altered by a significant intervention from the Russians.

In November, during the Eureka Conference in Teheran, Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet state, expressed his keen interest in an operation in southern France. This announcement caught the attention of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who were already planning the massive Normandy landings. Recognizing the potential significance of the Mediterranean theater, Churchill made a direct appeal to Roosevelt in June, urging him to cancel Operation Anvil. To Churchill's surprise, Roosevelt firmly responded that he was in support of Operation Anvil.

On July 2, the Combined Chiefs-of-Staff directed General Sir Henry Maitland Wilson, the Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Theatre, to launch Operation Dragoon. This ambitious three-division assault was set to take place on the coast of southern France by August 14. Under the cover of a substantial naval task force, the US VI Corps and French forces made their way. On August 15, they landed on the picturesque beaches of the Riviera, encountering minimal opposition from scattered German forces. As the swiftly defeated German forces retreated northward through the Rh ne Valley, pressured by the commanding officers of VI Corps, the French forces swiftly captured the ports of Marseille and Toulon, bringing them into operation within days.

The Allied units from Operation Overlord finally met with the troops from Operation Dragoon on September 15. At the same time, Headquarters of the US 6th Army Group, under the leadership of General George Patton, were established in southern France. This marked a significant milestone in the Allied campaign, as the combined forces were now poised to drive the German forces out of France and ultimately into defeat.

Operation Anvil, despite facing initial doubts and skepticism, played a crucial role in the overall Allied victory in World War II. It demonstrated the adaptability and determination of the Allied forces and set the stage for subsequent operations in Europe. The bravery and skill of the troops who participated in these operations continue to inspire us today, reminding us of the sacrifices made during those historic times.

Weight: 1030g
Dimension: 182 x 258 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399046114