Dragoon
In many ways, it is the forgotten invasion of the Second World War. On 15 August, 1944, American, British and Free French forces stormed ashore near Marseilles in Southern France. The invasion was code named Operation Dragoon. More than 94,000 troops landed on the first day, along with some 11,000 vehicles. German resistance was light and ineffective (one assault force was redirected when resistance at the original landing site was too fierce). The troop advanced very rapidly, penetrating some 20 miles into France in the first 24 hours.
The 45th US Infantry Division landed at La Nartelle where enemy resistance was weak. Amphibious tanks destroyed the pillboxes; other obstacles were then rapidly cleared. The first battalions assaulting Sainte-Maxime encountered firm German resistance. The houses had to be cleared one by one by grenade, and two hours of fighting were needed before resistance ended there. Progress resumed along the coast with a link established with the 3rd Division at about 2100 hours. To the north and the interior, the landing forces took up blocking positions for the night. Despite the limited area of the beachhead 33,000 men and 3000 vehicles put ashore during the first day of the invasion.
Operations of the 36th US Infantry Division were more difficult. The first waves of the assault lost several landing craft when subjected to intense fire near Cape Antheor. On the Drammont beach, amphibious tanks were able to open the route and allow rapid occupation of the crest and coastal road. On the other hand, the elements in front of Fréjus were obliged to make an about turn due to the intensity of German fire. 93 Liberator bombers were called in to inundate the area with a deluge of high explosive. Under a violent enemy barrage, minesweepers moved in and cleared the approaches to within 500 meters of the coast. Two demolition teams disembarked and undertook the opening of passages to the beach. But facing the apparent impossibility of destroying the underwater obstacles, Admiral Lewis decided to suspend the landing and to transfer the landing to the Drammont beachhead. There was no longer any question of seizing Saint-Raphaël before nightfall. At 1030 hours, the assault forces, finally landed on the Drammont beach, moved toward Saint-Raphaël, but were stopped at the eastern boundary by a strong German blocking force at Boulouris. At 1700 hours the blocking force was bypassed and progress resumed toward Valescure. By nightfall, the heights to the northeast of Fréjus were reached. The next day, a strong attack allowed clearing Fréjus and Saint-Raphaël.
Winston Churchill had bitterly opposed Operation Dragoon. But the capture of the port of Marseilles turned out to be vital to the war effort. The port was put back in operation despite heavy damage and the supplies that moved through there were desperately needed by the rapidly advancing Allied armies.
By feeblemind, Wednesday, 15 August , 2007 @ 11:51 am
Winston Churchill won’t be remembered for his ability to grasp military strategy, that’s for sure.