Operation Dragoon

Operation Dragoon
source
Name	Operation Dragoon
Partof	Western Allied invasion of Germany
Caption	Allied forces landing in Southern France
Date	August 15, 1944
Place	Provence, Southern France
Result	Allied victory

Operation Dragoon. The operation was a major military operation conducted by the Western Allies during World War II, involving forces from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and France, including the French Resistance and Free French Forces. It was supported by Naval gunfire support from the United States Navy and the Royal Navy, as well as Tactical bombing by the United States Army Air Forces and the Royal Air Force. The operation was also assisted by Intelligence provided by the Office of Strategic Services and the Secret Intelligence Service.

Background

The operation was initially planned as a supporting effort to Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy, with the goal of capturing the key ports of Marseille and Toulon in Southern France. The plan was developed by Dwight D. Eisenhower, Omar Bradley, and George S. Patton, with input from Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Charles de Gaulle. The operation was also influenced by the Italian Campaign, which had been ongoing since the Allied invasion of Italy in September 1943. The German Army had been weakened by the Battle of Normandy and the Soviet Union's Operation Bagration, making it an ideal time for the Allies to launch a new offensive. The operation was supported by the French Resistance, which had been active in France since the German occupation began in 1940.

Planning and Preparation

The planning for the operation began in January 1944, with the establishment of the Allied Forces Headquarters under the command of Henry Maitland Wilson. The operation was initially code-named Operation Anvil, but was later changed to Operation Dragoon in July 1944. The planning involved coordination with the United States Army, the United States Navy, the Royal Navy, and the Royal Air Force, as well as the French Navy and the French Air Force. The operation was also supported by the Office of Strategic Services, which provided Intelligence on the German Army's dispositions and movements. The Allies assembled a large fleet of ships and landing craft, including the USS Nevada, the USS Arkansas, and the HMS Ramillies, to transport the invasion force to Southern France. The operation was also supported by Air support from the United States Army Air Forces and the Royal Air Force, including the 8th Air Force and the 9th Air Force.

The Invasion

The invasion began on August 15, 1944, with an Amphibious assault on the beaches of Provence, near the town of Saint-Tropez. The invasion force consisted of the United States Seventh Army, the French First Army, and the Canadian 1st Infantry Division, with support from the United States Navy and the Royal Navy. The Allies quickly established a solid foothold on the beach, despite encountering some resistance from the German Army. The Allies then began to push inland, capturing key towns and cities, including Toulon and Marseille. The operation was supported by Air support from the United States Army Air Forces and the Royal Air Force, including the 12th Air Force and the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces. The Allies also received support from the French Resistance, which provided Intelligence and Guerrilla warfare against the German Army.

Aftermath and Assessment

The operation was a major success for the Allies, with the capture of key ports and cities in Southern France. The operation also helped to weaken the German Army and contributed to the eventual Allied victory in Europe. The operation was praised by Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Charles de Gaulle, who recognized its importance in the Allied victory. The operation also marked a significant turning point in the War in Europe, as it helped to shift the balance of power in favor of the Allies. The operation was followed by the Allied advance into Germany, which ultimately led to the Surrender of Germany in May 1945. The operation was also recognized by the United States Congress, which awarded the Medal of Honor to several United States Army soldiers who participated in the operation.

Order of Battle

The order of battle for the operation included the United States Seventh Army, the French First Army, and the Canadian 1st Infantry Division, with support from the United States Navy and the Royal Navy. The Allies also had Air support from the United States Army Air Forces and the Royal Air Force, including the 8th Air Force and the 9th Air Force. The German Army had several divisions in Southern France, including the 19th Army and the 1st Army, but they were ultimately unable to withstand the Allied invasion. The Allies also received support from the French Resistance, which provided Intelligence and Guerrilla warfare against the German Army. The operation involved several key commanders, including Alexander Patch, Jean de Lattre de Tassigny, and Lucian Truscott, who played important roles in the planning and execution of the operation. Category:World War II operations