Operation Dragoon And Beyond

Author : Jean Paul Pallud
Publisher : After the Battle
Page : 298 pages
File Size : 55,5 Mb
Release : 2024-02-22
Category : History
ISBN : 9781399046152

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Operation 'Dragoon' and Beyond by Jean Paul Pallud Pdf

"The photographs from the invasion, contrasted with modern pictures of the same locations provide a fascinating interpretation of the battlefields. The text and accompanying maps complement the photos, making the overall volume an outstanding introduction to the campaign."— ARGunners.com From the Riviera, to the Rhine and on to the Colmar pocket, all three operations are covered in this volume by Jean Paul Pallud, and each show the action and locations in our unique ‘then and now’ style. The project of a landing operation in southern France was debated between American and British Allies from mid-1943, the Americans favoring the idea, the British expressing doubts on the value of such an operation. The Russians intervened in November when, at the ‘Eureka’ conference at Teheran Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet state, declared he was much interested in an operation in southern France. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill agreed to launch Operation ‘Anvil’ in southern France at the same time as Operation 'Overlord', the Normandy landings. Convinced that the Allied forces in the Mediterranean would better be used in the Italian campaign, Churchill appealed directly to Roosevelt in June to cancel 'Anvil' but Roosevelt answered that he was definitely for 'Anvil'. On July 2, the Combined Chiefs-of-Staff directed General Sir Henry Maitland Wilson, the C-in-C Mediterranean Theater, to launch Operation 'Dragoon', a three-division assault against the coast of southern France by August 14. Under the shield of a large naval task force the US VI Corps and French forces landed on the beaches of the Riviera on August 15. Opposition from scattered German forces was weak. As the swiftly defeated German forces withdrew to the north through the Rhône valley, pressed by the leaders of VI Corps, the French captured the ports of Marseille and Toulon, soon bringing them into operation. Troops from Operation 'Dragoon' met with the Allied units from Operation 'Overlord' on September 15. At the same time Headquarters of the US 6th Army Group, under Lieutenant General Jacob L. Devers, became operational taking command of the US Seventh Army and the French 1ère Armée. The swift campaign soon came to a stop at the Vosges mountains, where Armeegruppe G was able to establish a stable defense line. The leaders of the 6th Army Group reached the Rhine in mid-November but there would be no crossing. Eisenhower ordered Devers to use whatever force necessary to clear the area between the Vosges and the Rhine and to turn the Seventh Army north as quickly as possible, attacking west and east of the Low Vosges. In spite of its uncertain antecedents, the well-planned Operation 'Dragoon' and the forces involved — along with German unpreparedness and disarray — contributed to a surprisingly rapid success that liberated most of southern France in just four weeks.

Author : Charles River
Publisher : Independently Published
Page : 76 pages
File Size : 51,5 Mb
Release : 2021-11-07
Category : Electronic
ISBN : 9798761595057

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Operation Dragoon by Charles River Pdf

*Includes pictures *Includes a bibliography for further reading By the end of D-Day, the Allies had managed to successfully land 170,000 men, including over 75,000 on the British and Canadian beaches, 57,000 on the American beaches, and over 24,000 airborne troops. Thanks to Allied deception, the German army had failed to react to prevent the Allies from making the most of their landings. Just one division, the Hitlerjugend, would arrive the following day. Despite a fearsome and bloody day, the majority of the Allied forces had held their nerve, and most importantly, achieved their objectives. This ensured Operation Overlord was ultimately successful, and victory in Europe would be achieved within less than a year. Churchill was not overstating the achievements of the invasion when he described the plan "the greatest thing we have ever attempted". The greatest armada the world had ever seen had landed 170,000 soldiers on the heavily defended beaches of Normandy in just 24 hours. More remarkable was the fact that the operation was a success on every major level. Deception, tactical surprise and overwhelming force had contributed to the establishment of an adequate beachhead. Confusion and dissent had stopped the Germans massing for any great counterattack. The Atlantic Wall which Hitler had placed so much faith in had been breached, and the race to Paris was on. While D-Day is one of the most famous events of the war, it is widely overlooked that about two months after the landings in Normandy, there was a second Allied landing in France. On August 15, 1944, a combined US-French force landed in southern France on the beaches of the Côte d'Azur as part of Operation Dragoon. In just over four weeks of fighting, the Allied landing led to the liberation of most of southern France and to one of the most audacious and successful Allied operations of World War II. However, the planning that led to Operation Dragoon (originally named Operation Anvil) was anything but settled. The idea for a landing in the south of France had been raised by senior commanders as early as 1942, and at one time it was intended to be a concurrent operation with the Overlord landings in Normandy. However, the spectacular failure of the American landing at Anzio in Italy earlier in the year and an increase in the size of forces for Overlord meant there simply weren't resources to spare for a second simultaneous landing in France. Thus, Operation Anvil was canceled. The landings in Normandy and the campaign that followed were successful, but that very success brought its own problems. As the huge Allied armies advanced far beyond the original invasion beaches, providing them with critical supplies such as food, fuel, and ammunition became difficult. The farther they advanced into France, the more acute this problem became, and the failure to capture the port of Cherbourg on schedule made the situation worse. As a result, despite disagreements at the highest levels (Churchill remained vehemently opposed to the operation), it was decided to resurrect Operation Anvil in mid-July 1944 with the prime objectives of securing the ports of Toulouse and Marseille. With less than a month to complete the planning and preparation of a major amphibious operation, many on the Allied side were skeptical of the chances of success for this operation. However, the supply situation in northern France and growing political pressures within the Allies meant it simply had to go ahead. With that, on the morning of August 15, 1944, Allied troops began landing on the beaches of the Côte d'Azur. What followed remains a controversial part of the end of the war in Europe.

Author : Robin Cross
Publisher : Pegasus Books
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 51,7 Mb
Release : 2019-03-05
Category : History
ISBN : 1681778602

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Operation Dragoon by Robin Cross Pdf

A dramatic and expertly rendered narrative of the Allied liberation of the South of France during Operation Dragoon in 1944. Operation Dragoon is the story of the Allied invasion of the South of France on August 15, 1944. It was, in effect, the second D-Day, launched two months after “Overlord,” the Allied invasion of Normandy. As such, it has often been overshadowed by its predecessor, but it significance cannot be underestimated. “Dragoon” was a largely American-French operation in which the British, who had argued for action in northern Italy, played a smaller role. After nearly five years of conflict, British war stamina had been severely sapped. In contrast, the French, who had been excluded from the overall planning of D-Day, played an important role in Dragoon, supplying the majority of the ground troops in a campaign which began on the beaches of the Riviera and ended in the cool, clear air of the Alpes Maritimes, the sacred ground of France. Operation Dragoon provides for the first time a complete overview of the liberation of the South of France—from strategic decisions made from the Allied and German high commands to the intelligence war waged by Allied code-breakers; from the German defeat of French resistance forces on the Vergers to the exploits of individual OSS agents on the ground as they strove to keep pace with a fast-moving battlefield. This is the story of the Allies inflicting on the Germany Army a Blitzkrieg-style defeat, expunging the lingering memories of the catastrophe of 1940.

Author : Anthony Tucker-Jones
Publisher : Pen & Sword Military
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 46,9 Mb
Release : 2024-09-30
Category : History
ISBN : 1036150178

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Operation Dragoon by Anthony Tucker-Jones Pdf

Operation Dragoon, the Allied landings in the south of France in August 1944, is often seen as a sideshow supporting Operation Overlord, the crucial D-Day landings in Normandy. And often the operation is criticized as an expensive diversion of men and equipment from the struggle against the German armies in Italy. Yet, as Anthony Tucker-Jones shows in his new in-depth study, Dragoon and the subsequent Allied advance across southern France were key stages in the liberation of Europe, and the operation had far-reaching political and military ramifications. Controversy dogged the plan from the start. Fierce disagreement among the senior Allied commanders and politicians - in particular between Churchill, Eisenhower and de Gaulle - threatened to weaken the Anglo-American war effort. In vivid detail Anthony Tucker-Jones tells the story of the high-level strategic argument that gave birth to Dragoon, and he looks at the impact of the operation on the direction and duration of the war against Nazi Germany. He also describes the course of the invasion on the ground - the massive logistical effort required, the landings themselves, the role played by the French resistance, and the bitter battles fought against German rearguards as they sought to retain France's southern cities and cover their withdrawal toward the strategic Belfort Gap.

Author : Jean-Loup Gassend
Publisher : Schiffer Publishing
Page : 560 pages
File Size : 45,6 Mb
Release : 2014-02-01
Category : History
ISBN : 076434580X

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Operation Dragoon by Jean-Loup Gassend Pdf

On the night of August 14-15, 1944, the First Airborne Task Force, which included the U.S. 509th, 517th and 551st Parachute Infantry Regiments, jumped into enemy held territory spearheading Operation Dragoon, the Allied invasion of southern France. Based on interviews from all combatant units, battlefield archaeology, period photos, letters and reports, this book provides an outstandingly detailed hour-by-hour account of the advance through southern France, as seen through the eyes of those who lived through it, bringing to light the tragic and gruesome realities of what was later to become known as the "Champagne Campaign."

Author : William B. Breuer
Publisher : Jove Publications
Page : 258 pages
File Size : 52,8 Mb
Release : 1988
Category : France, Southern
ISBN : 0515098051

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Operation Dragoon by William B. Breuer Pdf

Author : U. S. Military,Department Of Defense (Dod),U. S. Army
Publisher : Independently Published
Page : 84 pages
File Size : 41,8 Mb
Release : 2018-10
Category : History
ISBN : 1726601013

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Operation Dragoon: Unified Land Operations and Elements of Operational Art in Southern France - Vital World War II Western Front Battle, by U. S. Military,Department Of Defense (Dod),U. S. Army Pdf

Operation Dragoon, the invasion of Southern France on August 15, 1944, is one of the least celebrated, yet highly successful operations conducted by the Allies on the Western front during World War II. Allied planners initially proposed an amphibious invasion of Southern France in support of the cross-channel invasion during the Trident Conference in Washington, DC in May 1943. Allied planners revisited Operation Dragoon several times over the next twelve months, as it remained a divisive issue between the Americans and the British. Their divergent strategic goals and the limited resources to meet these goals resulted in frequent changes and cancellations, but ultimately the operation went forward. Operation Dragoon was a supporting operation to the Allies' main effort in Normandy. The operation had two primary purposes: to force the German forces in France to fight in two directions and to give Allied forces access to the vital port facilities at Marseilles and Toulon. Operation Dragoon achieved far more success than anticipated. The Germans failed to anticipate the landings and form a viable defense, leaving them with only the option to withdraw. As the Germans began to retreat, American and French forces began an aggressive pursuit. In less than four weeks they caused the Germans to sustain a loss of over 150,000 casualties while liberating a large portion of Southern France. This monograph seeks to provide insight into various elements of today's concept of operational art and the US Army's operational doctrine expressed in Army Doctrine Publication (ADP) 3-0, Unified Land Operations (ULO). By identifying and analyzing similar methods employed in making Operation Dragoon a success, this monograph identifies ways in which the success of the operation can inform future operational planners. Contents: 1. The Road to Operation Dragoon 2. Analysis of Operational Art in Operation Dragoon 3. Conclusion Operation Dragoon achieved far more success than the British and Americans anticipated. The Germans failed to predict the landings and form a viable defense, leaving them with withdrawal as the only option. As the Germans retreated, American and French forces aggressively pursued. In less than four weeks they inflicted more than 150,000 German casualties while liberating a large portion of Southern France. Combat of this scale exceeds the experience of today's US Army officer, who typically has experienced limited warfare such as counterinsurgency and stability operations. Also, American wars since the Vietnam War have not involved casualties anywhere close to the scale of a WWII campaign. It is hard for today's Army officers to imagine large-scale offensive operations against another major power. In addition to Operation Dragoon's extraordinary success, it also offers insights for those in the profession of arms on topics ranging from global strategy to joint combined operations. Analyzing Operation Dragoon reveals similarities between the principles that guided the planning and execution used and the modern US Army's doctrine of Unified Land Operations (ULO) and concept of operational art. Thus, historical study yields a greater understanding of today's concept of operational art and the US Army's operational doctrine by identifying and analyzing similar methods employed during Operation Dragoon. The elements of operational art and tenets of ULO highlighted in this case study analysis show the reader the importance of each principle. Historical analysis of Operation Dragoon offers useful insights into modern US Army operational art doctrine with relevance for current and future operational planners.

Author : Andrew Stewart
Publisher : Naval Staff Histories of the S
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 44,9 Mb
Release : 2015
Category : History
ISBN : 1909982989

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Operation Dragoon by Andrew Stewart Pdf

The Allied landings that took place in Southern France in August 1944 represented both one of the concluding elements of the wartime Mediterranean campaign and a decisive follow-on to the invasion of Normandy that had taken place two months before. "The Champagne Campaign", as it was later termed, required considerable planning and the contribution

Author : Steven J. Zaloga
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing
Page : 98 pages
File Size : 47,6 Mb
Release : 2011-03-15
Category : History
ISBN : 9781846038983

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Operation Dragoon 1944 by Steven J. Zaloga Pdf

The story of the second major amphibious landing in France in 1944, which built upon the lessons learned from D-Day. Operation Dragoon, the Allied landings in southern France on August 15, 1944, was one of the most controversial operations of 1944, leading to a deep divide between United States and British planners. The US objective was to threaten the rear of the German armies occupying France by a landing on the eastern French coast and to push rapidly northward towards Lorraine to meet up with Allied forces bursting out of Normandy Popular Osprey author Steve Zaloga tells the story of this ultimately successful operation, from the derisive debates between the Allied commanders to the men who hit the beaches and charged ashore to help liberate occupied France.

Author : George G. Kundahl
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing
Page : 757 pages
File Size : 51,7 Mb
Release : 2017-05-30
Category : History
ISBN : 9781786722003

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The Riviera at War by George G. Kundahl Pdf

During World War II three distinct forces opposed the Allies - Germany, Italy, and Japan. Few areas of the world experienced domination by more than a single one of these, but southeastern France – the region popularly known as the Riviera or Cote d'Azur - was one. Not only did inhabitants suffer through Italian Fascism and German Nazism but also under a third hardship at times even more oppressive - the rule of Vichy France. Following a nine-month prelude, the reality of World War II burst onto the Riviera in June 1940 when the region had to defend itself against the Italian army and ended in April 1945 with a battle against German and Italian forces in April 1945, a period longer than any other part of France. In this book, George G. Kundahl tells for the first time the full story of World War II on the French Riviera. Featuring previously unseen sources and photographs, this will be essential reading for anyone interested in wartime France.

Author : Karel Margry
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 336 pages
File Size : 42,9 Mb
Release : 2002-09
Category : Arnhem, Battle of, Arnhem, Netherlands, 1944
ISBN : 1870067398

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Operation Market-Garden Then and Now by Karel Margry Pdf

Volume 1 covers the mounting of the operation and the crucial first two days of the battle. The story opens with the planning and preparation of the double undertaking - of Market by the newly created First Allied Airborne Army in the UK and Garden by the British Second Army on the Belgian-Dutch border. The scene then switches to describe the German military situation in the Netherlands on the eve of battle. The massive initial airborne landings of September 17, 1944, are then recounted with equal attention to each of the three airborne divisions involved. The break-out battle by the Guards Armoured Division, spearhead of the ground army, is likewise illustrated with a wealth of photographs. The second day of the operation, September 18, sees the Guards reaching the 101st Airborne at Eindhoven, making their first contact with the airborne army.

Author : Robert Ross Smith,Jeffrey Clarke
Publisher : CreateSpace
Page : 628 pages
File Size : 52,7 Mb
Release : 2015-07-27
Category : Electronic
ISBN : 1515233790

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Riviera to the Rhine by Robert Ross Smith,Jeffrey Clarke Pdf

With the publication of "Riviera to the Rhine", the Center of Military History completes its series of operational histories treating the activities of the U.S. Army's combat forces during World War II. This volume examines the least known of the major units in the European theater, General Jacob L. Devers' 6th Army Group. Under General Devers' leadership, two armies, the U.S. Seventh Army under General Alexander M. Patch and the First French Army led by General Jean de Lattre de Tassigny, landing on the Mediterranean coast near Marseille in August 1944, cleared the enemy out of southern France and then turned east and joined with army groups under Field Marshal Sir Bernard L. Montgomery and General Omar N. Bradley in the final assault on Germany. In detailing the campaign of these Riviera-based armies, the authors have concentrated on the operational level of war, paying special attention to the problems of joint, combined, and special operations and to the significant roles of logistics, intelligence, and personnel policies in these endeavors. They have also examined in detail deception efforts at the tactical and operational levels, deep battle penetrations, river-crossing efforts, combat in built-up areas, and tactical innovations at the combined arms level.

Author : Patrick K. O'Donnell
Publisher : Simon and Schuster
Page : 384 pages
File Size : 46,8 Mb
Release : 2001-08-30
Category : History
ISBN : 9780743213295

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Beyond Valor by Patrick K. O'Donnell Pdf

Previous books have promised to describe the combat experience of the World War II GI, but there has never been a book like Patrick O'Donnell's Beyond Valor. Here is the first combat history of the war in Europe in the words of the men themselves, and perhaps the most honest and brutal account of combat possible on the printed page. For more than fifty years the individual stories that make up this narrative -- shockingly frank reflections of sacrifice and courage -- have been bottled up, buried, or circulated privately. Now, nearing the ends of their lives, our WWII soldiers have at last unburdened themselves. Beyond Valor recaptures their hidden history. A pioneering oral historian, Patrick O'Donnell used his award-winning website, The Drop Zone, to solicit oral- and "e-histories" from individual soldiers. Gradually, working from within the community, O'Donnell convinced some of the war's most battle-hardened soldiers to tell their stories. The result is WWII seen through the eyes of the men who saw the most intense of its action. O'Donnell focuses on the elite units of the war -- the Rangers, Airborne, and 1st Special Service Force -- troops that spearheaded the most dangerous operations and often made the difference between victory and defeat. From more than 650 interviews O'Donnell has chosen oral- and e-histories that form a seamless story line, a pointillistic history of the war in Europe from the first parachute drops in North Africa through the final battles in Germany and the long trip home. It is the story of the war not discussed in polite company. O'Donnell presents the wreckage of entire battalions nearly annihilated, invisible personal scars, and haunting revelations of wartime atrocities. But more important are the men who recount lives risked without hesitation for comrades and cause, and those who did not return: the friends who died in their arms. Their stories remind all of us that victory came only at the highest price. Remembering the infamous cliffs at Pointe-du-Hoc, bloody Omaha Beach, the bitter fighting at the Battle of the Bulge, and Hill 400 in the Hürtgen Forest, the soldiers reveal war as seen, heard, and smelled by the GIs on the front line. Also included is the unique story of the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, and the trailblazing African-American "Experimental" Test Platoon that had to fight its own battle behind the lines. Beyond Valor captures the truths that exist among soldiers. It is one of the most inspiring accounts of the war ever produced.

Author : Charles Brown MacDonald
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 710 pages
File Size : 54,5 Mb
Release : 1993
Category : World War, 1939-1945
ISBN : PSU:000059701545

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The Siegfried Line Campaign by Charles Brown MacDonald Pdf

Author : Hugh Marshall Cole
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 740 pages
File Size : 53,7 Mb
Release : 1984
Category : World War, 1939-1945
ISBN : OSU:32435069582872

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The Lorraine Campaign by Hugh Marshall Cole Pdf

This account focuses on the tactical operations of the Third Army and its subordinate units between 1 September and 18 December 1944.