The second invasion of France was overshadowed by D-Day, but it was just as necessary.
The invasion of southern France was initially supposed to take place at the same time as the Normandy landings, but the decision was made to put more resources into the D-Day forces and postpone Operation Dragoon.
Two months later in August, U.S. forces, alongside British, Canadian and French soldiers arrived in a massive fleet and stunned the confused and disorganized Germans, landing another heavy blow.
Here are the ships, artillery and men who fought in the forgotten fight after D-Day.
1
HMS Attacker and Khedive, just prior to Operation Dragoon
August, 1944
2
Allied troops walking onto the beach during Operation Dragoon
August, 1944
3
The gun positions were quickly overrun, but determined German defenders on Port Cros held out until August 17th.
August, 1944
4
U.S. soldiers on the beach of Côte d'Azur after the battle
August, 1944
5
The First Special Service Force, known as the ‘Devil’s Brigade’, during Dragoon
August, 1944
6
Destroyer ship Tatum underway
August, 1944
7
The airborne drop into southern France
August, 1944
8
Rear Admiral Davidson's flagship Augusta underway
August, 1944
9
Hunt-class destroyer Aldenham at anchor off Southern France
August, 1944
10
45th Division Troops wade ashore from USS LCI-552, near Sainte Maxime
August, 1944
11
Vice Admiral Hewitt's flagship Catoctin off Southern France
August, 1944
12
Allied LSTs loading in Naples in preparation for Operation Dragoon
August, 1944
13
French general Jean de Lattre de Tassigny reviewing troops in the liberated city of Marseille
August, 1944
14
German 88-mm gun on the coast in Southern France
August, 1944
15
The invasion of Southern France, off the French Mediterranean coast
August, 1944
16
The landing craft of Operation Dragoon
August, 1944
17
A map showing the Allied amphibious landings and advance in Southern France, as well as German defensive positions
Operation Dragoon plans
