Title: Operation Dragoon : autopsy of a battle, the liberation of the French Riviera in August and September 1944 /
Authors: Gassend, Jean-Loup,
Year: 2013
Subjects: Operation Dragoon, 1944.; World War, 1939-1945 Personal narratives.; Provence (France) History, Military.
Abstract: "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."-- Provided by Publisher.
Contents: The Occupation of the Maritime Alps -- The French Resistance -- The Operation Dragoon Parachute Drops -- The Unintentional Parachute Drops in the Fayence and Montauroux Region -- Pathfinders and Forcemen in Tanneron -- The Landings in the Estérel Mountains and the Battles for la Napoule and Cannes -- Resistance Activities in the Cannes Region -- The Capture of Saint Cézaire sur Siagne -- The Liberation of Grasse and its Region -- Crossing the Loup River at Villeneuve-Loubet and La Colle sur Loup -- The Advance to the Var River -- The Battles for Levens and la Roquette sur Var -- The Resistance Rises Up in Nice -- In Resistance-Controlled Territory -- Advancing to the Italian Border -- Conclusion and a Few More Stories.