80th anniversary of the Provence Landing: a tribute to the combatants [fr]
On 15 August 1944, the Provence Landing took place, with a major contribution from North African and sub-Saharan African infantrymen, who paid a heavy price in achieving victory. This event, known as “the forgotten landing” deserves special recognition for the crucial role played by the African troops.
- Provence landings: French and Allied troops en route from Italy to France
- ImagesDéfense (https://imagesdefense.gouv.fr) - Auteur inconnu/ECPAD/Défense
The Provence Landing was a major operation led by the Allied forces, mainly the Americans and French. Operation Dragoon aimed to open up a new front in France and quickly liberate the south of the country. Over half of the 450,000 troops who took part in the operation were from the continent of Africa. Among those landing in France were infantrymen from Senegal, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, the Pacific, the Indian Ocean and the West Indies.
The 15 August commemoration is an opportunity to pay tribute to these soldiers and remember their key role in the success of the Landing.
“Young people from Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia, sons of West Africa, East Africa, Madagascar and the Indian Ocean, Asia, the Americas and Pacific territories - all of them fought magnificently for our Liberation.”
Jacques Chirac at the 60th anniversary of the Landing in 2004.
Through their sacrifice, these unsung heroes made an invaluable contribution to the Liberation of France.