FRANCE marked the 80th anniversary of the Allied invasion of the French Riviera, known as Operation Dragoon, with a series of commemorations on Thursday. The events paid special tribute to the thousands of African soldiers from former French colonies who played a pivotal role in the operation, often referred to as the ‘forgotten D-Day.’
French President Emmanuel Macron led the ceremonies, which were also attended by Cameroonian President Paul Biya and other African leaders, at the Boulouris National Cemetery in Saint-Raphael. This cemetery is the final resting place of 464 French soldiers who died during the fierce battles of August 1944.
The Associated Press (AP) reported that due to storm warnings along the Mediterranean coast, a planned seaborne event was cancelled, but other scheduled activities proceeded, including speeches by Macron and Biya. Six World War II veterans, including five Frenchmen and one foreign soldier, were awarded the Legion of Honor, France’s highest decoration. The day also featured an aeronautic display and fireworks.
Operation Dragoon began on August 15, 1944, involving hundreds of thousands of American and French troops who landed on the Mediterranean coast to push back Nazi forces. Originally intended to coincide with the Normandy invasion in June 1944, the operation was delayed due to resource constraints. African soldiers constituted nearly half of the French forces, hailing from what are now approximately two dozen independent nations.
While the exact Allied death toll remains uncertain, the French Defence Ministry estimates that 1,300 soldiers died in the first two days of the operation. Operation Dragoon was crucial in the rapid liberation of southern France, allowing Allied forces from the Riviera to join up with those from the Normandy invasion on September 12, 1944, in the Burgundy region.
The commemorations served as a reminder of the significant yet often overlooked contributions of African troops in World War II, ensuring that their bravery and sacrifice are remembered in the annals of history.
