Var commemorated the 1944 Landings

Many communes of Var commemorated the 82nd anniversary of the Provence Landings, a decisive military operation of World War II.

The ceremonies recalled the courage and sacrifice of these combatants from all horizons.

The other Landing

On August 15, 1944, at dawn, an armada of over 2,000 ships and thousands of aircraft deployed between Cavalaire-sur-Mer and Saint-Raphaël. More than 350,000 soldiers, American and French, composing the US 7th Army and French Army B, set foot on the beaches of Provence.

The objective was to establish a solid bridgehead, relieve the Normandy front, and pinch the German forces. The operation, prepared in the greatest secrecy, surprised the enemy and achieved rapid success, marking the beginning of a lightning advance.

Immediate and decisive consequences

The success of Operation Dragoon had immediate and decisive consequences. The first mission was the capture of the deep-water ports of Toulon and Marseille, indispensable for supplying Allied forces for the rest of the campaign in Europe.

Thanks to the rapid progress of the troops, these two strategic cities were liberated in less than two weeks, much faster than initial plans anticipated. This advance allowed the opening of a vital new logistical axis, known as the Southern "Red Ball Express," which accelerated the Allied march toward Germany.

The grand return of the French army

The Provence Landings marked above all the grand return of the French army to the European theater of operations. Commanded by General Jean de Lattre de Tassigny, Army B, the future French 1st Army, was composed of soldiers from all over the Empire, notably Senegalese, Algerian, Tunisian tirailleurs, Moroccan goumiers, pieds-noirs, and Free French soldiers.

These were the men who led the decisive assaults for the liberation of Toulon and Marseille, restoring to France an essential part of its sovereignty and pride. Their role was fundamental and symbolized the participation of all components of fighting France in the final victory.

A duty of memory

Eighty-two years later, the commemoration of the Provence Landings held a particular importance. As the last witnesses of this epic disappear, the transmission of their memory is a major civic issue.

The ceremonies organized at the Faron Memorial in Toulon and the national necropolis of Boulouris are not only a tribute to the dead, but a lesson in history and courage for young generations, reminding them of the price of freedom.

To note

The ACSPMG (Histoire et patrimoine de la gendarmerie) was alongside patriotic and memorial associations during many commemorations of the Liberation. On this occasion, a production, posted online on its YouTube channel, presents a theme dedicated to the role of the gendarmerie during the Provence Landings.