A vibrant tribute to the architects of freedom
La Londe-les-Maures commemorated the 82nd anniversary of its Liberation, paying tribute to the heroes of the summer of 1944.
On August 17, the town commemorated the 82nd anniversary of its Liberation.
Operation Dragoon and the arrival of the liberators
On this occasion, François de Canson spoke at length about the context of the summer of 1944 in Provence, marked by Operation Dragoon.
On August 15, a huge allied armada landed on the Var coasts, opening a second front in France after the one in Normandy.
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Then came the arrival, on August 17, 1944, around 4 p.m., of the vanguard of the 3rd American Infantry Division on the commune's territory.
Tribute to the figures of the Liberation
On August 17, several heroic figures were honored, symbolizing courage and sacrifice.
Among them, Louis Bussone, a twenty-five-year-old young man executed after neutralizing the firing devices of the Maravenne and Pansard bridges, thus saving essential passages for the liberators.
The memory of Joseph Spada, who enlisted in the Commandos d’Afrique and fell in battle for Belfort, and of François de Leusse, an officer of the same commandos who later became mayor of the commune, was also praised.
Photos Philippe OLIVIER.