80 years ago, the Provence Landings, code-named Dragoon, formerly known as Anvil, took place. For this operation, on the airborne side, the 1st Airborne Task Force, created especially for the occasion, was mobilised, under the command of Major General Robert T. Fredericks. On the British side, it was the 2nd Parachute Brigade that was mobilised, while on the American side, it was the 517th PRCT, the 1st Battalion 551st PIB, the 509th PIB and the 463rd Field Artillery. The 550th GIB also provided gliders. The objectives: to cover the arrival of the gliders; to prevent any enemy movement from Le Muy and Le Luc towards the beaches; to support the landing of the 36th ID by taking the enemy defences at Fréjus from the rear. 9,000 men from the airborne troops fought in this operation, which enabled the Allies to pincer Germany in order to facilitate the liberation of France. In contrast to Normandy, there was a strong French contingent with Armée B de Lattre de Tassigny, made up mainly of soldiers from France’s colonies.
