PDF Operation Dragoon 1944: France's other D-Day (Campaign) by Steven Zaloga in History

Review

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful. One of the Best Covered Campaigns in the Osprey SeriesBy Dave SchranckMr Zaloga has taken this assignment seriously and has done his homework and developed a 5 star book on a campaign that has been overshadowed by Normandy since the war ended.In the introduction; the author explains the German history of southern France and the Vichy government since 1940. The Allies receive a little more coverage with the describing of the friction and controversy over Dragoon at the expense of the Italian camaign. He also describes the advantages the Allies will have over the Germans with the southern landings.The Chronology comes next and it covers pertinent events that will impact Operation Dragaon as far back as Nov 1942. One minor complaint: This listing would have been better if the author had described the hourly events of Aug 15th instead of just saying the operation begins.The Opposing Commanders is also covered well for both sides. Descriptions of General Blaskowitz of AG G; Wiese and Bieringer are given. On the Allied side; General Patch; Truscott; O'Daniel and Dalhquist. The French generals Juin; Tassigny and LeClerc are also included. Photos of each person are also supplied.The Opposing Forces chapter is one of the most detailed I've seen in an Osprey book; taking up 16 pages. The author covers Orders of Battle for German; American and French as well as giving pertinent information on the individual armies and battlefield; including the number of fortifications and the number and type of obstacles planted at the landing site. The training to and assistance given by the French Resistance is also expressed.In the Opposing Plans; the author describes the four potential landing sites the Germans thought possible and had to plan the best they could with the resources available to cover them. The sites were Southern Brittany; the lower Bay of Biscay; near Marseilles in the Riviera and the the Bay of Genoa in Italy. Genoa was their first choice with the Riviera their second choice. The author describes steps taken to defend those areas. The Allied section was surprisingly brief but adequate. The author mentions the experiences learned from the previous landings including Normandy to prepare a sophisicated assault by the Allies.For the Campaign chapter; the author spends 56 pages explaining in good detail the process of the landing and followup. It includes the inland bombing of rail and roads to hamper reinforcements from reaching the coast. It includes the airbourne landings and assault to further hamper German movements. The commando raids to capture the islands off the Provence coast as well as at Negre were mentioned; describing the troubles the commandos had to overcome. The author describes in good detail the prior naval shelling and meticulous steps taken for the main landings. He gives special attention to the area at Camel Beach where the Allies met stiff resistance and troubles. The German resistance the airbourne forces met up with are also described. The capture of the important ports of Marseille and Toulon and the good job the French forces did are also highlighted. The chapter ends with the Allies moving up the Rhone Valley to meet up with the Overlord forces near the German border.In the Aftermath section; the author was impressed with the operation and describes the importance of its success.I was hoping the author would speculate on a pet theory of mine but it wasn't meant to be. I submit that if General Marshall had insisted on the landing boats required plus downplaying the assault on Rome so that Operation Dragoon could have jumped off on June 6th that the history of Normandy would have been much different; much better than it was. The Italian Campaign as well as the first 6 weeks of Normandy were costly and if VI's Corps could have landed with Overlord; lives could have been saved with a quicker breakout of Normandy.The author includes five 2-D maps and three 3-D maps and all of them are very good and helpful in understanding the evolving story. There are also three 2 page wide illustrations that are good. There are many good photos; some are in colorIf this book has peaked your interest in this campaign; Mr Zaloga has listed two pages of alternatives to read.This is an excellent book on the "Other French Landing" and is highly recommended.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Like all this seriesBy History NutLike all this series; it is well done and an easy to read presentation. This is the "forgotten" invasion of France very overshadowed by Normandie. It is also the story of how logistics dictates action. Because the invading forces expected heavy resistance and a long fight near the beaches; they loaded more ammo than fuel. When resistance was light and pursuit of the enemy called for; there wasn't enough fuel to move the armies. Another 'what if' of the European campaign that might have shortened the war in Europe.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Two StarsBy J. WhiteNot very well written. Hard to follow....