France Commemorates 80th Anniversary of Allied Invasion of the French Riviera

Saint-Raphael, France, marked the 80th anniversary of the Allied invasion of the French Riviera during World War II, an event often referred to as "the forgotten D-Day." The ceremonies, presided over by French President Emmanuel Macron, particularly honored the contributions of African soldiers from former French colonies. Despite storm warnings that led to the cancellation of a planned seaborne segment, the event proceeded with significant participation from various leaders, including Cameroonian President Paul Biya. The commemorative activities took place at the Boulouris National Cemetery, which is the final resting place for 464 French soldiers who lost their lives in the August 1944 fighting. In addition to speeches from Macron and Biya, six World War II veterans were set to receive the prestigious Legion of Honor, France's highest award. The day was also intended to feature an aeronautic demonstration and fireworks, showcasing the significance of the occasion. Operation Dragoon, which commenced on August 15, 1944, saw hundreds of thousands of American and French troops land on the Mediterranean coast. This operation was initially planned to coincide with the Normandy invasion but faced delays due to resource shortages. Notably, African soldiers constituted nearly half of the French forces, representing soldiers from what are now independent nations. The French Defense Ministry estimates that approximately 1,300 Allied soldiers died in the first two days of Operation Dragoon, which ultimately facilitated the liberation of most of southern France within four weeks. The two operations converged on September 12, 1944, in Burgundy, marking a significant moment in the Allied campaign against Nazi forces.