On August 15, 1944, a vast Allied fleet stood off the coast of France. In the dark hours of the morning, thousands of American and British airborne troops landed inland in the Argens river valley around the town of La Motte, to secure the main road leading towards the north, link up with the French Resistance, and prevent German reinforcements from going to the landing beaches.
Preceded by a massive naval bombardment and commando raids on specific enemy batteries and coastal defenses, three American infantry divisions started landing at 08:00 on beaches near St. Tropez, St. Raphael, and Cavalaire – today some of the priciest coastal real estate in Europe. Where General Lucian Truscott’s 3rd, 36th, and 45th U.S. Divisions came ashore in 1944, today you can find valet parking and a beach full of well-off sunbathers. Where 1,200 noisy landing craft once carried men and equipment…
