On 15 August 1944, Allied forces carried out Operation Dragoon, a set of simultaneous amphibious landings by three US infantry divisions followed by four Free French divisions along the Mediterranean coast of France. The main landings were preceded by nighttime paratroop drops and commando beach landings. This was a phase of the European Theatre of World War II.
Originally called Operation Anvil, these landings had been intended to take place at the same time as the Normandy landings of Operation Overlord, commonly called D-Day, but were postponed because the necessary shipping was committed to the Normandy operation.[1]
British Prime Minister Winston Churchill strenuously objected to the invasion of Southern France, strongly preferring an operation in the Adriatic Sea.[2] The American high command, however, particularly SHAEF commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower, insisted on opening a port on the Southern French coast even after the lodgment in Normandy was obtained. The ports of Normandy were overwhelmed handling the cargo to support the Overlord invasion forces and another high-capacity port closer to the German frontier was vital if more men and supplies were to be delivered to the continent.[3] Additionally, the high command of the French Liberation Army pushed for a landing on the coast of Provence that would include the large numbers of Free French troops that were being trained.[4] Churchill finally relented only five days before the date set for the landings.[5]
In the Alpha and Delta areas, Allied air assault and naval bombardment had either destroyed the German gun emplacements or driven their crews to abandon them.[6] Only in the Camel zone did the landing forces experience any serious resistance.[7]
The Americans considered Operation Dragoon a success. It enabled them to liberate most of Southern France in just four weeks while inflicting heavy casualties on the German forces (although a substantial part of the best German units were able to escape), and the ports of Marseilles and Toulon were soon in operation.
See main article: Seventh United States Army. Lieutenant General Alexander McC. Patch
Detachment, Army HQ & HQ Company & Special Troops
Detachment, HQ Seventh Army (For Beach Control HQ)
Engineer
Company D (rem Map Plat), 378th Engineer Battalion (Separate)
697th Engineer Petroleum Distribution Company
Mobile Laboratory, 701st Engineer Petroleum Distribution Company
Survey Platoon, 649th Engineer Topographic Battalion
Company A, Engineer Camouflage Battalion
1202nd Engineer Fire Fighting Platoon
1204th Engineer Fire Fighting Platoon
1711th Engineer Map Depot Detachment
Special Platoon, 460th Engineer Depot Company
Military Police
204th Military Police Company
372d Military Police Escort Guard Company
377th Military Police Escort Guard Company (-3 Sections)
504th Military Police Battalion (-2 Companies)
HQ & HQ Detachment, 759th Military Police Battalion
Medical
1st Advance Section, 7th Medical Depot Company
Quartermaster
94th Quartermaster Railhead Company (-2 Platoons)
138th Quartermaster Truck Company
144th Quartermaster Truck Company
Detachment, 202nd Quartermaster Car Company (-)
HQ & HQ Detachment, 528th Quartermaster Battalion
3357th Quartermaster Truck Company
Signal
Army Signal Battalion
226th Signal Operation Company
Detachment, 163rd Signal Photo Company
982nd Signal Service Company
Miscellaneous
Detachment 72nd Liaison Squadron
11th Postal Regulating Unit
Special Service Staff (Office of Strategic Services)
Twenty-eight Port Companies and Seven Battalion HQ Detachments.
US VI Corps
See main article: VI Corps (United States).
Major General Lucian K. Truscott, Jr.
VI Corps consisted of the US 3rd, 45th and 36th Infantry Divisions; these units are detailed in the Alpha Force, Delta Force and Camel Force sections, respectively, below.
HQ & HQ Company, VI Corps
Combat Command
Combat Command Sudre 1ere Division Blindee
Attached
1ere Cie, 9e Regt Chasseurs d'Afrique
Det, 661/2 Cie De Reparation Engines Blindee
66e Cie de Munitions (-)
Det, 705 Cie de Ravitaillement en Essence
Field Artillery
HQ & HQ Battery, VI Corps Artillery
HQ & HQ Battery, 6th Field Artillery Group
HQ & HQ Battery, 35th Field Artillery Group
HQ & HQ Battery, 36th Field Artillery Group
2nd Field Artillery Observation Battalion
36th Field Artillery Battalion (155mm Gun)
59th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm Howitzer SP)
69th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm Howitzer SP)
93rd Field Artillery Battalion (105mm Howitzer SP)
141st Field Artillery Battalion (155mm Howitzer)
634th Field Artillery Battalion (155mm Howitzer)
937th Field Artillery Battalion (155mm Howitzer)
938th Field Artillery Battalion (155mm Howitzer)
976th Field Artillery Battalion (155mm Gun)
977th Field Artillery Battalion (155mm Gun)
Antiaircraft Artillery
HQ & HQ Battery, 35th Antiaircraft Artillery Brigade
HQ & HQ Battery, 5th Antiaircraft Artillery Group
HQ & HQ Battery, 68th Antiaircraft Artillery Group
HQ & HQ Battery, 105th Antiaircraft Artillery Group
68th Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion (Mobile)
72nd Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion (Mobile)
106th Antiaircraft Artillery (Automatic Weapons) Battalion (SP)
107th Antiaircraft Artillery (Automatic Weapons) Battalion (Mobile)
108th Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion (Mobile)
216th Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion (Mobile)
433rd Antiaircraft Artillery (Automatic Weapons) Battalion (Mobile)
441st Antiaircraft Artillery (Automatic Weapons) Battalion (SP)
443rd Antiaircraft Artillery (Automatic Weapons) Battalion (SP)
451st Antiaircraft Artillery (Automatic Weapons) Battalion (Mobile)
534th Antiaircraft Artillery (Automatic Weapons) Battalion (Mobile)
895th Antiaircraft Artillery (Automatic Weapons) Battalion (Mobile)
102nd Antiaircraft Artillery Barrage Balloon Battery (VLA)
103rd Antiaircraft Artillery Barrage Balloon Battery (VLA)
104th Antiaircraft Artillery Barrage Balloon Battery (VLA)
Armor
191st Tank Battalion
753rd Tank Battalion
Tank Destroyer
601st Tank Destroyer Battalion
636th Tank Destroyer Battalion
645th Tank Destroyer Battalion [8]
Cavalry
117th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron
Chemical Warfare
2nd Chemical Battalion Motorized (-1 Company)
3rd Chemical Battalion Motorized
83rd Chemical Battalion Motorized (-1 Company)
6th Chemical Depot Company
11th Chemical Maintenance Company
21st Chemical Decontamination Company (-3 platoons) (Smoke Troops)
Engineer
343rd Engineer General Service Regiment
344th Engineer General Service Regiment
Company C, (Bailey bridge), 378th Engineer Battalion (Separate)
Company D, (Treadway Bridge), 378th Engineer Battalion (Separate)
1st Platoon, 424th Engineer Dump Truck Company
Contact Platoon, 469th Engineer Maintenance Company
Survey Platoon, 661st Engineer Topographic Company
6617th Engineer Mine Clearance Company
Military Police
206th Military Police Company
Medical
2nd Auxiliary Surgical Group
14 General Surgical Teams
3 Shock Teams
1 Gas Team
3 Orthopaedic Teams
2 Thoracic Teams
2 Neurosurgery Teams
3 Dental Prosthetic Teams
2 Maxillofacial Teams
10th Field Hospital
6703rd Blood Transfusion Unit
11th Field Hospital
11th Evacuation Hospital (Semimobile) (400 bed)
93rd Evacuation Hospital (Semimobile) (400 bed)
95th Evacuation Hospital (Semimobile) (400 bed)
Ordnance
HQ & HQ Detachment, 43rd Ordnance Battalion
HQ & HQ Detachment, 44th Ordnance Battalion
HQ & HQ Detachment, 45th Ordnance Battalion
14th Ordnance Medium Maintenance Company
45th Ordnance Medium Maintenance Company
46th Ordnance Medium Maintenance Company
87th Ordnance Heavy Maintenance Company (Field Artillery)
261st Ordnance Medium Maintenance Company (Anti Aircraft)
3406th Ordnance Medium Automotive Maintenance Company
3408th Ordnance Medium Automotive Maintenance Company
3432nd Ordnance Medium Automotive Maintenance Company
64th Ordnance Ammunition Company
66th Ordnance Ammunition Company
680th Ordnance Ammunition Company
143rd Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad
144th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad
145th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad
146th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad
Quartermaster
46th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company (-1 Platoon)
Platoon, 549th Quartermaster Laundry Company
3426th Quartermaster Truck Company
Signal
1st Signal Center Team
57th Signal Battalion
3201 SIS Detachment
4 Detachments, 163rd Signal Photo Company
Detachment A, 117th Radio Intelligence Company
Naval
3 Naval Combat Intelligence Teams
Naval Gunfire Liaison Personnel
15 Naval Shore Fire Control Parties
Armee B constituted the follow-up landing force
See main article: First Army (France). Général d'armée Jean de Lattre de Tassigny
Etat-major de l'Armée "B", compagnie de quartier général 162/27 (-)
Général de corps d'armée Edgard de Larminat
Etat-major du 2ème Corps d'Armée et compagnie de quartier général 75
Divisions
1ère Division de Marche d'Infanterie - gen. Diego Brosset
1ère Division Blindée (-2 CC) - gen. Jean Touzet du Vigier
3ème Division d'Infanterie Algérienne - gen. Joseph de Goislard de Monsabert
9ème Division d'Infanterie Coloniale - gen. Joseph Magnan
2ème Régiment de Spahis Algériens (Reconnaissance Battalion)
1er Groupe de Tabors Marocains
3ème Groupe de Tabors Marocains
4ème Groupe de Tabors Marocains
Field Artillery
Etat-major du Groupement d'artillerie
No. 1 Detachment, 1st Field Artillery Observation Battalion (US)
1er groupe du Régiment d'Artillerie Coloniale du Levant
3ème groupe du 65e Régiment d'Artillerie
Antiaircraft Artillery
Detachment, HQ & HQ Battery, 34th AAA Brigade (US)
62nd AAA Gun Battalion (US)
Detachment, HQ & HQ Battery, 80th AAA Group (US)
893rd AAA (AW) Battalion (SM)
Tank Destroyer
7ème Régiment de Chasseurs d'Afrique
8ème Régiment de Chasseurs d'Afrique
Engineer
Compagnie Topographique du Génie No. 31
101ème Régiment du Génie
Military Police
521ème Regulatrice Routiere
2e compagnie du 11e groupe de la Garde
Medical
401ème Hôpital d'Evacuation Organe de Réanimation et de Transfusion No. 441/3
405ème Hôpital d'Evacuation
432ème Bataillion Médical
451/1 Depot Avancé
422e Hôpital de Campagne
Ordnance
Etat-major du 651ème Bataillon de Réparation
Compagnie Moyenne de Réparation du Materiel No. 652/1
Compagnie Moyenne de Réparation Automobile No. 651/3
Compagnie Moyenne de Réparation Automobile No. 652/3
64e Compagnie de Munitions
65e Compagnie de Munitions
Quartermaster
1er bataillon du 8ème Régiment de Tirailleurs Sénégalais, Pioniers
Gestion de Subsistance d'Etapes No. 323
Gestion de Subsistance d'Etapes No. 325
Compagnie Mixte de Ravitaillement en Essence No. 704 (2 detachments)
Signal
61ème Bataillon de Transmissions de Corps d'Armée
6693rd Signal Detachment (Provisional) (US)
3 Detachments, 163rd Signal Photo Company (US)
806ème Bataillon de Construction
Detachment, Trans Armée "B"
Compagnie d' Exploitation 827/1
Station d'Ecoutes 828
Groupe de télégraphie militaire 829
Détachement du Parc de Transmissions No. 810 & Détachement de la Compagnie Technique de Transmissions No. 841
Transportation
11ème compagnie du Groupe de Transport No. 501
See main article: United States Eighth Fleet. Vice Admiral H. Kent Hewitt in amphibious force command ship Catoctin[9]
Control Group
Vice Admiral Hewitt
1 amphibious force flagship:
1 Gleaves-class destroyer (4 × 5-in. main battery):
8 s: , , , , , , ,
1 :
Special Operations Group
Captain H.C. Johnson
Western Diversionary Unit (Captain Johnson)
Landings west of Alpha beaches
1 Gleaves-class destroyer (4 × 5-in. main battery):
4 minelayers
8 PT boats
12 ASRC
Eastern Diversionary Unit (Lieutenant Commander Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., USNR)
Landings east of Camel beaches
4 gunboats , HMS Scarab, HMS Stuart Prince, HMS Antwerp
3 minelayers
4 PT boats
Rear Admiral Thomas Hope Troubridge, RN in light cruiser [10]
Task Group 88.1
Rear Admiral Troubridge
: 899 Naval Air Squadron (Supermarine Seafire fighters)
: 800 Naval Air Squadron (Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters)
: 882 Naval Air Squadron (Grumman F4F Wildcat fighters)
: 881 Naval Air Squadron (Grumman F4F Wildcat fighters)
: 879 Naval Air Squadron (Supermarine Seafire fighters)
2 anti-aircraft light cruisers:,
7 destroyers
5 T-class:,,,,
1 Type II Hunt-class:
Task Group 88.2
Rear Admiral Calvin T. Durgin, USN
: VOF-01 (Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters)
: VF-74 (Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters)
: 807 Naval Air Squadron (Supermarine Seafire fighters)
: 809 Naval Air Squadron (Supermarine Seafire fighters)
2 antiaircraft light cruisers:,
6 destroyers
5 Gleaves-class (4 × 5-in. main battery):,,,,
1 Benson-class (5 × 5-in. main battery):
6 British minelayers
Captain J.P. Clay[11]
40 destroyers
21 Hunt-class,,,,,,,,,, ', HHMS Kriti,, HMS Catterick,, HHMS Themistoklis,, HHMS Pindos
9 Gleaves-class (4 × 5-in. main battery):,,,,, , , ,
4 Benson-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): , , ,
1 Somers-class (8 × 5-in. main battery):
5 French destroyers: Le Fortuné, Forbin, Simoun, Tempête, Alcyon
4 Buckley-class (3 × 3-in. main battery): , , ,
2 Edsall-class (3 × 3-in. main battery): ,
7 corvettes
5 French: Marocain, Tunisien, Hova, Algérien, Somali
2 British:, HMS Columbine
6 French sloops: Commandant Domine, La Moqueuse, Commandant Bory, La Gracieuse, Commandant Delage, La Boudeuse
12 minesweepers
6 Admirable-class:,,,,,
6 yard minesweepers
Parachute and commando landings night of 14–15 August
1st Airborne Task Force
Brigadier General Robert T. Frederick
HQ & HQ Company, 1st Airborne Task Force
517th Parachute Infantry Regiment[12]
1st Battalion
2nd Battalion
3rd Battalion
460th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion
596th Airborne Engineer Company
509th Parachute Infantry Battalion
550th Airborne Infantry Battalion (Glider)
1st Battalion, 551st Parachute Infantry Regiment (Reinforced)
463rd Airborne Field Artillery Battalion
602d Glider Field Artillery Battalion (75mm Pack)
887th Airborne Engineer Aviation Company
512th Airborne Signal Company
Antitank Company, 442d Infantry Regiment:
552nd Antitank Company
Company A, 2nd Chemical Mortar Battalion
Company D (airborne), 83d Chemical Mortar Battalion
676th Medical Collecting Company
Provisional Airborne Military Police Platoon
Provisional Pathfinder Detachment
172d Detail Issues Depot British Heavy Aerial Resupply Company
334th Quartermaster Depot Company(-)
3358th Quartermaster Truck Company
Detachment, 3d Ordnance Company (Medium Maintenance)
British 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group
5th (Scottish) Parachute Battalion
6th (Royal Welch) Parachute Battalion
127th (Parachute) Field Ambulance
300th Airlanding Anti-tank Battery Royal Artillery
64th Airlanding Battery Royal Artillery
2nd Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers
2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group Signal Company Royal Signals
1st Independent Glider Squadron Army Air Corps
23rd Independent Platoon Army Air Corps (Pathfinders)
2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group Company Royal Army Service Corps
751st Parachute Brigade Company Royal Army Service Corps
T Company Royal Army Service Corps
2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group Workshop Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group Provost Section Royal Military Police
US-Canadian 1st Special Service Force(-)
French Groupe de Commandos(-)
Commandos d'Afrique (750 men)
Groupe Naval d'Assault de la Marine en Corse (67 men)
Rear Admiral Lyal A. Davidson in heavy cruiser Augusta[13]
Gunfire Support Group
Rear Admiral Davidson
1
4 destroyers
1 Somers-class (6 × 5-in. main battery):
1 Gleaves-class (4 × 5-in. main battery):
1 L-class:
1 Hunt-class: HHMS Themistoklis
3 light cruisers: , ,
Transport Group
Rear Admiral Theodore E. Chandler
Unit A
2 destroyer transports: , HMS Prince Baudoin
1 PT boat: PT-201
Unit B
4 destroyer transports: , , ,
4 PT boats
Romeo Unit
, HMS Prins Albert,
4 PT boats
Screen
8 PT boats
Minesweeper Group
5 British: , HMS Clinton, HMS Octavia, HMS Stormcloud, HMS Welfare
4 minelayers
1 danlayer: HMS Kintyre
Landings near St. Tropez, 15 August
3rd Infantry "Rock of the Marne" Division
See main article: 3rd Infantry Division (United States). Major General John W. O'Daniel
Organic Units
HHC & Special Troops
3rd Military Police Platoon
3rd Signal Company
3rd Quartermaster Company
3rd Counter Intelligence Corps Detachment
3rd Mechanized Reconnaissance Troop
703rd Ordnance Light Maintenance Company
10th Engineer Combat Battalion
3rd Medical Battalion
Infantry
Artillery
9th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm Howitzer)
10th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm Howitzer)
39th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm Howitzer)
41st Field Artillery Battalion (155mm Howitzer)
3rd Infantry Division Beach Group
36th Engineer Combat Regiment
1st Naval Beach Battalion
72nd Signal Company (Special)
Detachment, 207th Signal Depot Company
Detachment, 177th Signal Repair Company
HQ & HQ Detachment, 52nd Medical Battalion
376th Medical Collecting Company
377th Medical Collecting Company
378th Medical Collecting Company
682nd Medical Collecting Company
1st Plat & HQ Detachment, 616th Medical Clearing Company
Detachment, Boat Guards
157th Military Police Prisoner of War Detachment
706th Military Police Prisoner of War Detachment
790th Military Police Prisoner of War Detachment
Detachment, 377th Military Police Escort Guard Company
Company A, 759th Military Police Battalion
1st Platoon, 21st Chemical Decontamination Company (Smoke Troops)
Detachment, 63rd Chemical Depot Company
3rd Platoon, 450th Engineer Depot Company
69th Ordnance Ammunition Company
Detachment, 77th Ordnance Depot Company
Detachment, 977th Ordnance Depot Company
3407th Ordnance Medium Automotive Maintenance Company (DUKW)
6690th Regulating Company
HQ & HQ Detachment, 530th Quartermaster Battalion
4133rd Quartermaster Service Company
4134th Quartermaster Service Company
4135th Quartermaster Service Company
4136th Quartermaster Service Company
3277th Quartermaster Service Company
3357th Quartermaster Truck Company
3634th Quartermaster Truck Company
HQ & HQ Detachment, 52nd Quartermaster Battalion (Mobile)
3333rd Quartermaster Truck Company (DUKW)
3334th Quartermaster Truck Company (DUKW)
3325th Quartermaster Truck Company (DUKW)
3336th Quartermaster Truck Company (DUKW)
3353rd Quartermaster Truck Company (DUKW)
3355th Quartermaster Truck Company (DUKW)
Section, 3856th Quartermaster Gas Supply Company
1 Platoon, 93rd Quartermaster Railhead Company
332nd Air Force Beach Detail
111th Beach Section, RAF
Task Force 84[14]
Rear Admiral Frank J. Lowry in Coast Guard cutter Duane
Force Flagship Group
1 Coast Guard cutter:
1 fighter director ship:
1 LCI-953
1 subchaser: PC-1169
Assault Groups
Red Beach Assault Group
46 LCI, 25 LST, 7 LCC, 43 LCT, 11 LCM, 1 LCG, 1 LCF, 7 LCS, 4 British AM, 5 PC
Yellow Beach Assault Group
2 attack transports: ,
2 transports: ,
3 attack freighters: , , HMS Highway
6 SC, 4 PC, 3 LCC, 6 LST, 9 LCI, 1 LCG, 1 LCF, 17 LCT, 9 LCM, 6 LCS, 4 British AM
Gunfire Support Group (Rear Admiral J. M. Mansfield, RN)
1 battleship:
1 heavy cruiser:
5 light cruisers: , , , , French
6 destroyers
4 Gleaves-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): , , ,
2 T-class: ,
Minesweeper Group
4 Auk-class: , , ,
6 SC, 10 YMS, 8 British and 6 French AM, 2 LCC, 2 danlayers
1 minelayer:
Salvage and Firefighting Group
Fleet tug , 1 ATA, British tugs Empire Spitfire, Empire Ann, 1 boom vessel, 1 ATR, 1 YTB, 1 YTL, 1 FT
Landings near St. Maxime, 15 August
45th Infantry "Thunderbird" Division
See main article: 45th Infantry Division (United States). Major General William W. Eagles
Organic units
HHC & Special Troops
45th Military Police Platoon
45th Signal Company
45th Quartermaster Company
45th Counter Intelligence Corps Detachment
45th Mechanized Reconnaissance Troop
700th Ordnance Light Maintenance Company
120th Engineer Combat Battalion
120th Medical Battalion
Infantry
Artillery
158th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm Howitzer)
160th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm Howitzer)
171st Field Artillery Battalion (105mm Howitzer)
189th Field Artillery Battalion (155mm Howitzer)
45th Infantry Division Beach Group
40th Engineer Combat Regiment
4th Naval Beach Battalion
71st Signal Company (Special)
Detachment, 207th Signal Depot Company
Detachment, 177th Signal Repair Company
HQ & HQ Detachment, 58th Medical Battalion
388th Medical Collecting Company
389th Medical Collecting Company
390th Medical Collecting Company
514th Medical Clearing Company
2nd Platoon, 616th Clearing Company
Company B, 759th Military Police Battalion
1 Section, 377th Prisoner of War Escort Guard Company
Detachment, Boat Guards
133rd Provisional Prisoner of War Detachment
175th Provisional Prisoner of War Detachment
191st Provisional Prisoner of War Detachment
3rd Platoon, 21st Chemical Decontamination Company (Smoke Troops)
Detachment, 63rd Chemical Depot Company
2nd Platoon, 450th Engineer Depot Company
682nd Ordnance Ammunition Company
Detachment, 77th Ordnance Depot Company
Detachment, 977th Ordnance Depot Company
3487th Ordnance Medium Automotive Maintenance Company (DUKW)
3633rd Quartermaster Truck Company
Detachment, 6690th Regulating Company
HQ & HQ Detachment, 147th Quartermaster Battalion (Mobile)
829th Amphibian Truck Company
830th Amphibian Truck Company
831st Amphibian Truck Company
832nd Amphibian Truck Company
1 Section, 3894th Quartermaster Gas Supply Company
HQ & HQ Detachment, 240th Quartermaster Battalion
3250th Quartermaster Service Company
3251st Quartermaster Service Company
3252nd Quartermaster Service Company
3253rd Quartermaster Service Company
4053rd Quartermaster Service Company
Platoon, 94th Quartermaster Railhead Company
3425th Quartermaster Truck Company
Air Force Beach Detail
110th Beach Section, RAF
Task Force 85[15]
Rear Admiral Bertram J. Rodgers in amphibious force flagship Biscayne
Force Flagship Group
Force flagship:
1 Gleaves-class (4 × 5-in. main battery) destroyer:
1 fighter-director tender
Transport Group (Captain R.A. Dierdorff)
6 transports:,,,,,
2 attack freighters:,
British LSP Dilwara, LSI HMS Ascania, Landing Ship Gantry RFA Ennerdale (carrying LCM).
3 destroyers
2 Gleaves-class (4 × 5-in. main battery):,
1 Benson-class (5 × 5-in. main battery):
2 Buckley-class destroyer escorts (3 × 3-in. main battery):,
Assault Groups
Red Beach Assault Group: 10 LST, 6 LCI, 7 LCT, 1 LCG, I LCF, 4 LCS, 2 LCM(R), 2 SC, 2 LCC; 1 LCM
Green Beach Assault Group: 5 LST, 5 LCI, 7 LCT, 4 LCS, 2 LCM, 2 SC, 1 LCC
Yellow Beach Assault Group: 2 LST, 2 LCI, 26 LCVP, 4 LCS, 4 LCT, 3 LCM, 1 SC, 1 LCC
Blue Beach Assault Group: 1 LST, 26 LCVP, 16 LCT, 1 LCG, 1 LCF, 4 LCS, 3 LCM, 1 PC, 1 LCC, 1 LCI
Corps and Division Reserve Groups: 5 LST, 20 LCI, 18 LCT, I FT
Gunfire Support Group (Rear Admiral C.F. Bryant)
2 battleships:,
1 light cruiser:
2 French light cruisers:,
8 Gleaves-class (4 × 5-in. main battery) destroyers:,,,,,,,
3 French large destroyers:,,
Minesweeper Group
8 minesweepers
2 Auk-class:,
6 British: HMS Rinaldo, HMS Antares, HMS Arcturus,,,
2 danlayers: Satsa, Calm
Combat and Firefighting Group
5 fleet tugs:,, HMS Aspirant, HMS Athlete, HMS Charon
1 ATA, 2 YTL
Landings at St. Raphael, 15 August
36th Infantry "Arrowhead" Division
See main article: 36th Infantry Division (United States). Major General John E. Dahlquist
Organic units
HHC & Special Troops
36th Military Police Platoon
36th Signal Company
36th Quartermaster Company
36th Counter Intelligence Corps Detachment
36th Mechanized Reconnaissance Troop
736th Ordnance Light Maintenance Company
111th Engineer Combat Battalion
111th Medical Battalion
Infantry
Artillery
131st Field Artillery Battalion (105mm Howitzer)
132nd Field Artillery Battalion (105mm Howitzer)
133rd Field Artillery Battalion (105mm Howitzer)
155th Field Artillery Battalion (155mm Howitzer)
36th Infantry Division Beach Group
540th Engineer Combat Regiment
48th Engineer Combat Battalion
8th Naval Beach Battalion
74th Signal Company (Special)
Detachment, 207th Signal Depot Company
Detachment, 177th Signal Repair Company
HQ & HQ Detachment, 56th Medical Battalion
885th Medical Collecting Company
886th Medical Collecting Company
887th Medical Collecting Company
891st Medical Clearing Company
1st Platoon, 638th Clearing Company
Co. C, 759th Military Police Battalion
1 Section, 377th Prisoner of War Escort Guard Company
Detachment, Boat Guards
192nd Provisional Military Police Prisoner of War Detachment
601st Provisional Military Police Prisoner of War Detachment
3rd Platoon, 21st Chemical Decontamination Company (Smoke Troops)
Detachment, 63rd Chemical Depot Company
1st Platoon, 450th Engineer Depot Company
603rd Ordnance Ammunition Company
Detachment, 77th Ordnance Depot Company
Detachment, 977th Ordnance Depot Company
3405th Ordnance Medium Automotive Maintenance Company (DUKW)
Detachment, 6690th Regulating Company
1 Section, 3894th Quartermaster Gas Supply Company
2nd Platoon, 94th Quartermaster Railhead Co
HQ & HQ Detachment, 53rd Quartermaster Battalion (Mobile)
3337th Quartermaster Truck Company (DUKW)
3338th Quartermaster Truck Company (DUKW)
3339th Quartermaster Truck Company (DUKW)
3340th Quartermaster Truck Company (DUKW)
3354th Quartermaster Truck Company (DUKW)
3356th Quartermaster Truck Company (DUKW)
HQ & HQ Detachment, 259th Quartermaster Battalion
3286th Quartermaster Service Company
3287th Quartermaster Service Company
3288th Quartermaster Service Company
3289th Quartermaster Service Company
3299th Quartermaster Service Company
3300th Quartermaster Service Company
3427th Quartermaster Truck Company
3360th Quartermaster Truck Company
Air Force Beach Detail
111th Brick Section, RAF
Task Force 87[16]
Rear Admiral Spencer S. Lewis
Force Flagship Group
1 attack transport:
British LCH-3l5
Assault Groups
Red Beach Assault Group
2 attack transports:,
3 transports: ,,
3 attack freighters:,,
5 LCI, 3 LST, 21 LCT, 20 LCVP, 9 LCS, 3 LCC, 1 LCG, 1 LCF, 2 LCM, 3 SC, 2 PC; 1 LSI (Br.), 1 LSD (Br.)
Green Beach Assault Group
23 LCI, I LCH, 14 LST, 21 LCT, 7 LCVP, 7 LCS, 3 LCC, 1 LCG, 1 LCF, 2 LCM, 2 PC, 2 SC
Blue Beach Assault Group
5 LST, 1 LCI, 3 LCS, 2 LCT, 2 SC, 1 PC
Escort and Screening Group
Destroyers from Bombardment Group
6 PC, 10 SC, 1 LST, 2 LCF, 1 LSF, 1 LCC, 5 LCS, 5 LCVP, 1 LCT, 2 LCM
Bombardment Group
Rear Admiral Morton L. Deyo
1 battleship:
1 heavy cruiser:
5 light cruisers:,,, French cruisers,
11 destroyers
8 Benson-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): , , , , , , ,
3 Gleaves-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): , ,
Minesweeper Group
4 Auk-class: , , ,
6 YMS, 6 BYMS, 2 danlayers, 6 British ML, 12 British AM, HMS Product
Salvage and Firefighting Group
2 fleet ocean tugs:,
1 U.S., 2 British ATA, 1 YTB, 3 LCI, 1 LCT, 4 LCM, 1 boom vessel, 1 YTL
Major General John K. Cannon
See also: XII Tactical Air Command. Brigadier General Gordon P. Saville[17]
1st Fighter Group (Lockheed P-38 Lightning) (on loan to MATAF 12–20 August 1944)
14th Fighter Group (P-38 Lightning) (on loan to MATAF 12–20 August 1944)
27th Fighter Group (Republic P-47 Thunderbolt)
57th Fighter Group (P-47 Thunderbolt)
79th Fighter Group (P-47 Thunderbolt)
86th Fighter Group (P-47 Thunderbolt)
324th Fighter Group (P-47 Thunderbolt)
No. 251 Wing RAF (Supermarine Spitfire IX)
No. 322 Wing RAF (Supermarine Spitfire IX)
No. 324 Wing RAF (Supermarine Spitfire IX)
47th Bombardment Group (Douglas A-20 Havoc)
111th Reconnaissance Squadron (F-6A Mustang)
415th Night Fighter Squadron (Beaufighter VI)
No. 225 Squadron RAF (Spitfire V)
II/33 Escadrille (Spitfire V)
Quartieme Escadre (P-47 Thunderbolt)
310th Bombardment Group (North American B-25 Mitchell)
321st Bombardment Group (B-25 Mitchell)
340th Bombardment Group (B-25 Mitchell)
5th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (F-5 Lightning)
23d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (F-5 Lightning)
No. 682 Squadron RAF (Supermarine Spitfire XI)
17th Bombardment Group Martin B-26 Marauder
319th Bombardment Group (B-26 Marauder)
320th Bombardment Group (B-26 Marauder)
31e Escadre (B-26 Marauder)
31st Fighter Group P-51 Mustang (Escorts for airborne operations)
325th Fighter Group P-51 Mustang (Escorts for airborne operations)
Air Vice-Marshal Hugh Pughe Lloyd[18]
No. 326 (GC 2/7 Nice) (Spitfire V and IX)
No. 327 (GC 1/3 Corse) (Spitfire IX)
No. 328 (GC 1/7 Provence) (Spitfire V and IX)
417th Night Fighter Squadron (Beaufighter VI)
VOC-01 (Grumman F6F Hellcat, Grumman TBF Avenger)
345th Fighter Squadron (Bell P-39 Airacobra)
346th Fighter Squadron (P-39 Airacobra)
347th Fighter Squadron (P-39 Airacobra)
No. 272 Squadron RAF (Beaufighter X)
414th Night Fighter Squadron (Beaufighter VI)
No. 256 Squadron RAF (Mosquito XII and XIII)
No. 153 Squadron RAF (Beaufighter VI)
No. 458 Squadron RAAF (Wellington XIV)
No. 36 Squadron RAF (Wellington XIV)
No. 17 Squadron SAAF (Lockheed Ventura V)
4S Squadron (Supermarine Walrus)
No. 14 Squadron RAF (Marauder I, II and III)
Brigadier General Paul L. Williams[19]
50th Troop Carrier Wing (C-47 Skytrain)
51st Troop Carrier Wing (C-47 Skytrain)
53rd Troop Carrier Wing (C-47 Skytrain)
See main article: Army Group G. Generaloberst Johannes Blaskowitz
General der Infanterie Friedrich Wiese
IV Luftwaffe Field Corps
General der Infanterie Baptist Knieß
338th Infantry Division (Generalleutnant René l'Homme de Courbiére)
244th Infantry Division (Generalleutnant Hans Schaefer)
General der Infanterie Ferdinand Neuling
242nd Infantry Division (Generalleutnant Johannes Baessler)
148th Reserve Division (Generalmajor Otto Fretter-Pico)
159th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht) as 159th Reserve Division
Army Reserve
11th Panzer Division (Generalmajor Wend von Wietersheim)
158th Reserve Division
See main article: Luftflotte 2.
2nd Flieger-Division
Kommandierender Admiral der französische Südküste
6. Sicherungsflotille