English

The AAF in the Invasion of Southern France

Foreword The AAF in the Invasion of Southern France tells how the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces, under the command of Lt. Gen. Ira Eaker, supported the Allied airborne and amphibious assault designed to undercut German defenses in Occupied France. In this invasion — the fourth major one in three months — American air power overwhelmed the meager enemy forces and diverted attention from the north, helping to topple German control in Vichy. Air operations persistently found, fixed, and fought occupying German forces, preventing their orderly withdrawal, greatly easing the way for Allied invasion forces. TABLE OF CONTENTS Pre-Invasion Situation i Operations 10 Air Operations 19 The Airborne Operation 24 Mapping and Reconnaissance 41 The Air Command Post Afloat 46 Summary of MASAF Operations 57 ILLUSTRATIONS Over-All Assault Plan Frontispiece Counter Air Targets 9 Attack on Coastal Position ; . 12-15 Post-Attack View of Nice M/Y 20 Operations D-5 to 0350 Hours D-Day 28-29 Troop Carrier Formation 32 Removing Antiglider Obstacles 35 Advance of Ground Forces 39 Dropping Paratroops During Invasion 42 Attack on Battleship Dunkerque 47-49 Communication Targets 54 Run-in Overlay 58 MASAF Op

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