SOUTHERN FRANCE - August 15, 1944

Operation Dragoon

On 15 August 1944, American gliders from airfields near Rome and other airfields extending down some 150 miles of the Italian coast, strike in the Argens River valley to isolate German units in the coastal area of Southern France.

"Then we came in over the landing zone. There was no mistaking it this time. Hollywood never made a scene like this. I was given a perfect tow over the center of the field at 500 feet. We had a bird's-eye view of the burning planes, smashed gliders, collapsed parachutes, shell bursts, -- men running, dodging, dying. The whole panorama of war - with our reinforcements being funneled into it, like circling down the cone of a tornado to the point of contact with the ground"  

Units involved in Southern France:

62nd Troop Carrier Group
64th Troop Carrier Group
435th Troop Carrier Group

76th Southern France narative and Crew Lists

Glider Pilot's returning after flying gliders to landing zone.

Following report is from the Headquarters 64th Troop Carrier Group, Officer of the Operations Officer, APO 650, US Army, 21 August 1944
SUBJECT: Report on glider Mission DOVE
TO: Commanding Officer, 64th TC Group (Attention: S-2)

In accordance with request the following report is submitted. The report is based on interrogation of the glider pilots who returned.

Glider pilots have reached the Riviera beach for evacuation back to Italy. A great photo taken by Capt. Draper, 442nd Troop Carrier Group. --Airborne Troop Carrier