President Emmanuel Macron commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Provence landings at Boulouris-sur-Mer in Var on August 15, 2024. The French flag fluttered gently under the threatening grey sky as the French Army Choir sang Les Commandos d’Afrique. The cemetery at Boulouris-sur-Mer, located at the entrance to the Estérel forest, houses the graves of 464 soldiers of various origins and faiths who died during the Provence landings on August 15, 1944. Each grave bears the name, unit, rank, religion, date of death, and the inscription “Died for France”.
This memorial site, inaugurated by General de Gaulle in 1964, was revisited by Emmanuel Macron on the 80th anniversary of the Provence landings. The operation, unknown to many and overshadowed by the D-Day landings in Normandy, involved 100,000 American, Canadian, and British soldiers who hastened the victory over Nazi Germany by surrounding and defeating occupying forces. Initially named “Anvil”, the operation was renamed “Anvil-Dragoon” by Churchill, who was initially opposed to it. The Allied landings paved the way for over 250,000 soldiers of the “B army” under General de Lattre de Tassigny, who quickly retook Toulon and Marseille within two weeks, partially redeeming the defeat of 1940.
The “First Army” consisted mainly of troops from French colonies in Africa, with 84,000 soldiers from North Africa, 12,000 Free French Forces loyal to de Gaulle, 12,000 Corsicans, 130,000 Muslim soldiers from Algeria and Morocco, and 12,000 colonial soldiers including Tirailleurs Senegalais and marines from the Pacific and the Caribbean. Emmanuel Macron highlighted the diversity of these soldiers, emphasizing that they had never set foot in mainland France before being sent to liberate the country. Despite their different backgrounds, they came together as the nation’s army, representing a fervent and diverse force.
Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to the soldiers by recognizing their names and backgrounds, acknowledging their contribution to the liberation of France. The President described them as the most fervent and diverse army, united in their goal despite their differences in generation, faith, and origins. The soldiers hailed from various regions and backgrounds, yet they stood together as the nation’s army, fighting for the freedom of France during a crucial moment in history.
The commemoration at Boulouris-sur-Mer served as a reminder of the sacrifices made by these soldiers during the Provence landings, often overlooked in history. Their courage and dedication played a crucial role in the Allies’ victory over Nazi Germany, marking a significant turning point in World War II. As President Macron and veterans gathered at the site, they honored the memory of those who gave their lives for France, ensuring that their contributions will never be forgotten.
