Operation Romeo

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Operation Romeo was a French commando operation to disable German artillery atop the cliffs of Cap Nègre. The operation happened the evening before Operation Dragoon, the main invasion of Southern France. The force consisted of 800 French commandos of Le 1er Commando Français de l'Afrique du Nord (English:First French Commando of North Africa), commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Georges-Régis Bouvet. The attacking flotilla included the command ship HMCS Prince David, HMCS Prince Henry, HMS Princess Beatrix, HMS Prins Albert and 4 U.S. motor torpedo boats.^[1]

At 0130 15 August, 95 commandos in landing craft from Prince David beached first, while the remainder of the force waited off shore. The commandos had to climb a 350 feet (107 m) tall cliff to reach their objective. Half an hour later they sent word back that the enemy gun positions had been silenced. The main body of Romeo then came into beach. About 700 commandos then moved quickly and soon were established across the main road between Toulon and the Riviera.^[2] 300 German soldiers were killed and 700 were taken prisoner. The French commandos suffered 11 men killed and 50 wounded. The force held its position until relieved by VI Corps from the east on August 15, 1944.

[edit] Notes

^ Boutillier, James, A. RCN in Retrospect 1910 - 1968. University of British Columbia Press, Vancouver & London. Chapter 8, Princes Three: Canada's use of Armed Merchant Cruisers during World War II, (Fraser M. McKee), page 133
^ Schull, Joseph. Far Distant Ships, An official Account of Canadian Operations in World War II. Stoddart. page 236 and page 363

[edit] References

Blumenson, Martin. "Southern France's D-Day", World War II: Liberation. Alexandria, Virginia: Time Life Books Inc.. ISBN 0-8094-2512-2.
Boutillie, James A.. RCN in Retrospect 1910 - 1968. Vancouver & London.: University of British Columbia Press.
Schull, Joseph. Far Distant Ships, An official Account of Canadian Operations in World War II. Toronto: Stoddart. ISBN 0-7737-2160-6.