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The Battle of Toulon (1944) refers to the combat and other actions in World War II from August 20–26, 1944 which led to the liberation of Toulon by French forces under the command of General Edgard de Larminat. ==Background== Toulon was the main port for the French Navy ((フランス語:Marine nationale), "national navy"), informally フランス語:"La Royale". It holds a special place in the hearts of all Frenchmen, dating back to the rise of Napoleon at the Siege of Toulon in 1793 when Captain Bonaparte was put in charge of the artillery and using his skills, successfully captured the port rom the Royalists. Operation Anton, the German occupation of Vichy France, began on 10 November 1942, on the 27th November German troops attacked the port of Toulon, with the intention of seizing the French fleet, the subsequent fight lasted just long enough to scuttle the 75 warships, the pride of France. After the successful execution of Operation Overlord, the Normandy landings, attention shifted to the south. Most ports in the north were unusable, or too heavily fortified (e.g. Cherbourg, Brest, Lorient, Saint Nazaire), which made seizure and control of the French ports at Marseille and Toulon increasingly attractive.〔Yeide (2007), p. 14〕 The French leaders pressed for an invasion in southern France, too. Finally, after many delays, on 14 July 1944, Operation Dragoon was authorized by the Allied Combined Chiefs of Staff.〔Yeide (2007), p. 13〕〔Zaloga (2009), p. 6-7〕 Toulon was not a good target for an amphibious assault, it was well defended from a seaborne assault, so it would have to be taken from the land. The land approaches were also defended. A 700m high hill provided excellent artillery and observation positions. Ridges nearby were protected by French pillboxes. In 1941-2, as a token of goodwill to the Germans, the Government of Vichy France strengthened the defences.〔 These defences were strengthened further by the Germans who took equipment off the scuttled French fleet ships, installing two 340mm turrets and 75 medium sized guns along the coast.〔 On 13 August 1944 as part of Operation Nutmeg, the 17th Bombardment Group attacked Toulon Harbour twice, with Martin B-26 Marauder aircraft, experiencing heavy anti aircraft fire.〔 The groundwork was laid by the Allied invasion of southern France in Operation Dragoon on 15 August 1944 by the United States Seventh Army under General Patch, with support from the French First Army. Patch gave the order to General Jean de Lattre de Tassigny to take the cities of Toulon and Marseille, which were to be attacked simultaneously with de Larminat in charge of attacking Toulon. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Battle of Toulon (1944)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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