National Museum of the U.S. Navy

Toulon, France

Not unlike Marseille, France, during Operation Dragoon, the naval port of Toulon was necessary for the Allied success to free Europe from the Germans.  Allied naval gunfire support and bombings were also a key part of the success.  Toulon was also freed by French Free Forces as a symbol of the French taking back their country.   On September 14, the city held a vast parade that signified the unity of the Allies and the success against the common enemy. 

Image:  80-G-247155:   Invasion of Southern France, August 1944.   High-ranking Allied officers honor the war dead at the War Memorial at Toulon.   Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collection of the National Archives.