Book Description

Defeat and Triumph tells the story of the still controversial, important, dramatic but little known Allied invasion of the French Riviera on August 15, 1944. This was known as Operation Anvil and later renamed Operation Dragoon. Notwithstanding the massive opposition of Winston Churchill, his military advisors, and many notable American generals, Dragoon happened. After suffering four years of humiliating and devastating defeat, French men and women were assisted by their American and British Allies and this invasion ensured World War II victory in Europe. Defeat and Triumph: The Story of a Controversial Allied Invasion and French Rebirth thoroughly analyzes the pros and cons of Dragoon. The book provides a panoramic history of Operation Dragoon and related events in France, Germany, Great Britain, the United States, and the Mediterranean from 1940-1945. The author is in the unique position of having served on Day of Dragoon as Helmsman of LST 1012 (Landing Ship Tank).The LST 1012 participated in the most dangerous and tragic event of the invasion. He has gathered and analyzed a treasure trove of previously unpublished American, British, French and German archival materials, diaries, letters, periodical articles, maps and interviews.