15/8/1944. 6.= pm. Grisewood
The landing has taken place between Marseilles
and Nice. 800 Allied ships under the flags
of various of the United Nations took part and
also 13000 airborne troops.
The invasion on the South Coast of France started
just after dawn today when 800 vessels were
closing in on the coast. At 12.10 today the first
news about the landing was given and followed
by a proclamation by Sir Maitland Wilson.
Immediately after that news Godfrey Talbot
reported early this morning that he had flown
over the beaches and said the invasion
is a very big thing and can be compared
with the Normandy invasion.
At 10 to 7 the naval bombardment
started and the infantry went ashore at
8 o'clock. A little before 6 tonight a special
communique was issued saying that
by mid morning everything had gone
according to plan. There was no opposition
in the air. The Germans report a landing
24 miles to the east of Toulon. The strength of
the Germans in Southern France is not known.
In Northern France the Normandy pocket is
being pressed tighter. Canadian troops are
now within 2 1/2 miles of Falaise. The
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