August 1944

Western Front

The US 7th Army directs the VI Corps to seize Aix-en-Provence while French Army B continues its drives on the ports of Toulon and Marseille and takes responsibility for the region south of Highway 7. In the VI Corps area, the 3rd Division completes the capture of Brignoles and hurries westward along Highway 7 toward Aix-en-Provence. The 179th Infantry, 45th Division, overcomes opposition at Barjols opening a route to the lower Durance Valley, then continues to advance to Rians. The main body of TF Butler crosses the Durance at Oraison and moves northward along the west bank of the Sisteron. Detachments moving northward from Riez and long the east bank of the Durance to intercept enemy forces moving southward from Grenoble converge on Digne, where the enemy surrenders. The 141st Infantry, 36th Division, clears Callian after indecisive fighting throughout the day. In the French Army B's II Corps area, the 1st Armored Divisionis protecting the left flank of the corps. The Algerian 3rd Division, after driving through Méounes, on the northern road to Marseille, splits into 3 groups, called Linares, Bonjour, and Chapuis, with the Linares Group turning southward into the hills north of Toulon. The 9th Colonial Division starts westward from the Collobrières area to outflank the enemy in the Hyères-Toulon region from the north. On the southern flank, the 1st Division moves along the coastal road toward Hyères until stopped by heavy fire near the town. Elements of the division are then sent to the north to outflank the enemy.