12115/57

Unknown photographer: An original b/w press photograph of German soldiers in a town in Southern France surrendering to the American invasion forces. Front with cropping instructions in black and retouchings in black and white. Back with notes and related newspaper article dated August 18, 1944. Photo size 20.5×24.5 cm. Frame size 33×43 cm.

A modern army is nothing without fuel.

“Operation Dragoon” was the code name for the landing operation of the Allied invasion of Provence (Southern France) on August 15, 1944. The landing took place between Toulon and Cannes. The Allied forces met much less German resistance than expected, which resulted in a very speedy advance, something that led to a massive lack of fuel. The problem was so significant that the Allied generals several times were forced to be passive spectators while thousands of trucks, tanks and Jeeps* were in utter inactivity.

*A total of 11,000 Allied vehicles participated in the invasion of Southern France.

Condition

This is an original b/w press photograph from 1944, which shows several small surface fractures. Furthermore wavy surface. Furthermore normal signs of handling. Newspaper article on back has yellowed severely due to ageing/storage conditions.

Auction

Art, antiques & collector's items, 15 April 2021