Landing in Provence Celebrations
Celebrations of the 67th anniversary of the landing in Provence in Théoule
From August 14 to 16, 2011, ceremonies commemorating the 67th anniversary of the landing in Provence were held in Théoule sur Mer. Indeed, it is on August 15, 1944 in Théoule sur Mer, at the tip of the Esquillon that allied forces decided to choose this place as a single point of landing in the Alpes Maritimes. In tribute to this historic date, as every year, the city of Théoule organizes a commemoration in the presence of U.S. authorities. On August 14, in the City Hall Council Room, Mayor Daniel Mansanti welcomed the crews of two warships that anchored in the bay to participate in the ceremonies of the 67th anniversary of the landing in Provence : the French fleet infantry and tanks landing ship, L'Hallebarde and the American tanks carrier, USS Mount Whitney, Sixth Fleet flagship in the Mediterranean, regarded as the most effective command ship in communications, computing and intelligence. With a capacity of 1,000 officers and sailors, USS Mount Whitney, is an advanced command ship in strategic position on the theater of operations and is capable of carrying two helicopters and amphibious vehicles. With a length of 194 meters and a width 33 meters, she is equipped with an ultra-sophisticated equipment enabling her to fulfill her mission of unity of command. The mayor welcomed the crew members, Rear Admiral Kenneth Norton (Deputy Chief of Staff of United States naval forces, responsible for the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean), and paid tribute to commanders the two vessels, Maître Principal Olivier Payet and Captain Jeffrey S. Ruth (commanding USS Mount Whitney), Captain Robert C. Buzzell (attached to the U.S. Embassy in Paris). They proceeded to the traditional exchange of arms and heraldry. At the end of the ceremony, Daniel Mansanti thanked all the crews and paid tribute to all the combatants. Then the mayor, elected officials and crews went to the cross of Lorraine for a ceremony.
The next morning, on August 15, the officials embarked on the Hallebarde where a mass was celebrated by Father Chalard, attended by the Ambassador of the United States in France, Charles H. Rivkin and many personalities. After a moment of meditation in front of the tip of the Esquillon, several sprays of flowers were thrown into the sea before the eyes of civil and military authorities and the public to honor the memory of fallen ones in Théoule. This was followed on the ground by a military parade, with French and American detachments, veterans associations, the Provencal jousters and standard bearers to the rhythm of the Nice firefighters band. On the General Bertrand place, in front of the Town Hall, Daniel Mansanti, in the presence of David Lisnard, deputy mayor of Cannes and Dominique-Claire Mallemanche, sub-prefect of Grasse, welcomed the arrival of the Ambassador of the United States in France, and in his speech, promised that there would be, on every August 15, in the Bay of Théoule, an American ship present for the ceremonies of Landing in Provence. During his speech the mayor recalled the "Operation Dragoon" forecast at 8:00 a.m. on August 15, 1944, which was to take place on two areas, one west and one east of the tip of the Esquillon in Miramar. Many American soldiers died in the days following the operation. Then it was David Lisnard's turn to speak, stressing the French-American friendship and the commitment of French forces in the world. In his speech, the United States ambassador said he was very moved by the celebration dedicated to the event, and finally the sub-prefect saluted the courage of the young Americans of the time who died in fights. The speech ended by recalling the current Franco-American commitment in the fight against terrorism. In the evening, at 9:30 p.m. a firework was offered to the public followed at 10:00 p.m. by a Grand Ball Place Général Bertrand.
On August 16, at the conclusion of the three-day commemoration of the 67th anniversary of the landing in Provence, a ceremony presided by Captain Michel Raymond, President of the National Combatant Union, Théoule section, assisted by Colonel Albert Ordan, Delegate of the Free France Foundation. This commemoration celebrated the liberation of Théoule by U.S. forces on August 16,1944, a commando is the 141st Infantry Regiment, after a terrible battle, freed the city, thus becoming the first town in the department to be taken over by the Allies. Nine soldiers lost their lives, a memorial plaque on the Place du General Bertrand tributes to them. Mayor Daniel Mansanti recalled that these brave soldiers, far from their homeland and their families, have freed us from Nazi oppression and barbarism. Michel Raymondie told he had towards these heroes an infinite gratitude. The ceremony ended with a minute of silence, then by French and American anthems. In the evening at 8:30 p.m. an great aïoli and a show by the Salsa group Soneros De Fe at the Pointe de l'Aiguille Beach closed three days of festivities in honor of the commemoration of the landing in Provence.
Ceremony on August 16
The grand aïoli