FROM THE RT. HON. SIR MARTIN GILBERT, C.B.E., DLITT., LONDON, HISTORIAN
Dear Stephen Sussna,
I do Congratulate on Defeat and Triumph. I have read it with great interest and have learned a great deal from it.
If you ever have a visit to England in prospect, do let me know, and let us have a meal together.
Yours Sincerely,
Martin J. Gilbert
FROM JEFFREY E. PHILLIPS, BRIGADIER GENERAL, US ARMY
Steve, think the book is well and tightly written. Your sentences are brief – fog level is low, and while I cannot judge accuracy as well as someone familiar with the events, my sense is that you have been highly accurate and comprehensive. A readable history!
Jeff
FROM DON WOLFE, NAVAL OFFICER, LST 655,
OPERATION DRAGOON
August 15, 1944 – Sixty-Seven Years Later
In the March/April edition of the LST Scuttlebutt, I ran across a letter to the editor from a former quartermaster aboard the LST 1012 on the above date. He has recently written a book about the invasion of southern France. There are a few of you guys out there who will remember that event. His book is titled: Defeat and Triumph: The Story of a Controversial Allied Invasion and French Rebirth. He has received great book reviews and even earned the French Legion of Honor award.
He is now in the process of trying to produce a documentary film using his book material. He is also interested in hearing from invasion LST crew members or their family members about recollections of events of that day. I sent him and email after reading his letter and we’ve since talked on the phone several times. I’ve also sent him copies of material I had that related to the invasion – pages from the book and excerpts from earlier newsletter articles. His name is Stephen Sussna and he can be reached at (212) 683-5304 or his email address is stevesussna@cs.com. His mailing address: 111 East 30th Street, Apt. 8A New York City, NY 10016.
But let me tell you about his book – IT IS TREMENDOUS! You can’t imagine how much research he did and the details he has uncovered. He ties Operation Dragoon with other invasions that took place – North Africa, Sicily, Salerno, Anzio – the southern France invasion being the most important and the “capper” in the rebirth of France and the German defeat.
It is obvious that he had contact with many LST personnel as he was preparing his book because of the nature of the anecdotal material that he presents. Imagine how startled I was when I read this on page 341:
“John T. McCrea, of Miami, Florida was gunnery officer on the LST 655. He recalled that ‘as all 78 of the LSTs lined up as we made our way out of Naples, toward France – 39 ships in each of two column to the other, and on the prow sat a heavy figure with his hand up to form a “V” – and we realized it was Winston Churchill – come to bid good speed to the Forces.’”
The very next paragraph was provided by a boatswain’s mate from the the LST 914. He said:
“His ship left the United States on June 24, 1944; it crossed the Atlantic in a large convoy and proceeded through the Straits of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean. It was a pleasant and quiet trip except for a few submarine alerts. As the LST 914 passed through the straits, ‘Gibraltar looks the same as shown in the books. As we enter the Mediterranean Sea everyone is on the lookout for planes. So far, everything is going along smoothly. Between one and two in the morning, while on our way just off the coast of Oran, North Africa, general quarter sounded. This was our first air raid. I guess we were all pretty nervous when all the firing started. It was just like the Fourth of July. One of the planes was knocked down; it was believed to be a German JU-88. Next morning a destroyer notified us that survivors had been picked up from one of the downed planes. After this everything has been pretty quiet except for a few air raid alert.’”
Does that episode sound somewhat familiar to any of you guys? It sure did to me. I do remember such an event shortly after we got into the Mediterranean late one night. I also remember watching the tracer fire – no two shooting at the same target! But reading this made me curious – could there be two such similar incidents? I checked the log and learned that our departure from the U.S. was on June 24, 1944, the same as that of the LST 914 and that we both arrived in Bizerte on July 14th. Same convoy and same late night air raid – what a coincidence.
But this is just a sample of the very thorough kind of job Steve Sussna did in researching for this book. He has dealt with the political issues surrounding the invasion; he has dealt with the personal dynamics among the leaders of the time – Roosevelt and Charles de Gaulle; Churchill and Roosevelt. He describes the growth and development of the Office of Strategic Services (O.S.S.) and the part they played in the major intelligence work that had to be accomplished within France at that time.
He has countless stories about individuals who performed remarkable acts of heroism, all of which contributed so heavily to making that operation the success that it was. As mentioned earlier, he considered Operation Dragoon to be the most successful of all the European landings because the military leaders had learned something from each of those previous invasions. Any errors or shortcomings were corrected before they could happen again.
I am frankly awed by Steve Sussna’s book. He’s done a first-rate, professional job in bringing together all the facets of this complex and historically significant operation. We can all be proud to have had a part of it.
FROM AMBASSADOR OF FRANCE TO UNITED STATES
Dear Mr. Sussna:
I am pleased to inform you that by a decree signed by the President of the French Republic on April 16, 2009 you have been named a "Chevalier" of the Legion of Honor.
This award testifies to the President of the French Republic's high esteem for your merits and accomplishments. In particular, it is a sign of France's true. and unforgettable gratitude and appreciation for your personal, precious contribution to the United States' decisive role in the liberation of our country during World War II.
The Legion of Honor was created by Napoleon in 1802 to acknowledge services rendered to France by persons of great merit. The French people will never forget your courage and your devotion to the great cause of freedom.
It is a personal pleasure for me to convey to you my sincere and warm congratulations.
Sincerely,
Pierre Vimont
FROM JOHN CUPCHALK , NAVAL ORDER OF THE UNITED STATES
Hi Stephen,
Thanks for the email, and I apologize I didn't get back to you on this request earlier.
Your presentation was well received by all. Got a lot of good comments. think the subject matter was unfamiliar to many, so it got their interest Also, your presentation was heard by everyone, which was great since you didn't use the microphone. That was important since sometimes people have difficulty hearing. Question & answer period also went well, and was indicative of their interest.
Best Regards,
John
FROM OPERATION DRAGOON SYMPOSIUM, WASHINGTON,DC
Operation Dragoon - The "Forgotten D-Day"
The Allied Landings in Southern France on 15 August 1944
Outpost Europe, Society of the 3rd Infantry Division The US Army Center of Military History The United States Army Historical Foundation Honor
Veterans on the 66th Anniversary of their invasion of France
When and What: - 9 August 2010, 0900 to 1600 - Historical Symposium with Dr. Jeffrey Clarke, Dr. Stephen Sussna, LTC Timothy R. Stoy
- 10 August 2010, 0900 to 1600 - Commemorative Ceremony, Wreath Layings at Tomb of the Unknowns, 31D Monument, remembrance at Audie Murphy graveside, followed by luncheon and historical discussion
Where: Symposion location TBD, Commemorative ceremony at Memorial Amphitheater, Arlington National Cemetery
Who: Veterans of the 6th Army Group, 7th Army; 6th Corps; 3rd, 36th, and 45th Infantry Divisions; 1st Airbome Task Force; 1st Special Service Force; Allied Army, Air Force, and Navy veterans; family members of veterans; Soldiers; guests; representatives of the Allied participants in Operation Dragoon
Why: To honor the veterans of Operation Dragoon
To preserve history
To educate the American public
To publicize the Army Historical Foundation and the
National Museum of the United States Army
POC: Monika Stoy, President, Outpost Europe, Society of the 3rd Infantry Division at monikastoY@Yahoo.com PH: 001 703 912 4218, Address: 6531 Milva Lane, Springfield, VA 22150 USA