2007-05-17 06:09:27 · 12 answers · asked by unica91 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
Yes quite a few did, but not on a scale comparable to USA, Britain, and Canada.
2007-05-17 06:12:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes a batallion of French Commandoes attacked the csino at Sword Beach, there were ships of the Free French navy and airplanes from the Free French Air Force. In addition there were thousands of French resistance workers who were active throughout Normandy and France.
The French canadians should not be confused with the French from France as they were Canadians
2007-05-17 13:59:58 · answer #2 · answered by Ted K 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The 2nd French Armored Division, commanded by Leclerc, landed at Normandy. I don't think they landed during the first climactic days, though.
The Free French mostly fought in Italy and then in Operation Dragoon- the invasion of Southern France- and then, of course, on the final drive to Germany.
2007-05-17 13:14:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes. 1/3 of the soldiers on D-Day were French.
2007-05-17 13:13:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, the French were not part of the actual invasion. They did land troops later, but it was long after D-day. In fact I'm not sure if they even made it there before the start of the break out from hedgerow country.
Edit:
Sorry, was forgetting about the multitudes of commando and other support raids. But basically, no traditional forces in the invasion were French.
2007-05-18 08:51:40 · answer #5 · answered by rohak1212 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In addition to a couple of real answers already posted (along with all the drivel), the first soldiers in, shortly before midnight 5/6 June, were a French section of British SAS, though the first combat was the Ox & Bucks.
It's noted that several of the French at Ouisterham enjoyed their assignment as they had lost money at the casino before the war.
2007-05-17 15:12:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes there was a contingent of French soldiers in the first wave on D-Day. Also one from Poland,Czechoslovakia, Belgium and Netherlands
2007-05-17 14:51:48 · answer #7 · answered by brainstorm 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, as portrayed in the movie THE LONGEST DAY, a unit of French commandos attacked the Germans at Ouistreham.
2007-05-17 13:15:03 · answer #8 · answered by Ammianus 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Normandy is in France, so yes, they were fighting long before the allies got there.
2007-05-17 13:12:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes, some landed with the soldiers while the Maquis (the french underground) provided behind the lines support and attacks
2007-05-17 13:41:06 · answer #10 · answered by cbgaviniii 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋