Anniversary of Victory

The Allied victory in France during World War II was a pivotal moment in the war, marked by the successful liberation of France from Nazi occupation. The turning point came with the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944, when Allied forces, primarily from the United States, Britain, and Canada, launched Operation Overlord—a massive amphibious assault on the beaches of Normandy in northern France. This meticulously planned invasion, involving over 150,000 troops landing on five key beaches (Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword), was the largest seaborne invasion in history and crucial for establishing a foothold on the European continent.

Following the successful landings in Normandy, the Allies began pushing German forces out of occupied France. With the help of the French Resistance, the Allies conducted a series of offensives that resulted in the gradual liberation of cities and regions across the country. The pivotal moment in this campaign was the liberation of Paris on August 25, 1944, when Free French forces under General Philippe Leclerc and Allied troops entered the city, forcing the surrender of the German garrison. By September 1944, most of France had been liberated, and the Allies continued their advance into Germany, leading to the eventual defeat of the Nazi regime in May 1945. The liberation of France not only represented a significant military victory but also symbolized the restoration of French sovereignty and the end of four years of brutal occupation. It allowed Charles de Gaulle and his Free French forces to establish a provisional government, restoring the French Republic.

The Chad to Rhine series celebrated the key role played by French colonial troops, particularly the Tirailleurs Sénégalais (West African soldiers), and other African forces in the war effort. Under the command of General Philippe Leclerc, these troops were part of the Free French Army that marched from French-controlled territories in Africa through North Africa, contributing to the defeat of Axis powers in campaigns like North Africa and the liberation of Europe. The stamps typically featured designs highlighting military achievements, maps, and imagery representing the journey from Africa to Europe.