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This medal has been minted in 1973 in France to commemorate Port-Cross Island and the battle between the US Navy and the German ships.
This medal has been signed by the medalist; S. JOACHIM.
Port-Cros National Park (French: Parc
national de Port-Cros) is a French national park
established on the Mediterranean island of Port-Cros, east of Toulon. It also administers
natural areas in some surrounding locales.
It was founded in 1963 after the
av. The map
of
rv. The landscape with the trees
diameter - 68 mm, (2¾ “)
weight – 148.90 gr, (5.25 oz)
metal - bronze, original patina
The Battle of Port Cros was a battle of World War II fought off the French Riviera in the Mediterranean Sea at the islands of Port Cros. Battle bagan when a United States Navy warship encountered two German warships in August 1944 while supporting the Allied Operation Dragoon. It was one of the few surface engagements fought between the United States Navy and the Kriegsmarine. Later that day, the combined American and Canadian Devil's Brigade was dropped on the main island and captured the German held positions.
The American destroyer USS Somers, armed with
eight 5-inch guns and torpedo tubes, was
cruising in the Mediterranean on August 15, 1944 when she came across the
former 738 ton Italian corvette Camoscio
which was renamed UJ6081 by the Kriegsmarine. Also involved was the
former French 917 ton aviso Amiral Senes,
renamed SG21. UJ6081 was armed with one 3.9-inch gun and two 17.7-inch
pptorpedo tube[[s. The aviso was armed with two 4.1-inch guns. It was early
morning off Port Cros, about four hours before the Allied landing in Vichy France, when the
Americans sighted the German corvette. Commander Willam Christopher Hughes ordered a
torpedo attack and directed his men to battle stations.
USS Somers in 1942.
A spread of torpedoes was launched and the Germans opened
fire with their one gun as they attempted to maneuver out of the missile's
path. Unsuccessful in escaping, one torpedo slammed into the corvette's hull
and she quickly began to sink. Then the aviso was spotted coming to the aid of
the sinking corvette. She was engaged by the Somers' main gun battery
and a duel started and lasted for a few minutes until the enemy vessel was hit
several times and began taking on water. Within a few more minutes, both of the
German ships were underwater so the Somers left the area for naval
gunfire support missions against targets along the French mainland. American
forces suffered no damage or casualties.
Later that day a mixed regiment of United
States Army and Canadian Army infantry, the 1st Special
Service Force, was dropped onto Port Cros and captured the five forts after a day long
battle with their German garrisons. The Allies
assaulted and captured by force two or three of the forts and took the
remaining without resistance. Nine paratroopers were killed in the land battle.
As result of the battle Commander Hughes was recognized
for his victory and eventually rose to the rank of rear admiral party due
to his involvement in the Port Cros action. After the engagement the United
States Army occupied Le Levant, another island
nearby. Two days later on August 17, 1944, the former Italian corvette Antilope,
renamed UJ6082, and the former Egyptian armed yacht Nimet Allah
were sunk by USS Endicott with
slight help from two British gunboats at the Battle
of La Ciotat.
Le Parc national de
Port-Cros, premier parc national marin en
Lieu d'une protection
forte, le parc national s'attache, par une gestion attentive, à y conserver
le patrimoine naturel, historique et paysager exceptionnel, tout en maintenant
une ouverture raisonnée à l'accès du public.
Depuis 1998, le Parc
national de Port-Cros est titulaire du "Diplôme européen", décerné
par le Conseil de l'Europe et depuis 2001 il est inscrit, seul site français à
ce jour, parmi les "aires spécialement protégées d'importance
méditerranéenne".