Even though Operation Anvil (the invasion of southern France at the same time as Overlord in Normandy) was cancelled the Allies decided to carry it out later as Operation Dragoon. After Rome was secured in Italy then Allied troops from this theater were used for this invasion a couple months after Overlord. The purpose was to draw German troops from Normandy and to allow the Allies from the south of France to fight their way north to join Eisenhower’s troops. Winston Churchill was vehemently against this plan but was overruled.  Churchill contends that because of this operation German troops were able to be withdrawn from Italy and were sent to fight in Normandy which was the exact opposite effect that was desired. He also contends that if the Allied troops had stayed in Italy they could have defeated the Germans faster and could have beat the Russians to Vienna. This would have created completely different spheres of influence in post-war Europe.

(Book – The Second World War – Winston S. Churchill)