[Von Paulus]

SUICIDE INVASION-DIEPPE
Coast of France, August 18/19, 1942

In honor of the many Canadians at this forum, I have decided to dedicate todays "Von P's WW2 Fact of the Day", To the Invasion of Dieppe. I do hope I don't offend anyone....

Operation Jubilee - the raid on Dieppe - was a full-scale Allied disaster: thousands of Canadians died on the beaches in gallant but pitifully hopeless attacks, while the Germans themselves were never seriously worried by the raid. Yet Dieppe, however tragic, taught the Allies much that they were later to put to remarkable use...


I will start with a quote from a famous historian (I can't remember his name at present)

"Flesh and Blood sustained by courage was helpless under the weight of fire brought to bear by the German defences. There was no time to attempt to cut ways through the enemy wire. Men made bridges of their bodies, and others crossed at last to gain the shelter of the sea wall..."

TIMELINE
(Please inform me if I miss anything.)

1942
August 17: An assault force of 6,086 officers and men is embarked for the Allied raid on Dieppe.

August 18: Minesweepers clear a course to Dieppe and mark the channels. During the night, 252 ships sail and rendezvous behind the minesweepers.

August 19: At 0300 hours landing craft carrying assault groups for the flank beaches are lowered, and take up stations.

0335 hours: Flotilla carrying the Royal Regiment of Canada forms up behind the wrong gun-boat, and 20 minutes are lost while trying to sort out the muddle.

0347 hours: The gun-boat leading in No.3 Commando runs into armed trawlers, and is disabled. The Commando landing craft disperse.
Commandos land but are pinned down by heavy and accurate fire.

0600 hours: The force commander decides to commit his reserves (The Fusilliers Mont-Royal) but they too are pinned down.

0825 hours: German HQ orders highest state of readiness.

0830 hours: Royal Marines attempt to land, but turn back.

0900 hours: Decision to withdraw.

1022 hours: Destroyers escort the rescue craft in. Destroyer Berkeley is sunk.

The Canadians lost 215 officers and 3,164 men. Over one third of them killed.

-Thankyou for Reading (If anyone has pics or URLS please post them.)