BATTLEFIELD SERIES Part 2: In 1942, with pressure mounting from the Soviets to open up a second front, the Allies initiated operation Jubilee. The focus was to launch the very first large scale seaborne invasion against Europe, capture the port of Dieppe, hold it for 12 hours, destroy the defenses and pull back. The raiding force consisted of more than 6000 men, mainly Canadians, along with some British Commandos and US Rangers.
.
Once the Allied troops landed on the beaches, the German defense started a barrage of machine gun fire. Lacking solid cover, the British and Canadian troops were gunned down rapidly. The tanks arrived too late and they proved to be ineffective against the coastal defenses. Witnesses claimed that it was a carnage with soldiers being cut down by German fire all along the sea wall while the commanding officer, desperately tried to use a broken radio to contact the HQ in a general lack of idea what to do.
The raid was a complete disaster. In less than 6 hours, 60% of the force was either killed, wounded or captured, with a 68% casualty rate from the Canadian force alone. All tanks destroyed or abandoned, and over 106 RAF fighters lost. None of the objectives were taken and it became a costly lesson for the Allies. The major culprit wasn't lack of bravery, but poor planning from higher ups.
There were no naval or air bombardments prior to the landings. RAF failed at gaining air superiority, no element of surprise, poor intelligence on defenses, poor planning on re embarkation procedures.
The sacrifices on that day are what made the rest of the allied invasions possible. Its said that the Battle of Normandy was won on the beaches of Dieppe. For every man who died in Dieppe, at least 10 more were spared in Normandy. "My Impression is that the results fully justified the heavy cost and that it was a Canadian contribution of the greatest significance to final victory." - Winston Churchill #ww2 #bfseries #war #stayzero #zerofoxtrot