The Dieppe Raid
By mid-1942, the Soviet Union army had suffered severe
casualties, and Stalin was demanding the Allies open a second front to try and
weaken Germany. Although the Allies were not ready for a full-scale invasion of
Europe, they felt prepared for a trail run. The 2nd Canadian Division was chose
to be the main attack force in a raid on the French port of Dieppe. The plan of
the raid was to attack in the early hours of morning, so they could have the
element of surprise, then tanks and air force bombers would support the troops.
The raid began August 19, 1942, but on the way one of the ships with Canadian
soldiers aboard, ran into a small German convoy. The noise of a brief sea
battle alerted the German troops on shore. Not only were the Germans aware
Allied troops were coming, but the ships were delayed and arrived on shore in
daylight. As soon as they landed, the soldiers were immediately machine-gunned down
and the tanks were useless, because they couldn't advance over the steep and
rocky beach. To make matters worse, communication between the ships and troops on shore was
dismal, reinforcements were sent too early and they to became trapped and
gunned down on the beach.
Out of the 5000 Canadian soldiers involved in the Dieppe Raid, close to 1000 died, another 1000 wounded and nearly 2000 were taken prisoner. Although Dieppe was an obvious failure, and even called a massacre, it was a learning experience that enabled Allied success in the Normandy Landing.
Out of the 5000 Canadian soldiers involved in the Dieppe Raid, close to 1000 died, another 1000 wounded and nearly 2000 were taken prisoner. Although Dieppe was an obvious failure, and even called a massacre, it was a learning experience that enabled Allied success in the Normandy Landing.
Sources:
http://shotgunsbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Dieppe-Raid.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-291-1206-13,_Dieppe,_Landungsversuch,_tote_alliierte_Soldaten.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-291-1205-14,_Dieppe,_Landungsversuch,_alliierte_Soldaten.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Canadian_POWs,_Dieppe.jpg
Counterpoints: Exploring Canadian Issues Textbook
http://shotgunsbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Dieppe-Raid.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-291-1206-13,_Dieppe,_Landungsversuch,_tote_alliierte_Soldaten.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-291-1205-14,_Dieppe,_Landungsversuch,_alliierte_Soldaten.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Canadian_POWs,_Dieppe.jpg
Counterpoints: Exploring Canadian Issues Textbook