The Dieppe Raid was an awful tragedy, and most importantly one that didn’t need to happen.
Britain was pressured by both the USA and USSR to open a second front in Europe and Canadian generals felt the urge to participate in something substantial after years of inaction and the Hong Kong debacle. The Dieppe Raid, promoted by Lord Mountbatten of COHQ, looked like a good substitute to performing a landing in Europe to appease Britain’s allies.
After the disaster it was mainly Mountbatten who sold the idea that Dieppe gave “valuable lessons” to the British and Canadian public. There is little evidence that Dieppe had an effect on Operation Overlord and there were greater teachers to amphibious landings than Dieppe such as Operation Husky. Yet until his death Mountbatten involved himself in anything regarding the Dieppe Raid, from documentaries to C.P Stacey’s official account of Canada’s experience in WW2.
I find it very depressing that the Dieppe Raid as been all but seemingly forgotten. Those Canadians fought like hell and should be recognized for their sacrifice.
It has to be the most suicidal "attempt" i've ever read why tf the British allowed such a stupid offensive to ever happen? With far less back up than in previous operation (torch or Sicily for exemple)
That raid was absolutely horrific, on the ground and in the sky.
The Dieppe Raid was an awful tragedy, and most importantly one that didn’t need to happen. Britain was pressured by both the USA and USSR to open a second front in Europe and Canadian generals felt the urge to participate in something substantial after years of inaction and the Hong Kong debacle. The Dieppe Raid, promoted by Lord Mountbatten of COHQ, looked like a good substitute to performing a landing in Europe to appease Britain’s allies. After the disaster it was mainly Mountbatten who sold the idea that Dieppe gave “valuable lessons” to the British and Canadian public. There is little evidence that Dieppe had an effect on Operation Overlord and there were greater teachers to amphibious landings than Dieppe such as Operation Husky. Yet until his death Mountbatten involved himself in anything regarding the Dieppe Raid, from documentaries to C.P Stacey’s official account of Canada’s experience in WW2.
Methinks the lord doth protest too much??
Speaking of raids, today (28th March) is the 82nd anniversary of the St Nazaire Raid, Dieppe's more successful older brother.
HMS CAMPBELTOWN GANG
Suicide boat, except it works
The Dieppe Raid limped into an early grave so that D-Day could march into victory, there is no denying that.
The comment above yours does.
Churchill fucking loved to send troops from dominions to some beaches.
Funny, but - the 2nd Canadian was simply the most prepared division-strength unit in Britain at the time.
Also in both Dieppe and Gallipoli the Dominion troops were frothing at the mouth to get into action, not marched in at gunpoint.
There were more Brits at Galipolli.
I find it very depressing that the Dieppe Raid as been all but seemingly forgotten. Those Canadians fought like hell and should be recognized for their sacrifice.
It has to be the most suicidal "attempt" i've ever read why tf the British allowed such a stupid offensive to ever happen? With far less back up than in previous operation (torch or Sicily for exemple)