Introduction

In this blog, you will be able to find information on the Dieppe raid. Canadian forces of some six thousand soldiers and marines that were supported by nearly 4000 men of navy and air force attacked German occupied port of Dieppe on august 18^th, 1942. Dieppe raid has been called the biggest military blunder in the history. The overall causality rate averaged more than 40 percent. The purpose of this raid was to seize the port and obtain intelligence from the prisoners and the weaponry they would seize. There are many theories and myths about Dieppe raid. For example, Brian Loring Villa argued that British planners knew that operation had no hope of success and this evidence has been hidden from the public.

Origins

Hitler signed an armistice with France on June 22, 1940. On the same day, he declared that Britain had been driven forever from the continent of Europe. Some time after this, a newly created Combined Operations Command was instructed to design a program of raids against the German occupied regions in order to harass them and gain experience in German defences. However, this was impossible until German forces were committed elsewhere. The opportunity presented itself when Germany attacked Russia. Also, Japanese raided Pearl Harbour and United States became an active participant in the war.

Plan

Lord Mountbatten approved the Dieppe operation on April 4th. After the approval, home forces pushed for a frontal attack. Mountbatten object to their plan. They defended their plan by arguing that plan proposed by Mountabtten to land tanks eight miles away, and seize the bridges across the river Scie and Sane would be impossible. They will also lose the element of surprise. Capt. John Hugher asked to employ the troops that had not been in action while this operation required the soldiers with significant experience. The proposal was made towards Canadian governemnt to employ their troops for this raid; Canadian government gladly accepted. After their acceptance Winston Churchill made a very famous quote, " In a few months, when the season of invasions returns, the Canadian army may find itself engaged in one of the bloodiest affrays the world has ever seen."