Dieppe

The Second World War

Date

19 August 1942

Geographical parameters

(no geographical parameters defined)

Context

A separate action forming part of the “North-West Europe, 1940-42” theatre honour ^{Footnote 1}

Description

In the spring of 1942, planning began for a major raid on the French port of Dieppe. The Dieppe Raid, conducted by 2nd Canadian Division, would be the first large Allied combined-arms assault landing during the Second World War. The raid was originally planned for early July but was cancelled due to bad weather. The plan was revived later in the month with the raid scheduled for 19 August.

Landings took place in five areas: No. 3 Commando at Berneval; The Royal Regiment of Canada at Puys; the main landing force (The Essex Scottish, The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry, and tanks of the 14th Army Tank Regiment (The Calgary Regiment (Tank)), CAC, CASF) at Dieppe, The South Saskatchewan Regiment and The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada at Pourville; and No. 4 Commando at Varengeville. On most beaches, there were difficulties landing troops on time and in the right place while the presence of high sea walls at Puys and Dieppe made it difficult for men to get off the beaches.

Tanks also encountered difficulties landing but about half made it off the beach before running into concrete roadblocks. Many later returned to the beach to support the infantry as they evacuated. This included men from Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal, the reserve infantry, who, due to misunderstandings and poor communication, had been sent in as a follow-up force.

In all areas, the German defenders reacted strongly to the landings. At Puys, German artillery fire made it impossible for The Royal Regiment of Canada to evacuate and the unit suffered the day’s heaviest casualties.

At Pourville, The South Saskatchewan Regiment landed, followed by The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada, fought their way inland, but were unable to reach their objectives or make contact with units landed at Dieppe. Despite heavy fire, the bulk of the two units were evacuated from the landing beaches.

Of the around 5,000 Canadians who embarked for the operation, nearly 2,000 were taken prisoner, more than 900 killed and many others were wounded. This was the largest number of casualties for any Canadian operation during the Second World War. ^{Footnote 2}

Awarded to:

Currently Serving Units

• The Essex and Kent Scottish ^{Footnote 3}
• Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal ^{Footnote 4}
• The King’s Own Calgary Regiment (RCAC) ^{Footnote 5}
• The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada ^{Footnote 6}
• The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (Wentworth Regiment) ^{Footnote 7}
• The Royal Regiment of Canada ^{Footnote 8}
• The Toronto Scottish Regiment (Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s Own) ^{Footnote 9}

Unit on the Supplementary Order of Battle

• The South Saskatchewan Regiment ^{Footnote 10}