OTTAWA - Today, a Canadian Forces (CF) contingent of 55 members marked the 70th Anniversary of the Dieppe Raid, an important chapter in Canadian military history as it taught Canadians valuable lessons that would earn them success in the D-Day Invasion years later.
"Today we remember a dark but courageous chapter in Canadian military history," said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence. "While the outcome of the Dieppe Raid was tragic for thousands of heroic Canadians, the lessons they learned played a crucial role in the success of future military actions. Those who participated in the Dieppe Raid were among the more than one million brace Canadians who served during the Second World War, and whom we shall never forget."
Attending the ceremony, organized by Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), were His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada; the Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs; The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Ambassador of Canada to France; Canadian Veterans who participated in the Dieppe Raid; Canadian cadets and scouts, and French dignitaries including the Mayor of Dieppe, Mr. Sébastien Jumel. A 30-person brass and reed band from Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal, were also front and centre. The Regiment participated in the Dieppe Raid, and has the "Dieppe" battle honour as one of its many Second World War honours. Approximately 500 guests were in attendance.
While in France, members of the CF contingent supported various ceremonies and events lead by VAC and the Town of Dieppe. A Commemorative Event at the National War Memorial in Ottawa is also being held by VAC today. The Chief of the Defence Staff will lay a wreath at the event and there will be a 90-member CF contingent at the ceremony. A CF bugler and piper will play the Last Post, Rouse and Lament.
The Raid on Dieppe, France, on August 19, 1942, was a pivotal moment in the Second World War. The Dieppe Raid was one of the most devastating and bloody chapters in Canadian military history. Of the 4963 Canadian soldiers who embarked from England for the operation, only 2210 returned, and many of them had never even landed in France. Over 900 Canadians were ultimately killed in action, died of wounds or died as prisoners of war.
The Dieppe Raid holds a prominent place in Canadian military history as it helped shape the Allied approach to the successful Normandy landings on D-Day, June 6, 1944.
