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Honour - DIEPPE 1942


Date - 19 August
Type - Combined Operations
Conflict - World War 2; 1939-45

 
Description The action took place at the town of Dieppe on the north coast of France.

Given the name 'Operation Jubilee', it took the form of a raid to find out if it was feasible to assault, take and hold a major port for a limited period of time. Other objectives were to obtain intelligence from captured prisoners, documents and equipment; also to find what the German armed forces reaction was to a large assault against the French coast. The RAF also wanted to entice the Luftwaffe into a major battle against which it could use its expanded fighter force to inflict heavy losses on the Germans, 67 squadrons were committed to the operation.

The assaulting force of about 5,000 comprised the Canadian 2nd Division, plus supporting Commando, Marine, tank and other units. Losses came to 2,700 killed, wounded or captured.

It was also the first time the RAF came up against the FW190 in numbers and lost 105 aircraft (88 fighters), plus another 100 damaged against the German loss of 46 aircraft.

Apart from the success of flanking attacks by commando units to knock out German guns no other objectives were achieved and the attack did not get beyond the beach sea-wall.

The intensity of the battle can be gauged from the report from one Royal Navy craft who counted over 50 bullet holes in his white ensign.

 

 
 
HM Ships
Albrighton  Alresford  Bangor  Berkley  Blackpool 
Bleasdale  Blyth  Bridlington  Bridport  Brocklesby 
Calpe  Clacton  Duke of Wellington  Eastbourne  Felixstowe 
Fernie  Garth  Glengyle  Ilfracombe  Invicta 
Locust  Polruan  Prince Charles  Prince Leopold  Prins Albert 
Prinses Astrid  Prinses Beatrix  Queen Emma  Rhyl  Sidmouth 
Stornoway  Tenby       
         
ML's
114  120  123  171  187 
189  190  191  193  194 
208  214  230  246  291 
292  309  343  344  346 
         
MGB's
50  51  52  57  312 
315  316  317  320  321 
323  326       
         
SGB's
   
         
 
This page last edited - 22 April, 2013.

Copyright © Ian M King, except where otherwise indicated.