Dieppe Raid: A Fail or a Success?

In only 9 hours; out of the approximately 6,000 Canadian soldiers at Dieppe, more than 900 Canadian soldiers had been killed, with 1,874 taken captive, and nearly 3,400 casualties.

In the air battle the Allies lost 106 aircraft and 81 airmen, 13 machines and 10 pilots. However, German casualties were very mere.

The raid took place on a small port of the French coast. This raid was designed to test the capability of Hitler’s fortress. Although it has been suggested that the Germans had known about the raid prior to it happening, evidence has proven the contrary. The German enemies were definitely well alert, but likely not warned. It is suggested that the reason for the supposed failure of this raid was due to insufficient training and preparation, plus the inadequate fire support.

The ships on the Eastern Flank as well as Western were late traveling to Dieppe and therefore lost the element of surprise as the Germans were prepared and aware of the Allies presence. Ships carrying No. 3 Commando did not remain secret as they crossed roads with a collection of German merchant ships with an escort of warships, which then alerted German coastal defenses, and from there, things went downhill for the Allies. Majority of the No. 3 Commando ships never reached the shore, but those who did were understandably overwhelmed.

“Dieppe was also well defended by machine guns, mortars and artillery, and had many cliff caves. The heavier guns were carefully concealed, and the heavily sloping shingle beach led up to a maze of tank traps and pillboxes… The assault was met with intense fire right from the start. The eastern assault was held at the beach waiting for late tank support. In the Western Flank, few soldiers made it across the bullet-swept boulevard and into the town.” (http://www.wwii.ca/page53.html)

With 27 tanks, only 15 made it up the tall banks. The remaining tanks were used in order to provide support and aid the retreating.

An order to retreat was issued.

As tides rolled in, wounded and dead soldiers were in every area of the water, the ocean was tainted red,

With men dead, with men wounded, this raid was not what they had planned.

It was an utter disaster.