Not only is this an important event in Canadian and British military history, I believe it was the first time US Forces fought on the European Mainland in WW2. An American soldier receives a light for his cigarette from a compatriot at Newhaven on his return from Dieppe. This was the first time that American troops had seen action in Europe during the Second World War.
The attack upon Dieppe took place on August 19, 1942. The troops involved totaled 6,100 of whom roughly 5,000 were Canadians, the remainder being British Commandos and 50 American Rangers. The raid was supported by eight Allied destroyers and 74 Allied air squadrons (eight belonging to the RCAF). Major General J.H. Roberts, the Commander of the 2nd Canadian Division, was appointed Military Force Commander, with Captain J. Hughes-Hallett, R.N. as Naval Force Commander and Air Vice Marshal T.L. Leigh-Mallory as Air Force Commander.
It pains me to report that not all Canadians give the respect due these men and what their sacrifice meant to the future landings on D-Day. A new Memorial that was to be dedicated this Sunday in Hamilton Ontario Canada honouring the 65th anniversary was vandalized on the weekend. The spray paint has been removed but one of the Bronze Medalions was pried off and stolen. It cannot be replaced by the Dedication so the it will have to go on as planned without it. Hamilton lost many son's that served that day with the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry( RHLI ) and they deserve better than this. It is my hope that web sites like this one will help to educate our youth where society has failed. I thank you for remembering my countrymens sacrifice.
George, Sorry to hear about the Memorial, I thought Canadian kids were better than that. Low life everywhere it seems. Maybe they need to look here. Dieppe - Veterans Affairs Canada Does anyone know the 50 US Rangers who served there? I've seen a few on the 'net but I wondered how many of those 50 survived the war. The first 50 Americans of the millions who followed a few years later. EDIT full list here. Rangers on the Dieppe Raid
Footage of Corporal Koons, one of the US Rangers at Dieppe. British Pathe - MEET US CORPORAL KOONS, MM
I was with the Essex & Kent Scottish for a time, successor to the Essex Scottish. It was always a part of our story and we had fellows who were there talk to new recruits. Dieppe Park in Windsor perpetuates the memory for the city. It wasn't until I stood on the beach and looked around that the full import of what those folks went up against held my mind. How any survived is incredible. This question of the US Rangers and how many survived the war is an interesting one. Owen's list shows quite a spread out group of individuals. I have often wondered if there were any US personnel dropped in to support the resistance folks. cheers, phil
First American casualty not counting our merchant mariners killed from german subs prior to the us declaration of war was. The first American soldier killed in Europe in WWII was part of the Dieppe Raid, Ranger Lieutenant E. V. Loustalot. During the mission, he took command after the British Captain leading the assault was killed. Loustalot scaled a steep cliff with his men, was wounded three times, but was eventually cut down by enemy crossfire in his attempts to reach the machine-gun nest at the top of the cliff. Here is an actual ww2 newspaper article i dug up online From the Eugene Oregon register from 19 august 1942 on theyre participation. Eugene Register-Guard - Google News Archive Search
OPPS lol remind me to learn how to use a pc. But jason didnt i teach ya online via IM how to get youre headphones to work as speakers LOL IE where to plug into youre soundcard LOL
Anyone read Will Fowler's book on the Commandos at Dieppe: Rehearsal for D-Day? It is supposed to have a good look at Operation Cauldron. cheers, phil
OPPS lol remind me to learn how to use a pc. But jason didnt i teach ya online via IM how to get youre headphones to work as speakers LOL IE where to plug into youre soundcard LOL See you Yanks can teach us something, now can we have back our Maroon berets your Airborne stole oh and when are Delta(ssssh!) gonna say thanks for our SAS teaching them all they know
Just thought of a photo I took at Dieppe.... Where is that located ? I missed that one back in 2007 .
Anyone read Will Fowler's book on the Commandos at Dieppe: Rehearsal for D-Day? It is supposed to have a good look at Operation Cauldron. cheers, phil Phil I have it here somewhere will dig it out and take a look.Found it Operation Cauldron is from a quick look covered quite well ORBAT ROH plans aftermath etc. I also have March Past by Lord Lovat will see how much is on it in there.
oh wow nice plaqque. ya got it larger by chance id love to read it, one thing i admire about the french they treat our ww2 vets with honor.
ya got it larger by chance id love to read it click on it 3 or 4 times http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=26264&d=1269257075
Found what looks like a good book on the rangers at Dieppe. One i may add to my collection... Home Page
