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The Dieppe Raid “Operation Jubilee”. Reasons for the Raid. The town of Dieppe was an important port town Allies were not yet prepared for a full invasion of Europe Dieppe Raid was a way to test new techniques and equipment
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Reasons for the Raid • The town of Dieppe was an important port town • Allies were not yet prepared for a full invasion of Europe • Dieppe Raid was a way to test new techniques and equipment • The raid would serve as a reconnaissance mission and a precursor to the Normandy invasion
Why Canada? • Most Canadian troops had not yet fought in Europe as much of the war for Canada was being fought in Africa • Canadian troops were highly esteemed • British General Montgomery selects Canadians
The Battle • Canadian ships were to have disembarked before dawn but delays kept them in port until early daylight • On the way to the raid, a Canadian ship met a German convoy and a battle ensued • No element of surprise • They were killed easily by German machine gunners
The Battle • Aug 19, 1942 • Poor communications led commanders to believe that the first wave of troops made it to shore in good shape • They sent reinforcements who also became trapped • Tanks could not advance on the pebble beach because of a lack of traction
The Aftermath • The raid was a disaster • In total, 907 Canadian troops died in the nine-hour battle, while 586 were wounded and 1874 were taken prisoner • Some historians argue that the raid was a failure but it taught Allied forces what not to do next time
Battle of the Atlantic • U-Boat threat • By May 1942 the British had the secret codes of the Germans • Airplanes could escort most of the way • Ships were built faster than sunk • Better training and equipment
HMCS Arrowhead - Corvette • Built to escort convoys • Small, cheap, quick, and maneuverable
Canadians in the Air • Like RCN (Royal Canadian Navy), the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) grew quickly during the war • Nearly 250 000 Canadians joined the RCAF • Some fought in bombers dropping bombs on Germany – These raids often resulted in Firestorms (Incendiary bombs caused intense heat and everything caught on fire) • 10,000 Canadians bomber crewmen died in the war
Women in the Air Force • In 1941 the RCAF formed the Women’s division (WD) • Women were not allowed to be in combat • They performed vital support roles • Mechanics, clerks, cooks, welders, telephone operators, later flew replacement aircraft from Canada to England