by R.G. Rosenquist, Martin J. Sexton & Robert A. Buerlein
Operation Jubilee or the Dieppe Raid (19 August 1942) was an Allied amphibious attack on the German-occupied port of Dieppe in northern France, during the Second World War. Over 6,050 infantry, predominantly Canadian, supported by a regiment of tanks, were put ashore from a naval force operating under protection of Royal Air Force (RAF) fighters.
The port was to be captured and held for a short period, to test the feasibility of a landing and to gather intelligence. German coastal defences, port structures and important buildings were to be demolished. The raid was intended to boost Allied morale, demonstrate the commitment of the United Kingdom to re-open the Western Front and support the Soviet Union, fighting on the Eastern Front.
Aerial and naval support was insufficient to enable the ground forces to achieve their objectives; the tanks were trapped on the beach and the infantry was largely prevented from entering the town by obstacles and German fire. After less than six hours, mounting casualties forced a retreat. The operation was a fiasco in which only one landing force achieved its objective and some intelligence including electronic intelligence was gathered.
Within ten hours, 3,623 of the 6,086 men who landed had been killed, wounded or became prisoners of war. The Luftwaffe made a maximum effort against the landing as the RAF had expected, but the RAF lost 106 aircraft (at least 32 to anti-aircraft fire or accidents) against 48 German losses. The Royal Navy lost 33 landing craft and a destroyer.
Both sides learned important lessons regarding coastal assaults. The Allies learned lessons that influenced the success of the D-Day landings. Artificial harbours were declared crucial, tanks were adapted specifically for beaches, a new integrated tactical air force strengthened ground support, and capturing a major port at the outset was no longer seen as a priority. Churchill and Mountbatten both claimed that these lessons had outweighed the cost. The Germans also believed that Dieppe was a learning experience and made a considerable effort to improve the way they defended the occupied coastlines of Europe.
OPERATION JUBILEE
From the war diary:
Report on Events on 19 Aug 42, off Dieppe of A. Coy, Royal Marine Commando by Capt. P. W. C. Hellings, D.S.C. R.M.
Statement by O.C. 'B' Coy, Capt. R.K.Devereaux, R.M.
Statement by Ply.x. 2505 Cpl. W.J.Harvey.
Report on Events on 19 Aug 42, off Dieppe by...
SURNAME
Northern
FORENAME
Samuel Bernard
UNIT
A Commando
RANK
Marine
NUMBER
PO/X 101038
DATE OF DEATH
19th August 1942
AGE
21
GRAVESITE
Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 14.05.1921, Warsop Vale, Nottinghamshire, UK
father Thomas...
SURNAME
McDonald
FORENAME
Norman
UNIT
A Commando
RANK
Corporal
NUMBER
PO/X 4530
DATE OF DEATH
19th August 1942
AGE
21
GRAVESITE
Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 07.03.1921, Glasgow, UK
KIA Dieppe (op.Jubilee)
SURNAMEBerchervaise FORENAMEAlexander Austin UNIT3 Commando RANKSignalman NUMBER2578129 AWARDMention in Despatches PLACEDieppe 1942 ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONparent unit Royal Corps of Signals
SURNAME
Newell
FORENAME
Leslie Scott
UNIT
3 Commando
RANK
Lance Corporal
NUMBER
5180893
DATE OF DEATH
19th August 1942
AGE
29
GRAVESITE
Bristol (Avon View) Cemetery,Gloucestershire Plot Dark blue Grave 309
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
parent unit Worcestershire Regiment
born...
SURNAME
Stockley
FORENAME
Gordon Herbert
UNIT
R.M. Assistant R.M. Advisor,Combined Operations HQ + 44 Commando (C.O.)
RANK
A/Major + A/Lieutenant Colonel
NUMBER
AWARD
Mention in Despatches (twice)
PLACE
Dieppe 1942 SE Asia 1945
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 24.1.1910...
SURNAME
Loustalot
FORENAME
Edward Vincent
UNIT
1 Ranger Bn (Company B)
RANK
Second Lieutenant
NUMBER
0-395585
DATE OF DEATH
19th August 1942
AGE
23
GRAVESITE
Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupre, Belgium Plot C Row 3 Grave 45
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Tangipahoa Parish...
SURNAME
Henry
FORENAME
Howard Murl
UNIT
1 Ranger Bn (HQ and Company E)
RANK
Technician Fourth Class
NUMBER
35125112
DATE OF DEATH
19th August 1942
AGE
23
GRAVESITE
Normandy American Cemetery, France Plot B Row 18 Grave 5
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Harlan County, Kentucky...
SURNAME
Randall
FORENAME
Joseph Howard
UNIT
1 Ranger Bn (Company D)
RANK
First Lieutenant
NUMBER
0-418342
DATE OF DEATH
19th August 1942
AGE
22
GRAVESITE
Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA. Section 6, site 5823-A
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...
SURNAME
Bevan
FORENAME
George Reginald
UNIT
A Commando
RANK
Marine
NUMBER
CL 105010
AWARD
Military Medal
PLACE
Dieppe 1942
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Maidstone
London Gazette 35729, 2nd October 1942, Page 4328
SURNAME
Smale
FORENAME
Kenneth William Ridley
UNIT
"A" Commando
RANK
Lieutenant
NUMBER
AWARD
Military Cross
PLACE
Dieppe 1942 and as POW 1942-45
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
former 2 Bn R.M.
08.05.1942 joined 40 Commando
SURNAME
Houghton
FORENAME
Robert Dyer (Titch)
UNIT
A Commando
RANK
Major
NUMBER
AWARD
Military Cross
PLACE
Dieppe 1942
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 7.3.1912
father John Mayo Houghton (1870-1947)
mother Lucy Evelyn (nee Trotman) Houghton (1872-1969)
educated Haileybury School...
SURNAME
Burn
FORENAME
Michael Clive (Micky)
UNIT
2 Commando (6 Troop)
RANK
Captain
NUMBER
74087
AWARD
Military Cross
PLACE
St Nazaire 1942
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
parent unit King's Royal Rifle Corps
born 11.12.1912 Mayfair,London
son of Sir Clive Burn,KCVO (Secretary of the...
SURNAME
Breen
FORENAME
Terence Edward
UNIT
"A" Commando
RANK
Marine
NUMBER
CH/X 105010
AWARD
Military Medal
PLACE
Dieppe 1942
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from London, SW18
London Gazette 35729, 2nd October 1942, Page 4328
SURNAME
Bradshaw
FORENAME
Leslie Charles
UNIT
A Commando (X Company)
RANK
Marine
NUMBER
105411
AWARD
Military Medal
PLACE
Dieppe 1942
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Easington Coliery, County Durham
later 30 Assault Unit
postwar Insurance Manager (Prudential Insurance Company)...
SURNAME
Balloche
FORENAME
Francois
UNIT
10 Commando (1 Troop) attached 4 Commando (F Troop)
RANK
Sergeant
NUMBER
4900 F.N. 40
AWARD
Military Medal,Medaille Militaire (Fr)
PLACE
Dieppe 1942
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
parent unit 1 Bn de Fusiliers Marins,French Navy (Petty Officer)
SURNAME
Adderton
FORENAME
Victor
UNIT
3 Commando
RANK
Private
NUMBER
4974035
AWARD
Military Medal
PLACE
Dieppe 1942
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
later served with 14 Commando
SURNAME
Abbott
FORENAME
John Herbert Ronald
UNIT
3 Commando
RANK
Gunner
NUMBER
927138
AWARD
Military Medal
PLACE
Dieppe 1942
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 10.07.1922, Epping, Essex, England
father Claude V. Abbott (1888-1951)
mother Dorothy Annie Wilkinson (1893-1955)
parent...
SURNAME
Wigmore
FORENAME
Harold Arthur
UNIT
"A" Commando
RANK
Marine
NUMBER
PO/X 886
DATE OF DEATH
19th August 1942
AGE
30
GRAVESITE
Calais Canadian War Cemetery,France 8.F.3
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
son of Charles and Sarah Jane Wigmore,Maidenhead,Berkshire
KIA Dieppe
SURNAME
Walker
FORENAME
Percy Edward
UNIT
"A" Commando
RANK
Marine
NUMBER
PO/X 2542
DATE OF DEATH
19th August 1942
AGE
22
GRAVESITE
Portsmouth Naval Memorial,Hampshire Panel 70 Column 3
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
KIA Dieppe