Untitled Document
Dieppe
Was Dieppe really a turning point in the war and a defining moment for Canada, or was it simply another battle lost to the Germans during the war? On August 19th, 1942, Canadian troops, along with groups of British and American soldiers, attacked the heavily fortified Germanheld seaport of Dieppe, located on French soil. Stories about the attack popped up everywhere in the times following the attack, outlining the goingson of this historical battle. The battle of Dieppe was a defining moment in Canadian history because it affected future battles, it demonstrated Canada’s devotion to the war, and it was one of the biggest mission failures. Firstly, Dieppe affected future battles in many ways. It proved that aerial bombings were key to supporting the troops during the attack and that these bombings were more important than the minor surprise gained by ground forces by not using them before hand. The raid also proved that capturing a seaport for later use in expanding Allied forces into mainland Europe would not work as long as it was well defended, and that communication between the army’s forces during the battle was vital to the mission’s success.1 Secondly, Dieppe demonstrated Canada’s devotion to the war. For the raid, Canada donated over 5000 soldiers to the attack, along with many tanks and other equipment. Canadian troops also aided Stalin and his Russian forces by essentially distracting the Germans from the
Russian front. Canada, being an ally to Britain and having its best wishes, attempted to help Britain get a seaport for later use in its expansion into mainland Europe. This capturing would allow British troops to move in to attack the Nazi German armies occupying much of central Europe, as well as to set up defensive positions in the area. Despite Canada’s efforts, the attack turned into a giant failure.2 Lastly, Dieppe was one of the biggest mission failures. Of the 5000 soldiers sent by
Canada to participate in the
Was Dieppe really a turning point in the war and a defining moment for Canada, or was it simply another battle lost to the Germans during the war? On August 19th, 1942, Canadian troops, along with groups of British and American soldiers, attacked the heavily fortified Germanheld seaport of Dieppe, located on French soil. Stories about the attack popped up everywhere in the times following the attack, outlining the goingson of this historical battle. The battle of Dieppe was a defining moment in Canadian history because it affected future battles, it demonstrated Canada’s devotion to the war, and it was one of the biggest mission failures. Firstly, Dieppe affected future battles in many ways. It proved that aerial bombings were key to supporting the troops during the attack and that these bombings were more important than the minor surprise gained by ground forces by not using them before hand. The raid also proved that capturing a seaport for later use in expanding Allied forces into mainland Europe would not work as long as it was well defended, and that communication between the army’s forces during the battle was vital to the mission’s success.1 Secondly, Dieppe demonstrated Canada’s devotion to the war. For the raid, Canada donated over 5000 soldiers to the attack, along with many tanks and other equipment. Canadian troops also aided Stalin and his Russian forces by essentially distracting the Germans from the
Russian front. Canada, being an ally to Britain and having its best wishes, attempted to help Britain get a seaport for later use in its expansion into mainland Europe. This capturing would allow British troops to move in to attack the Nazi German armies occupying much of central Europe, as well as to set up defensive positions in the area. Despite Canada’s efforts, the attack turned into a giant failure.2 Lastly, Dieppe was one of the biggest mission failures. Of the 5000 soldiers sent by
Canada to participate in the