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.
SURNAME
Beesley
FORENAME
Jack
UNIT
"A" Commando
RANK
Sergeant
NUMBER
CH/X 844
DATE OF DEATH
19th August 1942
AGE
27
GRAVESITE
Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery,France A.10
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 15.09.1914, Walthamstow, Essex, UK
son of John Edwin Thomas and Gertrude...
SURNAME
Alexander
FORENAME
John Moir
UNIT
A Commando (X Company)
RANK
Marine
NUMBER
PO/X 4237
DATE OF DEATH
19th August 1942
AGE
21
GRAVESITE
Portsmouth Naval Memorial,Hampshire Panel 70 Column 2
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 26.07.1921, Dundee, Scotland
son of Margaret...
SURNAME
Hillerns
FORENAME
Michael Guy
UNIT
attached 3 Commando (J Squadron GHQ Liaison Reg.(Phantom))
RANK
Lieutenant
NUMBER
172148
DATE OF DEATH
19th August 1942
AGE
26
GRAVESITE
Brookwood Memorial,Surrey Panel 9 Column 3
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
parent unit Devonshire...
SURNAME
Wills
FORENAME
Herbert Charles
UNIT
3 Commando
RANK
Private
NUMBER
5613511
DATE OF DEATH
30th October 1943
AGE
36
GRAVESITE
Poznan Old Garrison Cemetery,Poland 7.B.8
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
parent unit Devonshire Regiment
born 10.10.1905 Dorset
son of Fredrick and...
SURNAME
Whittaker
FORENAME
Jack
UNIT
4 Commando
RANK
Guardsman
NUMBER
2620598
DATE OF DEATH
19th August 1942
AGE
22
GRAVESITE
Brookwood Memorial,Surrey Panel 8 Column 2
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
parent unit Grenadier Guards
born Cheshire
son of John and Helena...
SURNAME
Whatley
FORENAME
John
UNIT
4 Commando
RANK
Lance Corporal
NUMBER
5387562
DATE OF DEATH
19th August 1942
AGE
27
GRAVESITE
Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery,France Sp.Mem.No 1
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
parent unit Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
born Oxford...
SURNAME
Watters
FORENAME
Joseph
UNIT
4 Commando
RANK
Rifleman
NUMBER
7012390
DATE OF DEATH
19th August 1942
AGE
26
GRAVESITE
Brookwood Memorial, Surrey Panel 14 Column 3
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
parent unit Royal Ulster Rifles
born Co.Antrim
resided Belfast
son of James...
SURNAME
Wall
FORENAME
William
UNIT
3 Commando
RANK
Gunner
NUMBER
5257434
DATE OF DEATH
19th August 1942
AGE
29
GRAVESITE
Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery,France F.66
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
parent unit Royal Artillery
born Smethwick
son of Robert and Lilian Wall
husband of...
SURNAME
Wadsworth
FORENAME
Hubert Samuel (Micky)
UNIT
3 Commando
RANK
Gunner
NUMBER
1610143
DATE OF DEATH
20th August 1942
AGE
24
GRAVESITE
Gamaches Communal Cemetery,France near North-Eastern corner
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
parent unit Royal Artillery
born...
SURNAME
Tucker
FORENAME
George Arthur
UNIT
4 Commando
RANK
Signalman
NUMBER
2586214
DATE OF DEATH
19th August 1942
AGE
21
GRAVESITE
Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery,France Ste Marguerite-sur-Mer Churchyard Memorial
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
parent unit Royal Corps of Signals...
SURNAME
Thomas
FORENAME
James Howard
UNIT
3 Commando (attached from R.A.)
RANK
Captain
NUMBER
71046
DATE OF DEATH
19th August 1942
AGE
25
GRAVESITE
Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery,France D.62
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
parent unit Royal Artillery
born India
resided London SE...
SURNAME
Teasdale
FORENAME
Fred
UNIT
3 Commando
RANK
Sergeant
NUMBER
3601057
DATE OF DEATH
20th August 1942
AGE
23
GRAVESITE
Gamaches Communal Cemetery,France near North-Eastern corner
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
parent unit Border Regiment
born Cumberland
son of Albert and...
SURNAME
Taylor
FORENAME
John
UNIT
4 Commando
RANK
Lance Corporal
NUMBER
3850897
DATE OF DEATH
19th August 1942
AGE
35
GRAVESITE
Brookwood Military Cemetery,Surrey 38.C.19
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
true name Moss,John
parent unit Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire)
born...
SURNAME
Sutton
FORENAME
George Henry
UNIT
4 Commando
RANK
Private
NUMBER
4347101
DATE OF DEATH
19th August 1942
AGE
25
GRAVESITE
Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery,France C.58
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
parent unit East Yorkshire Regiment
born Hull,Yorkshire
son of G.W. and Mrs...
SURNAME
Sharp
FORENAME
Thomas Robert
UNIT
3 Commando
RANK
Fusilier
NUMBER
3133573
DATE OF DEATH
19th August 1942
AGE
29
GRAVESITE
Brookwood Memorial,Surrey Panel 10 Column 3
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
parent unit Royal Scots Fusiliers
born Glasgow
son of Thomas Robert and...
SURNAME
Rhodes
FORENAME
Francis Mons
UNIT
3 Commando
RANK
Private
NUMBER
5956694
DATE OF DEATH
19th August 1942
AGE
27
GRAVESITE
Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery,France F.71
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
parent unit Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment
born London SE
resided...
SURNAME
Randall
FORENAME
Joseph Howard
UNIT
attached 3 Commando
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
from...
SURNAME
Pickersgill
FORENAME
Ernest
UNIT
3 Commando
RANK
Fusilier
NUMBER
3127649
DATE OF DEATH
19th August 1942
AGE
29
GRAVESITE
Cayeux-sur-Mer Communal Cemetery,France Plot 1 Grave 13
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
parent unit Royal Scots Fusiliers
born Sunderland,Co.Durham...
SURNAME
Pettiward
FORENAME
Roger Gamelyn
UNIT
4 Commando (F Troop)
RANK
Captain
NUMBER
120922
DATE OF DEATH
19th August 1942
AGE
35
GRAVESITE
Brookwood Memorial,Surrey Panel 10 Column 2
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
parent unit Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment
born...
SURNAME
Bate
FORENAME
George
UNIT
10 Commando (X Troop),attached A (RM) Commando
RANK
Private
NUMBER
13801860
DATE OF DEATH
19th August 1942
AGE
28
GRAVESITE
Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery,France C.44
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
true name Oppelt,Gustav
parent unit 93 Company...
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