by Tim Saunders
Engineers
Toronto Scottish (Machine Gun
Battalion)
2nd Canadian Division Royal
Canadian Service Corps
2nd Canadian Light Field Ambulance
2nd Canadian Division Royal
Canadian Ordnance Corps
2nd Canadian Division Canadian
Provost Corps
2nd Canadian Division Canadian
Intelligence Corps
GHQ Reconnaissance Regiment
Commando Forces (Under command
2nd Canadian Division)
Number 3 Commando
Number 4 Commando
A Commando Royal Marines
Detachment 10 Inter-Allied
Commando
Detachment 1st US Rangers
Air Forces – Air Marshal T Leigh-
Mallory CB DSO
Kenley Sector
Kenley – 4 Squadrons
Redhill – 3 Squadrons
Northolt Sector
Northolt – 2 Squadrons
Heston – 2 Squadrons
Redhill – 1 Squadron
Tangmere Sector
Merston – 2 Squadrons
W. Hampnett – 1 Squadron
Thorney Island – 2 Squadrons
Shoreham – 2 Squadrons
Friston – 2 Squadrons
Ford – 4 Squadrons (2 x Hurribombers & 2 Day Bomber)
Thruxton – 1 Squadron (Boston aircraft for smoke)
Debden Sector
Gravesend – 3 Squadrons
Hawkinge – 2 Squadrons
North Weald Sector
Southend – 2 Squadrons
Manston – 4 Squadrons
Hornchurch Sector
Hornchurch – 3 Squadrons
Fairlop – 2 Squadrons
W./ Malling – 4 Squadrons
Biggin Hill Sector
Biggin Hill – 3 Squadrons
Lympne – 2 Squadrons
Eastchurch – 2 Squadrons
Hawkinge – 1 Squadron
Army Co-operation Squadrons
Gatwick – 3 Squadrons
Thruxton 2 (Smoke laying
aircraft)
Appendix 1
Victoria Cross Citations
ANTHONY PORTEOUS, R.A.
Captain (Temporary Major), 73033, Royal Artillery
Victoria Cross
War Office - 2nd October 1942.
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the VICTORIA CROSS to:
Captain (temporary Major) Patrick Anthony PORTEOUS (73033), Royal Regiment of Artillery (Fleet, Hants.).
At Dieppe on the 19th August, 1942, Major Porteous was detailed to act as Liaison Officer between the two detachments whose task was to assault the heavy coast defence guns.
In the initial assault, Major Porteous, working with the smaller of the two detachments, was shot at close range through the hand, the bullet passing through his palm and entering his upper arm.
Undaunted, Major Porteous closed with his assailant, succeeded in disarming him and killed him with his own bayonet thereby saving the life of a British Sergeant on whom the German had turned his aim.
In the meantime, the larger detachment was held up, and the officer leading this detachment was killed and the Troop Sergeant-Major fell seriously wounded. Almost immediately afterwards the only other officer of the detachment was also killed.
Major Porteous, without hesitation and in the face of a withering fire, dashed across the open ground to take over the command of this detachment. Rallying them, he led them in a charge, which carried the German position at the point of the bayonet, and was severely wounded for the second time. Though shot through the thigh he continued to the final objective where he eventually collapsed from loss of blood after the last of the guns had been destroyed.
Major Porteous’s most gallant conduct, his brilliant leadership and tenacious devotion to a duty, which was supplementary to the role originally assigned to him, was an inspiration to the whole detachment.
LIEUT.-COL. CHARLES CECIL INGERSOLL MERRITT
South Saskatchewan Regiment
Victoria Cross
Department of National Defence, Ottawa. 2nd October 1942.
THE CANADIAN ARMY
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of The VICTORIA CROSS to:
Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Cecil Ingersoll MERRITT, The South Saskatchewan Regiment.
For matchless gallantry and inspiring leadership whilst commanding his battalion during the Dieppe raid an the 19th August 1942. From the point of landing, his unit’s advance had to be made across a bridge in Pourville which was swept by very heavy machine-gun, mortar and artillery fire: the first parties were mostly destroyed and the bridge thickly covered by their bodies. A daring lead was required; waving his helmet, Lieutenant-Colonel Merritt rushed forward shouting “Come on over! There’s nothing to worry about here.” He thus personally led the survivors of at least four parties m turn across the bridge. Quickly organizing these, he led them forward and when held up by enemy pillboxes he again headed rushes which succeeded in clearing them. In one case, he himself destroyed the occupants of the post by throwing grenades into it. After several of his runners became casualties, he himself kept contact with his different positions.
Although twice wounded Lieutenant-Colonel Merritt continued to direct the unit’s operations with great vigour and determination and while organizing the withdrawal he stalked a sniper with a Bren gun and silenced him. He then coolly gave orders for the departure and announced his intention to hold off and “get even with” the enemy. When last seen he was collecting Bren and Tommy guns and preparing a defensive position which successfully covered the withdrawal from the beach.
To this Commanding Officer’s personal daring, the success of unit’s operations and the safe re-embarkation of a large portion of it were chiefly due. Lieutenant-Colonel Merritt is now reported to be a Prisoner of War.
HONORARY CAPTAIN JOHN WEIR FOOTE
Canadian Chaplain Services Royal Hamilton Light Infantry
Victoria Cross
Department of National Defence, Ottawa. 14th February 1946.
THE CANADIAN ARMY
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the VICTORIA CROSS to:
Honorary Captain John Weir FOOTE, Canadian Chaplain Services.
At Dieppe, on 19th August, 1942, Honorary Captain Foote, Canadian Chaplain Services, was Regimental Chaplain with the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry. Upon landing on the beach under heavy fire he attached himself to the Regimental Aid Post which had been set up in a slight depression on the beach, but which was only sufficient to give cover to men lying down. During the subsequent period of approximately eight hours, while the action continued, this officer not only assisted the Regimental Medical Officer in ministering to the wounded in the Regimental Aid Post, but time and again left this shelter to inject morphine, give first-aid and carry wounded personnel from the open beach to the Regimental Aid Post. On these occasions, with utter disregard for his personal safety Honorary Captain Foote exposed himself to an inferno of fire and saved many lives by his gallant efforts. During the action, as the tide went out, the Regimental Aid post was moved to the shelter of a stranded landing craft. Honorary Captain Foote continued tirelessly and courageously to carry wounded men from the exposed beach to the cover of the landing craft. He also removed wounded from inside the landing craft when ammunition had been set on fire by enemy shells. When landing craft appeared he carried wounded from the Regimental Aid Post to the landing craft through very heavy fire.
On several occasions, this officer had the opportunity to embark but returned to the beach as his chief concern was the care and evacuation of the wounded. He refused a final opportunity to leave the shore, choosing to suffer the fate of the men he had ministered to for over three years.
Honorary Captain Foote personally saved many lives by his efforts and his exa
mple inspired all around him. Those who observed him state that the calmness of this heroic officer as he walked about, collecting the wounded on the fire-swept beach will never be forgotten.
Appendix 2
Advice to Visitors
Preparation and planning are important prerequisites for an enjoyable and successful tour. This section aims to give some advice to those who are travelling to France for the first time and acts as a checklist for the more seasoned traveller.
Travel Documentation
UK and European Union citizens are required to carry passports when travelling to France. However, many non-EU citizens will require a visa to visit France – check with the French Embassy in your country of origin before travelling.
Travel to Dieppe
Most visitors travelling to the Northern France do so by car. However, with Dieppe’s direct access by ferry, an increasing number of visitors are cycling around the battlefields. Whatever the visitors’ mode of travel around the Dieppe area, a journey originating in the UK has to cross the Channel. A wide range of options available. The most convenient ferry service is the route from Newhaven direct to Dieppe. The service, however, only typically operates from around Easter to the end of October. Delivering the visitor to Dieppe reduces continental driving and has the benefit of the view enjoyed by those who took part in the raid. An hour to the west is le Havre, which is served by ferries from Portsmouth. Choice for most visitors depends on the convenience of the sailing times and, of course, relative costs. To the east of Dieppe are the shorter, and consequently cheaper, crossings in the Calais area and or those who dislike ferries there is the Channel Tunnel, but this option, though quicker, is usually more expensive. From Calais, Dieppe can be easily reached via the autoroute in two hours but bear in mind tolls cost up to £5 each way. It is worth checking out all the options available and make your selection of routes based on UK travel, ferry times and cost. French law requires you to carry a full driving licence and a vehicle registration document. Do not forget a GB sticker if you do not have EU number plates with the blue national identifier square.
Insurance
It is important to check that you are properly insured to travel to France. Firstly, check with your insurance broker to ensure that you are covered for driving outside the UK and, secondly, make sure you have health cover. Form E111, available from main post offices, grants the bearer reciprocal treatment rights in France but, even so, the visitor should consider a comprehensive package of travel insurance. Such packages are available from a broker or travel agent. It is a legal requirement for a driver to carry a valid certificate of motor insurance. Be warned that without insurance, repatriating the sick or injured is very expensive, as is return of vehicles. Accommodation
There is a very wide range of hotels in the Dieppe area, ranging from five star to Chambres d’hotel, however, the latter are not as numerous as in Lower Normandy. The usual Ibis, Campaniele, Mercure chain hotels are to be found on the southern edge of town astride the D 915. Up to date contact details are available from the French Tourist Office, 178 Picadilly, London W1V 0AL (01891 244 123). Further details of accommodation and travel amenities are available from the office of Dieppe Tourisme. To telephone from the UK dial 0033, drop the 0 necessary for ringing within France.
Maps
Good maps are an essential prerequisite to a successful battlefield visit. Best of all is a combination of contemporary and modern maps. The Battleground series of course, provides a variety of maps. However, a number of modern map series are available in both the UK and in Dieppe. Most readily available in both countries are the Michelin 1:200,000 Yellow Series. Better still are the Institut Geographique National (IGN) 1:100,000 Serie Vert (Green Series) maps. Normally only available in the UK at a specialist map shop they can, however, be procured as a special order through high street bookshops such as Waterstones. The Series Vert maps have the advantage of showing contours and other details such as unmade roads and tracks. The most detailed maps, readily available in France, are the IGN Serie Bleue in 1:25,000 scale. The map covering Dieppe can normally be found in the tourist shops in Dieppe. However, if you are planning your tour well in advance, large retailers in the UK can order Serie Bleue maps, given sufficient notice. The London map retailer Stamfords, provides a quick and easy method of ordering IGN maps on line.
Courtesy
Much of the area where the flanking attacks took place is open farmland but many of the villages in the area have expanded and the German strong points have in some cases been built over, around or enclosed. Please respect private property in both open country and villages, particularly avoiding driving on unmade up farm tracks and entering non-public areas. Adequate views of the scene of the action can be gained from public land rights of way. In all cases, please be careful not to block roads by careless car parking. The people of Northern France extend a genuine welcome to those who come to honour the memory of those who raided Dieppe in 1942. To preserve this welcome please respect the local people and their property.
Bibliography
Dieppe Revisited – A Documentary Investigation. John P Campbell. Frank Cass & Co Ltd 1993
Dieppe 1943 – The Jubilee Disaster. Ronald Atkin. Mac Millan 1980
Clash by Night. Brigadier Derek Mills-Roberts William Kimber 1956
The Commandos at Dieppe. Will Fowler. Harper Collins 2002
Combined Operations. HMSO 1943
Unauthorised Action – Mountbatten and the Dieppe Raid. Brian Loring Villa Oxford University Press 1989
Dieppe Tragedy to Triumph. Brigadier Denis and Shelagh Whitaker Leo Cooper 1992
INDEX
Abbeville air raid
Air battle
Air photography
Airborne Forces
Alanbrooke, Field Marshal Sir
Andrews, Lieutenant Colonel
Arques-la-Bataille
Bangalore Torpedo
Bartelt, Oberstleutenant Herman
Berneval (Goebbles Battery)
Blue Beach (Puys)
Bombardment-air
Bridport (Dorset)
British Army Units:
Eighth Army1 Para
Devonshire Regiment
Bruneval Raid
Canadian Army:
Raising of
Arival in UK
Inactivity
Training
Units:
2nd Canadian Division
4th Infantry Brigade
6th Infantry Brigade
Calgary Regiment
Royal Canadian Engineers
Black Watch of Canada
Essex Scottish
Fusiliers Mont Royal, les
Royal Hamilton Light Infantry
Royal Regiment of Canada
South Saskatchewan Regiment
Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada
Casino
Catto, Lieutenant Colonel
Cauldron, Operation
Churchill Tank track layer
Churchill Tank
Churchill, Winston Spencer
Cole, Air Commodore
Collar, Operation
Commandos
No.Commando
No.Commando
Raising of
Royal Marine Commando
Special Service Brigade
Training
Combined Operations
Crear, General
Destroyers, Hunt Class
Dieppe:
Aims of the raid
Bombardment
Planning
Plans of landing of tanks
Selection
Tides
Topography
Dorset
Dumais, Sergeant Major
Durnford-Slater, Lieutenant Colonel
Eastern Headland (le Polet)
Envermeu
Esplanade
Foch, Boulevard Marschal
Foke Wulf
Foote, Padre John
Ford, Exercise
s
Four Winds Farm
Führer Order Forty
German Army:
Fifteenth Armie
LXXXI Korps
10th Panzer Division
110th Infantry Division
302nd Infantry Division
570 Infantry Regiment
571 Infantry Regiment
I/571
II/571
III/571
I/302 Artillery Regiment
2nd Battery, 770 Coastal Artillery
Regiment (Goebbels Battery)
813 Battery (Hesse Battery)
German Recce Flights
Goebbles Battery
Gostling, lieutenant colonel
Green Beach (Pourville)
Haase, Generalmajor Conrad
Haase, Oberstgeneral Curt
Hess Battery
Hughes-Hallet, Captain RN
Intelligence
Isle of White
Jasperson, Lieutenant Colonel
Jubilee, Operation
Kuntzen, General
Labat, Lieutenant Colonel
Leigh-Mallory, Air Marshal
Mann, Brigadier
Marechal Foch, Boulevard
McNaughton, General
Menard, Lieutenant Colonel
Merritt, Lieutenant Colonel
Messerschmitt ME-109
Mills-Roberts, Major Derek
Montgomery, Lieutenant General
Mountbatten, Admiral
Munro, Ross
Naval gunfire Support
Naval ships - British:
Naval Force
Naval Group
Naval Group
Albrington, HMS
Fernie, HMS
Locust, HMS
Steam Gunboat
Steam Gunboat(Grey Goose)
