The Dieppe Raid was the deadliest day for Canada during the Second World War and is often overshadowed by Canada’s accomplishment at Juno Beach during D-Day. On August 19, 1942, close to 5,000 Canadian troops stormed the rocky beach of Dieppe, France. Over 900 Canadians were killed during Operation Jubilee and another 2,000 were captured by German soldiers. Another 210 allied soldiers, mostly British, were also killed. Those men were honoured at a ceremony in Dieppe on Sunday afternoon to mark the 84th anniversary of the raid. Dieppe Military Veterans’ Association president, Sylvain Bouliane, said Canadians have a duty to remember the brave men lost on the beaches. “In only a few hours, over 900 Canadians lost their life, 922 to be specific. Nearly 2,000 were taken prisoner and many others were wounded. Behind every number was a son, a brother, a husband, a father and a friend whose sacrifice forever changed the lives of those left behind,” said Bouliane. The raid was an amphibious attack on Nazi occupied France to test the strength of German coastal defences. Retired Major Gary Scott of the Dieppe Military Veterans’ Association believes Dieppe is a bit of a forgotten battle in Canada, but said important lessons were learned for Operation Overlord on June 6, 1944, when the allies successfully landed on the beaches of Normandy. “It was probably a training ground,” said Scott. “It was sort of a disaster. Dieppe was a disaster. We had a lot of deaths, a lot of prisoners, a lot of men didn’t come home.” Dieppe, N.B. was originally known as Leger Corner but was renamed Dieppe in 1946 in honour of the Canadian soldiers who died that day. Retired Master Warrant Officer Paul Dupuis spent 49 years in the Canadian Army and never misses the ceremony. “We shouldn’t forget the sacrifice, the ultimate sacrifice these people did,” said Dupuis. “Me and my brother we always come down, and I can’t forget the Dieppe raid because it’s my birthday, the 19th. Four boys and my father, we’re all veterans. So, it’s in the blood.” The ceremony was attended by about 100 people including many politicians, guests of honour, cadets and veterans. Click here for a collection of photos of the 84th Anniversary of the Dieppe Raid. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
