Monday, June 13, 2022

Research: Post-Dieppe, Aug. 26-31, 1942 (Pt 2)

 McNaughton Gives His Thots About the Dieppe Raid

Dieppe Losses are Still Mounting, One Week Later

Headline from the TRIB - as found at Univ. of Manitoba

Introduction:

One week after the Dieppe Raid, news about its background planning and results - including lists related to casualties (with special notice concerning those from Winnipeg and Manitoba; understandable positive bias from The Winnipeg Tribune) - were found in newspapers across Canada. 

Occasionally an article was written by someone who was there, e.g., war correspondent Ross Munro (see next entry!), or based on information by someone in the military forces who had first-hand knowledge, e.g., General McNaughton, Commander in Chief of the Canadian Army in Britain.

News clippings found below will inform the reader not only concerning details re the Dieppe Raid but provide context as well about war-time matters and more. Editorial content, cartoons, ads for material good and more will provide a taste of the action and atmosphere on war fronts three years after the commencement of World War II.

Questions and comments can be sent to Editor, email - gordh7700@gmail.com

Below please find newspaper articles and more from The Winnipeg Tribune, Aug. 27, 1942:










Please click here to view a lengthy, informative account concerning the Dieppe Raid. Canada in the Second World War

One paragraph is provided below and lists some details about casualties during the raid:

At 0900, Hughes-Hallett and Roberts had to face the evidence: the Germans were still in control of the hills and were firing without mercy at the beaches. Orders were given to evacuate at 1100. The landing crafts sailed back towards the beaches under a smoke screen cover and partially protected by RAF fighters. Evacuation took place in utter confusion as fighting was still going on nearby. At 1220, the beaches could no longer be reached even if men were still there. HMS Calpe made a last attempt at 1248 and headed for the shore with two boats. The fleet then sailed back to England. The Dieppe raid was over. Some 3,367 men, including 2,752 Canadians remained on the beach, dead or soon to be made prisoners. 












In the piece below found on the Editorial page of The TRIB (page 6), R. T. Elson mentions two correspondents worth some of our attention, i.e., A. C. Cummings (see second last paragraph below), who contributed the very first article, re General McNaughton, in this post; Quentin Reynolds, 'Collier's correspondent,' who described the Canadian soldiers' fighting ability in an interesting way (see below):


Quentin Reynolds, mentioned above, wrote a book about his recollection of the Dieppe Raid (copyright, 1943) entitled RAID AT DIEPPE, 'originally published as DRESS REHEARSAL.' I read the book recently and will list it under 'click on HEADINGS' in the right hand margin ( i.e., books re combined operations) as soon as possible:



Photos of Front Cover, first page, Back Cover - GH

A. C. Cummings, not to be outcome, provides another article for the August 27, 1942 edition of The Winnipeg Tribune:





Fox Movietone News Reels were widely distributed to U.S. and Canadian movie theatres during World War II and many can now be found online; please click here to see a lengthy collection.

Some very good writing about the role of the RCNVR during WWII can be found in Canadian newspapers, including The TRIB:










I am sure that many readers will agree that a good number of WWII photos of groups of servicemen reveal that 'ciggies' were commonplace. Canadian service groups sent a lot of items overseas that 'the boys' required or wanted, e.g., chocolate, soap, socks, and smokes, etc. Navy boys sure liked their Sweet Caps!


Canadians in Combined Ops sit upon their landing craft (hanging from davits?)
Two sailors have a smoke on the go. Front right is my father, Doug Harrison
Photo - from the collection of Lloyd Evans, back row, second from right


The last clipping: It's the first time I've read in the newspaper that someone missed the Dieppe Raid for a given reason. McGill "was assigned to other duties"; my father wrote in memoirs that he "missed by one day, on leave at Calshot castle" (a camp on opposite side of the river to Southampton).

More clippings from The Trib to follow.

Please click here to view Research: Post-Dieppe, August 26-31, 1942 (Pt 1)

Unattributed Photos GH

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