Evening star., 1942-09-18

( was obtained. Here the South Sas-
katchewan Regiment, commanded
by Lit. Col. c. C. l. Merritt tof Belle
vile, Ontsrio). landed with COM
paratively little initial opposition
and captured their first objectives,
taking number of prisoners and
clearing enemy positions.
Subsequently, the Queens Own
Cameron Highlanders of Canada,
! commanded by 1t Col A. C. Cost
ling tof Winnipeg, Manitoba). who
was killed Immediately he stepped
ashore, passed through the bridge
head established by the South Sas-
katchewan Regiment, and, under the
command Of Maj A. T. Law, pene-
/ trated about miles inland on the
/ west side of the River Scie.
During this advance they inflicted
considerable losses on the enemy.
On the beaches fronting Dieppe
itself the attack was delivered on
the right by the Royal Hamilton
Light Infantry, commanded by 1t.
Col. r. r. Labatt tof Hamilton)
and on the left by the Essex Scot
tish, commanded by 1t. Col. F. K.
Jasperson (of Windsor, Ontario). .
These units were closely followed
by the first wave of Churchill tanks
of the 14th Canadian Army Tank
Battalion Calgary Regimenp, COM
manded by 1t. Col. J. G.. Andrews
(of Barrie, Ontario).
Although the Dieppe defenses had
been heavily engaged before the as
Sault by naval bombardment and
waves of Hurricane bombers, the
troops came under heavy fire from
concealed posts in the two head
lands to the west and east of the
beaches, and also from artillery sited
under cover of the first line OF
buildings.
Some Never Got Of Beach.
The first. wave OF tanks was land
ed successfully and most valuable
knowledge was gained as a result;
but they came under direct fire
as soon as they came off the land
ing craft, and while some immedi-
ately got on to the boulevard in
front vi the town and penetrated
further, others did not get off the
, beach.
The engineers. charged with the
particularly perilous and dificult
task OF carrying on assault demoh-
tions in the face of heavy fire, did
their work most gallantly. They
were, however, unable fully to
breach the seawall, and some OF the
tanks were unable to cross it.
Although a number of these were
soon immobilized by damage, their
crews continued to fire their guns
with the most intrepid courage, en-
gaging the batteries which were
firing on the beaches and on the
craft offshore.
About one hour after the first
landing at this point information
received indicated that the beach
was sufficiently cleared to permit
the landing of the floating reserve.
In consequence the Fusiliers Ont
Royal, commanded by 1t. Col. D.
Menard (of MontreaD, were ordered
to land and to establish themselves
on the beach and on the edge of
the town of Dieppe.
The Royal Hamilton Light In
fantry, attacking with great dash,
had succeeded in capturing the
casino, which was prominent fea-
ture on the front OF the town and
was, most heavily fortified. Strong
road blocks across the heads of the
streets leading into the town and
the heavy fire brought to bear from
the houses facing the esplanade and
beach were obstacles to further
progress.
Nevertheless, small parties Of vari-
Gus units fought their way into the
town and penetrated for some dis
tance at number of points.
Exposed to Heavy Fire.
On the eastern section OF the
beach in front of the town the ad-
vance of the Essex Scottish was him
dered by the enemy's heavy wire OBJ
stacles which were covered by ex-
tremely heavy fire. The men of this
unit, advancing with great courage
to close with the enemy, were ex-
posed to heavy fire from enemy
mortars and suffered very numerous
casualties.
Withdrawal following 4 raid of