Evening star., 1942-09-18
ext OF Canadian Statement on Raid Against Dieppe
Conduct Of Troops Reconnaissance Minister
oeh Are Found Action

tensive special program of combined
operations training. While details
of this training cannot be given.
it is possible to state that the Cana
dian military units chosen to partici-
pate were trained on suitable terrain
within the United Kingdom, where
/ conditions could be considered to
approximately those in which the
operation was to be conducted.
Most careful precautions were
taken for the maintenance of secre-
cy. Special means were used to
conceal the movement of troops
Thanks to the precautions taken it
is believed that the enemy in spite
OF the size of the force involved and
the necessary magnitude of the
preparations, had no information
that specific operation against
the Dieppe area was projected.
However, in consequence of our
avowed aggressive policy. he had been
strengthening his position on the
French coast generally. and during
the raid 1t became clear that the
enemy had recently brought addi-
tional troops and guns into the
Dieppe area.
This appears to have been done
as part OF general policy of REIN
forcement of coastal areas. The
Germans on the French coast were
therefore in what may be called a
state OF general alert.
Plan Of Operation. ~.
Topography of Dieppe area and
operation plan:
The town of Dieppe lies ut the
mouth OF the River D'Arques, which
provides a fairly spacious harbor
lying to the south and east of the
town. East of the river and harbor
is lofty headland overlooking the
town and similar headland lies
Immediately to the west.
On great part of the coast in
this vicinity cliffs make a landing
from the sea virtually impossible.
but there are areas of low ground
providing avenues to the interior
in the vicinity of Puts, a little more
than mile to the east of the river,
and Pourville, situated at the mouth
OF the River Scie, about mile and
half west of the town.
The beach immediately in front
OF De ppe itself is suitable for land
Ing operations, but the approach
to the town is obstructed by a sea-
wall which the Germans had turned
into more formidable obstacle by
the use OF heavy barbed wire. while
the beach Is also commanded by the
headlands on either side.
The plan for the opel alton pro-
vlded tnat assaults should be de-
iiyered by special service brigade
troops against enemy coastal bat
teries at Varengeville, roughly S.
miles west of Dieppe, and Berneval.
roughly 6 miles east of the town.
The capture or disablement of the
enemy guns at these points was
considered necessary to the safety
OF our naval vessels offshore and
the successful execution of the land
Ing operations closer to the town.
Other Landings Arranged.
simultaneously with the special
service brigade attacks at these
places Canadian forces were to land
at Pourville and Puts. The troops
landed at Puts were to secure the
headland east of Dieppe, from which
tie enemy would otherwise be in
position to menace landings at
tempted on the beach in front OF
the town itself. 80
The main attack was to be deliv-
cred against the front of the town.
following naval and air lombard
ment. Heavy tanks were to be
employed in this attack in support
OF the Canadian infantry.
The need for knowledge and ex-
perlence concerning the transport
and landing of tanks was funda-
mental to the operational plan. The
tanks once ashore, it was, of course,
hoped to re-embark them if condi-
tions were favorable. Orders were
given, however, that tanks were to
be disabled and left behind if it
were q choice of re-embarking men
or machines.
AS the operation began, the French
population were apprised by radio
that 1t was definitely not an in