Operation Fusilade
The Second World War Operation Fusilade, was the planned set piece assault on the French port of Dieppe. In the event, the German occupiers, not having received orders to hold the town, had evacuated shortly before and the operation was largely cancelled. The 8th Reconnaissance Regiment (14th Canadian Hussars) of the 2nd Canadian Division entered the town unopposed on September 1, 1944, to a warm welcome from the French inhabitants.[1] The planned bombing of the town was hastily cancelled.[1]
The nearby small fishing port of Le Treport was taken on the same day by the 3rd Canadian Division.[2]
Some days later, there was a memorial ceremony at the nearby Canadian military cemetery to honour the fallen of the 1942 Dieppe Raid.[3]
Aftermath
The Germans had only partly demolished the port facilities and bridges,[2] and the first ships unloaded on 6 September and a train left on the 9th with petrol and oil for Brussels.[4] Dieppe was able to supply a quarter of the needs of the 21st Army Group.[2]
References
- "REPORT NO. 183; CANADIAN PARTICIPATION IN THE OPERATIONS IN NORTH WEST EUROPE, 1944. PART IV: FIRST CANADIAN ARMY IN THE PURSUIT (23 AUG - 30 SEP)" (PDF). HISTORICAL SECTION, CANADIAN MILITARY HEADQUARTERS. Retrieved 9 July 2009.
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- ^ a b Report 183, para.157
- ^ a b c "The Campaign in North-West Europe: The Channel Ports, September 1944". The Canadian Army, 1939-1945. Department of National Defence. p. 224. Archived from the original on 2010-07-06. Retrieved 5 Jan 2010.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Report 183, para.158
- ^ Report 183, para.160
See also