80th Dieppe

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 04/07/2022 10:30:57

A Tribute to No4 Commando following the Dieppe raid

Oh, gallant men our nations pride
Whose valour cannot be denied
Their name is echoed far and wide
The Fighting Fourth Commando

Their deeds shall live from age to age
They've writ their name on History's page
Upheld their glorious heritage
The Fighting Fourth Commando

At dawn they made that fateful raid
Advancing grim and undismayed
They fought undaunted, unafraid
The Fighting Fourth Commando

For us they trod the depths of hell
Faced certain death from fire and shell
They did their job they did it well
The Fighting Fourth Commando

Some paid the price with battle scars
Some passed beyond all earthly bars
Their names are written in the stars
The Fighting Fourth Commando

Oh Lord above, who art with us yet
When Time the healing hand hath set
Be with us Lord "Lest we forget"
The Gallant Fourth Commando

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 04/07/2022 10:47:50

Major James Dunning account:

Lovat's basic plan was to split the force into two groups and carry out a simple "fire and movement" operation on a Commando basis, but limiting the size of his entire fighting force to just four troops (A, B, C and F) plus Commando specialists, namely signallers, medics and the intelligence section and some other attached personnel from outside the Commando. Each of the four fighting troops, however, was made up to full strength, and lame ducks or non-runners, being replaced with selected men from D and E troops. As a result the force, including four US rangers, three French Commandos for No 10 (IA), two signallers from the Canadian Division (to provide a link between the Canadians landing at nearby Pourville and No 4), an officer and two signallers from Phantom Squadron (to provide links between No 4, the overall commander of Operation Jubilee and COHQ back in Britain), made a total of 255 all ranks. Group 1, under Major Mills-Roberts, consisted of C Troop, a fighting patrol from A Troop, the 3-in mortar detachment and some of the attached person mentioned above. This group would land on Orange One, climb the cliff by one or other of the gullies, make a direct approach to a wood in front of Hess battery and engage it with accurate small-arms fire, thus carrying out the 'fire' element of the plan. Meanwhile, Group 2, led by Lord Lovat, and consisting of B and F Troops plus the rest of A Troop, would land at Orange Two. Then after dealing with the beach defenses and detaching the A Troop section to act as a protective force between Groups 1 and 2, it would move with all possible speed along the eastern side of the River Saane to a position at the rear of Hess battery, whence it would assault and destroy the guns and the garrison. After destroying the battery, Group 2 would withdraw through Group 1 down to the gully and to the beach, Orange One, where all the LCAs would be ready to re-embark the whole force.

In Memory of all those who died or suffered life changing injuries during Operation Jubilee at Dieppe on the 19th August 1942.

The ROH for the Commando Fallen:https://www.commandoveterans.org/dieppe-roh

A partial nominal roll primarily of No.4 Commando and some others who took part: https://www.commandoveterans.org/DieppeNomRoll

Some additional detail from the Archive and more names can be found here: [view details]]

We will remember them

Thanks Pete

Bill

Remembered with honour

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 20/08/2022 10:18:01

In Canada Square Dieppe Peter Kenny laid the Commando Association wreath alongside the Royal Marine Commando wreath on 19th August 2022.

Remembered with honour.

Bill