The Dieppe Raid

Canada Post Corporation's on-going tribute to heroic achievements and sacrifices of Canadians during the Second World War continues with a set of four stamps marking 1942 as the "darkest days" of the war. Certainly the most controversial battle of the war involving Canadians was the Dieppe Raid on August 19, 1942. During a nine-hour battle, 900 Canadians soldiers were killed and 1,900 taken prisoner. The surprise attack strategy of Operation Jubilee, originally cancelled one month earlier, seemed doomed, as too many were aware of the destination. A German convoy discovered the fleet and quickly alerted land forces. The German guns, which were supposed to have been destroyed in advance, remained intact - and the Canadians were pinned to the beaches under heavy shelling. Two outstanding Canadian heroes of the day were Chaplain John Foote and Lt. Colonel C.C.I. Merritt, both of whom were awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery.