Dieppe, Canada's Costliest Day in World War II. Lest We Forget!

Stand down, Men. You served your King and Country well, now rest in peace. Lest we forget! We will remember them!

August 19, 1942 - World War II - Major General J. H. Roberts leads 4,963 troops from 7 regiments of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division, plus almost 1,000 British, in Operation Jubilee, a nine-hour raid on the small German-held port of Dieppe to test Hitler's Fortress Europe defences; Canadians suffer total of 3,500 casualties, with 900 killed, and 1,874 taken prisoner - Canada's costliest day in World War II; only 2,210 make it back to England; Captain John Weir Foote 1904-1988 and Lt.-Col. Charles C.I. Merritt 1908-1979 both win Victoria Crosses; gazetted Feb. 14, 1946. Rev. Foote, Canadian Chaplains' Service, was the padre of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry; during his eight hours on Dieppe beach, he tended the wounded while exposed to enemy fire; he climbed from the landing craft that was to have taken him to safety and let himself be taken prisoner so he could continue to tend the wounded men of his regiment. He is the only Canadian chaplain to receive the Victoria Cross. Merritt was C/O of the South Saskatchewan Regiment; despite serious wounds he kept leading his men across the Scie River before being taken prisoner; 81 men in the South Sasks were killed; awarded the VC for showing 'reckless bravery'. Dieppe, France

LCol Merritt's Victoria Cross citation:

Department of National Defence, Ottawa, 2nd October, 1942. 

The Canadian Army.

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of The VICTORIA CROSS to: — Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Cecil Ingersoll Merritt, The South Saskatchewan Regiment. 

For matchless gallantry and inspiring leadership whilst commanding his battalion during the Dieppe raid on the igth August, 1942. 

From the point of landing, his unit's advance had to be made across a bridge in Pourville which was swept by very heavy machine-gun, mortar and artillery fire: the first parties were mostly destroyed and jhe bridge thickly covered by their bodies. A daring lead was required; waving his helmet, Lieutenant-Colonel Merritt rushed forward shouting " Come on over! There's nothing to worry about here." 

He thus personally led the survivors of at least four parties in turn across the bridge. Quickly organizing these, he led them forward and when held up by enemy pillboxes he again headed rushes which succeeded in clearing them. In one case he ' himself destroyed the occupants of the post by throwing grenades into it. After several of his runners became casualties, he himself kept contact with his different positions.

Although twice wounded LieutenantColonel Merritt continued to direct the unit's operations with great vigour and determination and while organizing the withdrawal he stalked^ a sniper with a Bren gun and silenced him. He then coolly gave orders for the departure and announced his intention to hold off and " get even with " the enemy. When last seen he was collecting Bren and Tommy guns and preparing a defensive position which successfully covered the withdrawal from the beach.

Padre Foote's Victoria Cross citation:

Department of National Defence, Ottawa, 14th February, 1946.

The Canadian Army.

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the VICTORIA CROSS to: —

Honorary Captain John Weir FOOTE, Canadian Chaplain Services.

At Dieppe, on 19th August, 1942, Honorary Captain Foote, Canadian Chaplain Services, was Regimental Chaplain with the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry.

Upon landing on the beach under heavy fire he attached himself to the Regimental Aid Post which had been set up in a slight depression on the beach, but which was only sufficient to give cover to men lying down. During the subsequent period of approximately eight hours, while the action continued, this officer not only assisted the Regimental Medical Officer in ministering to the wounded in the Regimental Aid Post, but time and again left this shelter to inject morphine, give first-aid and carry wounded personnel from the open beach to the Regimental Aid Post. On these occasions, with utter disregard for his personal safety, Honorary Captain Foote exposed himself to an inferno of fire and saved many lives by his gallant efforts. During the action, as the tide went out, the Regimental Aid Post was moved to the shelter of a stranded landing craft. Honorary Captain Foote continued tirelessly and courageously to carry wounded men from the exposed beach to the cover of the landing craft. He also removed wounded from inside the landing craft when ammunition had been set on fire by enemy shells. When landing craft appeared he carried wounded from the Regimental Aid Post to the landing craft through very heavy fire.

On several occasions this officer had the opportunity to embark but returned to the beach as his chief concern was the care and evacuation of the wounded. He refused a final opportunity to leave the shore, choosing to suffer the fate of the men he had ministered to for over three years.

Honorary Captain Foote personally saved many lives by his efforts and his example inspired all around him. Those who observed him state that the calmness of this heroic officer, as he walked about, collecting the wounded on the fire-swept beach will never be forgotten.