The Purist
Elder Member
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2004
- Messages
- 2,917
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- In my castle by the sea, Trochu, AB
- First name
- Gerry
- Country
Oh, worry not. I agree that it was a disaster and just about everything that could go wrong did and I do not absolve the commanders of their share of the blame. My post was more directed at my fellow Canadians who dwell too damn much on this failed raid. Considering what the assult troops had to face, it is actually something of a miracle that 30% made it back.pmririshman said:You might want to read Brian Loring Villa Unauthorized Action: Mountbatten and the Dieppe Raid. Montgomery did more than just suggest cancelling the operation. He was involved with the idea of reducing air support in the mistaken hope of achieving suprise. Achieving surprise was a forlorn hope because the flank attacks took place a half-hour before the main landings. In consequence, the main landings lacked the fire support to accomplish their mission.
As for the fire support, it would have taken far more support (naval and air) than was available to the entire operation to have been of any real help. They were not trying to open a second front, it was only meant to be a raid. It failed,...badly. Take whatever lessons could be learned and move on. Tarawa was hardly a gem of a plan and the casualties also exceedingly heavy (shocking, actually) but it sure as heck taught the marines and US Navy a thing or two about opposed landings even as late as Nov 1943. So much for the pre-war marine exercises. They learned, they moved on, they succeeded later on with much reduced casualties.
However, I'm sure you will continue to look for reasons to despise the man,...fair enough,...whatever floats your boat and keeps you warm at night :devious:
Cheers, enjoyed the debate.
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