Mind’s On – Map Think/Share• Based on the map and

knowing a bit about Nazi occupation of France and expansion in other parts of Europe, brainstorm reasons the Canadians would attack Dieppe and their objectives in doing so

The Dieppe Raid

Reasons for Attack

1. To distract the Nazis from their attacks on the Soviet Union.

2. To give experience to Canadian soldiers who had been in Europe for two years without action

3. To give the leaders and planners experience in a large assault

The Objectives

1. To capture and remove Nazi barges2. To destroy Nazi arms and fortifications around Dieppe3. To destroy Nazi aerial fortifications around Dieppe4. To destroy radar rail lines, ports and gas reserves. 5. To capture prisoners6. To capture essential Nazi documents as well as radar

stations.

The Details

• Aug, 19th, 1942 – 6100 Allied troops depart, of which 5000 were Canadians, landed on the beaches of the French town of Dieppe

• Unfortunately, the raid was doomed from the start

• A German envoy encountered the Allied forces as they prepared to attack

• The German forces on the beaches were notified of the impending attacks

Problems

• The Allies had to delay the landing until daylight so the elements of surprise and darkness were lost

• The Canadians received heavy fire from the German forces perched on the cliffs above the beaches

• Tanks that were supposed to support the troops sank in the wet sand

• Most soldiers tried to get back to their ships but were open targets for the German gunners

German Barbed wire lined the beaches

Lessons

• Of the 5000 CND troops, approx. 900 were killed and another 2000 were taken prisoner

• The disaster at Dieppe raised many questions about the Allies ability to effectively plan and launch an invasion

• Even today, people still wonder why the raid on Dieppe was allowed to be such a disaster

• The Allies did learn from their mistakes and these lessons were invaluable for the planning of the D-Day offensive

The Battle of Hong Kong

December 1941

Background• The political situation

grew more strained between Japan and the United States.

• Hong Kong was a British colony and had to be protected.

The Battle• Canadian soldiers went to help defend Hong Kong on Nov 16, 1941, just in time for the outbreak of war in the Pacific.

• They joined troops from Britain, India, Singapore and Hong Kong. It was now truly a global war.

• On December 8, Japan attacked Hong Kong from the air and sea. They were experienced and had many resources.

• The Canadians were relatively inexperienced, exhausted from bombardment, and had no hope of supplies or reinforcement.

Canadian Surrender• They surrendered on

December 25th, 1941. Almost 300 Canadians had died in the fighting.

• After surrender the Canadians became prisoners of war (POWs) for more than three-and-a-half years.

Impact for Canada

• In the camps they were put to slave labour and experienced poor conditions. More than 260 Canadian POWs died.

• Of the almost 2,000 Canadians who went to Hong Kong in 1941, more than 550 would never see Canada again.

I Am Remembered…

Acts of Sacrifice

• Read the account of John Osborn as a class• Get a highlighter or pencil crayon• Re-read the story and highlight/circle all the

events or actions that made John a hero or was an act of sacrifice