Operation RutterOperation Rutter  Incredible pressure from Russian forces to alleviate Eastern forces.  Desire to get a foothold on the European continent.  Test the ability of Allied forces to capture a beachfront.  Test the capabilities of amphibious vehicles and weapons.  Test enemy beach defenses.

The PlanThe Plan  Hit and run attack – destroy German positions and installations and then retreat before high-tide arrived.  Two-stage attack – First, groups will flank the beach by surprise and destroy artillery positions on the beach. Second, the main beachhead will be attacked and German defenses destroyed. Four main beaches were to be attacked – blue, green, red and white.  No air bombardment was issued to maintain element of surprise and because Air Force was engaged in action over Germany  6000 infantrymen (almost exclusively Canadian) with limited support from Royal Navy and Royal Air Force

What Went Wrong?What Went Wrong?  Poor intelligence of beach and German defenses  Element of surprise? British double-agents, premature smoke screens and unexpected German Convoy.  Royal air force failure to lead Luftwaffe into open air battle.  Tanks were unable to overcome the beaches and the tank obstacles placed by German forces.

Results  Of the 5000 Canadian men deployed, over 3500 were killed, wounded or captured. A casualty rate of 68%.  Normandy was 10%  Vimy was 16%  106 Allied aircraft were lost, including 70 spitfires and 20 Hurricane bombers.

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned  Importance of preliminary air support  Element of surprise  Importance of comprehensive reconnaissance and intelligence gathering  Dangers of a frontal attack on a raised or fortified port or town  Importance of increased communication between forces

Letters from DieppeLetters from Dieppe  Groups of 3 or 4  Read your letter and pull out 5 interesting points  Present your points to the class

Thoughts..?  Things weren’t working the way they were supposed to  Timing was off  Strategic errors  Canadian bravery  Bridge destroyed  Improper organization  Canadians in the RAF  German’s were waiting  Canadians were pinned down  Taken to camp run by Hitler youth  Not enough boats for retreat  Germans had guns ranged perfectly