Book: One Day in August by David O'Keefe.

The Untold Story Behind Canada's Tragedy At Dieppe

Very factual book, with many new facts to ponder.

Introduction:

There are many books about the Dieppe raid that review - often in great detail - the actions of various regiments and Commando units that were involved on August 19, 1942, on the beaches in front of the French town or at locations to the west and east. There is no one that can read any of those books without forming questions about why it was such a tragedy? Could it not have been planned better? Could not the numbers of those killed or taken prisoner have been reduced?

Some are satisfied with the answer that more lives were saved during future invasions because of those that sacrificed their own on that one day. Some are not.

My father was one who thought the raid was a complete waste of Canadian blood. And for him, for those who hold the same opinion, for those who have questions about the purpose of the raid, I highly recommend this book (or, in my father's case, wish he was still alive to read it).

David O'Keefe has dug into new information and documents that are available in this modern generation. He reveals the contents of the page, for example, that lead him on a very lengthy pursuit , to see if in fact the raid had a very high and significant purpose. I believe he makes his case.

Below are excerpts from the fly leaf and a few very important pages:

Those who have heard about the German Enigma machine and its uncanny, sophisticated ability to create messages (e.g., from commanders on land to U-Boats in the Atlantic) that were very difficult for Allied 'listeners' to decipher, and the work done by the Allies to decode those messages (e.g., at Bletchley Park, UK), will know of the importance of the "Ultra Secret" story.

Private Ron Beal, once he learned of O'Keefe's research and findings, felt relieved... he knew his mates had not died in vain.

 The inner harbour at Dieppe. We learn about significant targets

the Dieppe planners had in mind.

 The German interrogator would understand the answer... if told

The Signals Intelligence organization wanted to read German message traffic. How could they accomplish that?

 O'Keefe uncovers deep meaning to documents that he was able to find

 4. "at Dieppe" objectives were not reached. However, the next operation met

with some success, i.e., during Operation Torch, invasion of N. Africa. 

The importance of the work done at Bletchley Park cannot be understated:

I am now on the lookout for The Girl from Station X

 New technology was created to read German "four-rotor (wheel)" technology

An iconic photo taken after the Dieppe raid is now better understood:

At 0347 on August 19, 1942, a small part of the Dieppe armada came in contact with a small but significant German convoy in the English Channel. A fire-fight was the result and "the crucial element of surprise" was lost.

More information about the contact, the fire-fight and its ultimate result is presented in David O'Keefe's book.

Recently, I as well touched on the incident in a presentation about Joe McKenna, one of the Canadian sailors (and a member of Combined Operations) who was killed during the approach to the beach on that fateful day. Link - Dieppe: In Memory of Joseph McKenna, RCNVR. Parts 1-3

Again, I highly recommend this book and encourage you to ask a book store near you to order a copy, or - if you are like me - root around your local 'used book store' (e.g., Attic Books in London, Ontario). You might get lucky!!

For more books re Dieppe Raid, please link to Book: The Dieppe Raid by R. Neillands

Unattributed Photos GH