19th August 1942 – the Combined Operations raid (see the Missing Winter) on Dieppe in northern France, which ended in disaster. This joint British and Canadian commando raid (originally code-named ‘Rutter’, but now known as ‘Jubilee’), , was intended to practice techniques for an eventual invasion of Northern Europe by the Allies. The coast was heavily defended by German guns and the invasion force lost the element of surprise by encountering an escorted German convoy in the Channel. After less than 6 hours the forces landed on the beaches around Dieppe were forced to withdraw. Of the 5,000 Canadians, 1,000 British, 50 American Rangers and 50 Free French taking part in ‘Operation Jubilee’ more than 1,380 were killed, 1,600 wounded and 2,340 captured. The RAF had given support but lost 107 planes to the German’s 48. One Royal Naval destroyer and 33 landing craft were sunk.
Dieppe convinced the Allied commanders that a successful cross-Channel invasion would need a massive force, which could not be assembled before 1944. The decision not to use airborne troops had also contributed to the raid’s failure. (From Combined Operations WW2 website, WW2-net Timelines and ‘Phantom at War – the British Army’s Secret Intelligence & Communication Regiment of WW2’ by Andy & Sue Parlour, Cerberus 2003.)
21st August 1942 – Franklin D. Roosevelt, President of the USA says that the perpetrators of barbarism in occupied countries ‘that the time will come when they shall have to stand in courts of law in the very countries which they are now oppressing and answer for their acts.' (From WW2-net Timelines.)
German troops scale Mount Elbrus, the highest mountain in the Caucasus, and plant the Reich's flag on the summit but the overstretched forces never reached the valuable Caucasian oilfields.
5731671 Tpr Williams R
Room 28
3rd Technical Training Group
Preston Barracks, Brighton, Sussex
Friday Eve.
Chotie Darling,
It’s pay-night, as you will see from above, but as it’s raining like hell I thought I’d stay in and write to my Chubby Lulubelle. Good boy, ain’t I? Sometimes I wonder …
Well, Precious – many thanks for your last letter and account of your adventures. I am enclosing the polyfotos in this – have had to break them up I’m afraid, as I haven’t yet procured a large enough envelope. I will give you the number I like best in PS., as I can’t make up my mind (?) which one I like the most, at the moment – they’re all so good.
Hope you manage to see Michelle Morgan, she’s really very good in French films – I can’t guarantee American or English directors. I’ve only seen her once – with Boyer, in French, with French direction of course and I was very struck then. I believe I told you I saw Vivianne Romance, (almost as good) last week.
Did you see the appalling list of French people who have been marked as definite traitors? The list includes Georges Carpentier (France’s greatest boxer), Maurice Chevalier, Sacha Guitry (her greatest playwright), Corinne Luchaire (of “Prison without Bars” fame), Jean Borotra (the tennis star) and last but not least, Danielle Darrieux who needs no introduction. Horrible isn’t it?
Sorry you had a row with Horlock – but then you must remember that there are people without souls – who appreciate nothing, and the road of a martyr is by necessity an exacting one. Persevere Darling …
However, I was glad to hear of your “Braemar”** show. Looking forward to
seeing it soon. I’ve been around quite a bit since last writing – making the most of it while it lasts.
Have seen a couple of old flicks – “Suspicion” Cary Grant and Fontaine, and “Here comes Mr Jordan” – Montgomery and Claude Rains. Not too
bad. Also saw a play “Bedtime Story” with Mary Maguire – quite good.
Had a letter from home – Mother says the Odeon at Bognor had a bomb, plumb centre – killed a dozen or so. Luckily she did the shopping in the morning and the bomb was about 3 in the afternoon. She’s been asked up to Herne Bay for a wedding – Rita’s (family friend) but sees no chance of going.
Have you heard of Eric since your last letter? Maybe he’s moved – but then
I suppose he’d have phoned or something. I really will write him some day, but I’m thinking of his heart when he gets the letter.
What did you think of the last raid***? I saw most of the action in the Channel and was also machine-gunned in the streets – though still alive and kicking.
Have you thought of a name for my new pipe yet? He’s getting nicely burnt in, and has acquired a more mature appearance.
I bought a copy of Darwin’s ‘The Descent of Man’ and have been up to my neck in it for some days. I always do crosswords in the bus, on my way to “work”. Quite suburban in fact – though I miss the Homburg and umbrella …
Well, Darling, I must close here as its getting too dark to write,
All my love, you Precious thing,
your adoring Dicker
PS. NUMERUS XXIV
that’s look you (No 24)
* Georges Carpentier - French boxer who was world light-heavyweight champion and a European champion at four weight classes.
Maurice Chevalier - French musical-comedy star
Corinne Luchaire – French film actress and daughter of Jean Luchaire a journalist and politician who supported the Vichy Regime.
Jean Borotra – French champion tennis player in the 20s and 30s.
Danielle Darrieux - French actress and singer, one of France's great movie stars.
** Braemar – a village in Aberdeenshire?
***possibly a reference to action following the Dieppe Raid, which had set sail from ports between Southampton and Newhaven (near Brighton)?
© Chotie Darling
22nd August 1942 – Brazil declares war on Germany and Italy.
23rd August 1942 – the Battle of Stalingrad (now Volgograd) begins in Russia. One of the bloodiest battles in the history of warfare it continued until 2nd February 1943, claiming nearly 2 million casualties and ending in defeat for the Axis Army. On 25th August a state of siege was declared in the heavily bombed city. (From WW2-net Timelines and ‘The Second World War’ by Antony Beevor, published by Weidenfield and Nicolson 2012.)
25th August 1942 – beginning of the Battle of Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea. This Japanese attack was defeated by largely Australian forces by 7th September 1942 – the Allies first decisive victory over the Japanese. (From WW2-net Timelines.)
28th August 1942 – a massive RAF raid on Nuremberg kills 4,000 civilains. Unlike the Americans the RAF flew at night and Air Chief Marshall 'Bomber Harris' defined their success by the number of urban acres reduced to rubble. (From WW2-net Timelines and ‘The Second World War’ by Antony Beevor, published by Weidenfield and Nicolson 2012.)
28th August and 9th September – the Japanese fire bomb the Oregon forests, USA. (From WW2-net Timelines.)
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