History DVD: Striking Back
The bloody failure of the raid at Dieppe makes it clear that a seaborne Allied invasion of France will need very careful preparation -- and time. This leaves only one way for the Allies to strike back at Nazi Germany -- from the air.
As Seen On History Television
Historian, Norm Christie, examines the old battlefields, visiting the cemeteries and memorials that hold the secrets to the legacy and sacrifices of the Canadians in the Dieppe Raid and Bomber Command. (Not covered in For King & Country).
In this Episode Norm examines the methods that the Allies could strike at Hitler’s Fortress Europe. The only hits that could be made was by amphibious raids (of which Dieppe was the biggest) and in the air, by heavy bombers. The first part of the episode covers the Dieppe Raid, the raid that taught the Allies that courage could only go so far, and that thorough planning and preparation, with reasonable objectives was the sole route to success. Part 2 covers Bomber Command, in particularly the attack on Nuremberg in 1944. Veteran Jim Moffat recounts the life of the Bomber crews and that terrible night over occupied Europe, when Jim’s plane went down. Moffatt was the only survivor.
Dieppe, France
5:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. (retreat)
5,000 Canadians
1,000 British
50 United States Army Rangers