SPECTACULAR OPERATION

Evening Star, Issue 24278, 20 August 1942, Page 5

SPECTACULAR OPERATION

TANKS EMPLOYED FOR FIRST TIME FRENCH SPECIAL TROOPS TAKE PART (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 11 a.m.) RUGBY, August 19. The utmost interest is evoked by the announcement that tanks were employed for the first time in a raid on the European coast. The capture of a battery and the destruction of a flak •battery and radio location station show that the much-advertised strengthening of the German defences in the west has been matched by increased Allied striking power. Apart from the immediate gains by the serious damage inflicted, it is considered invaluable experience in the employment of-' substantial forces 'and transport, including new tank landing craft and the use of heavy equipment in these operations. The forces taking part were “ combined ” in every sense, and the French special troops engaged are seen ns a token of the overwhelming legions of fret peoples assembling to assault the aggressors. The French people were warned by every possible means not to take part ■ so aa not to expose themselves to reprisals when the Germans returned after the Allied forces had retired. The Dieppe raid was apparently one of the most spectacular operations commandos have so far carried out. Large numbers of fighters and bombers, including American planes, were flown to France m a constant procession from dawn The Germans tried to intercept the . raiders, and many dogfights occurred. The swirling air battle extended in the early morning over the south coast of England. Renter’s military correspondent says: Thi« was no raid by 20 or 50 men. Our commandos could not have stayed ashore in daylight unless in considerable strength. Detaijs of the surface craft participating in the raid are so far scanty. The only description available at present is that a sizeable party. left a coast town last night in small .craft. The Berlin radio announced that the British in the early morning hours landed tanks and infantry on the French Channel coast. Artillery fire had already destroyed several British tanks. The British encountered successful resistance, and German counter-mea-sures are progressing according to plan. Berlin announced that the British attack on the Dieppe area was on a larger scale than previous landings, and exceeded the proportions of commando operations. The attack was launched on a broad front east and west of Dieppe against the town and harbour. Part of the landing force had already been wiped out ana several transport ships sunk. The counter-attack for the final mopping up of the landing force was going on.

IN HIGH SPIRITS SOME MEK BACK AT BASE (Rec. 11.20 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 19. A number of men who participated in the Dieppe attack returned to their base this afternoon. They were in high spirits. The German News Agency late in the afternoon claimed that not a single British, American, or Canadian soldier remained on the mainland. Over 1,000 prisoners were taken, and the enemy losses in men and material were considerable. Earlier Berlin claimed that several hundred British were killed. Berlin also stated that German naval units participated in the action, and that fbe ' ''led nneration was supported by rtrong air and naval forces. Daiijifi uie raid the French people were continuously informed of the latest news of the operations, and the broadcasts referred to the action as a series ot common'll attack** not associated with the British and Russian military decisions made in .iloscow. It was simply one in a series of fragmentary operations whose purpose was to test out the enemy’s defences or put out of action elements of the enemy’s defensive or offensive systems. By special arrangement, Reuter's Worm Service, in addition to other special source; of information, is used in the compilation of the overseas intelligence published in this issue, and all rights therein in Australia and Naw Zealand are reserved.