Was the Dieppe raid a success or failure?

Answer 1

Definitely a failure.

But only a failure if you define things based on that day alone.

I take the wider view, that without the "lessons learned " on that day in August 1942, the D-Day landings in 1944 would have been a failure ,too.

In point form........By landing in full daylight, with out a massive sea power barrage, and without sufficient air power, the raid was doomed, BUT, by looking at better ways to do it, the future chances were enhanced greatly.

The need to replace or greatly improve radios was shown. The swimming tanks were unable to get off the beach, which promted the development of "The Funnies" that could go over walls and ditches, or even lay their own bridges.

Co-ordination of fire power, from both the sea and the air, to concentrate on points of resistance, and dedicated "on call' aircraft to attack reinfocements coming up to the beaches.

Improved demolition charges and equipment to cut wire obstacles, along with specialised vehicles to take out concrete bunkers and gun pits.

All of the above came out of "lessons learned" after Dieppe.

And finally, remember this fact..............Dieppe was NEVER intended to be an invasion of Europe, it was a ONE DAY RAID. To keep the Germans focused on the western wall, and keep many German Army Divisons tied up defending it, instead of in the east, fighting the Red Army.