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Alternate History Challenge - Jubilee Success
Topic Started: Dec 15 2010, 07:54 AM (406 Views)
Simon Darkshade
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Quite simple enough:

Have the Dieppe Raid of 1942, or Operation Jubilee, turn out to be a tactical and strategic Allied success.

Ideas:

- Fulfill the requirement for 300 medium and heavy bomber sorties
- Keep the original airborne element, in addition to the commando flanking operations and the Canadian brigade assaults
- Provide gunfire support by a battleship and/or 2-4 cruisers, plus further destroyers

Operational Objectives:

1.) Destroy enemy defences in Dieppe
2.) Destroy enemy airfield facilities at St. Aubin (1.5 miles outside)
3.) Destroy radar, power, dock rail and fuel facilities in Dieppe
4.) Remove and take back to Britain 40 invasion barges kept in harbour since 1940
5.) Remove documents from German divisional HQ at Arques-La-Bataille
6.) Capture prisoners and examples of enemy weapons


Yes, 1, 2 and 3 can be done by having the main force of Bomber Command visit, but not the others.
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Matthew
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I have a book on it a while ago that I read about, though it was before I knew much what to pay attention to.

It might be a help finding a way to get the Churchill's off the beaches more regularly, iirc they got bogged down on the shingle which did not help.
Perhaps a few extra commando assaults to help loosen up the main beaches?

The planned fire support is of major importance, though coordination would not likely be as fine tuned as later in the war. Nevertheless, battleships and cruisers would outdue the historical destroyers easily.
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Simon Darkshade
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Yes, I think that adding commando assaults on the flanks in addition to paratroopers taking out the batteries would divide the focus and reaction of the German garrison.

Some of the destroyers were so heavily festooned with wiring (flagship comms role) that they could not fire their guns. 8 destroyers in total, all armed with 4". Not really enough.

Tank movement would assist the operation.

Having a major raid the night before would lose strategic and even a bit of tactical surprise, unless it was hidden in a focus on coastal ports in the lead up. That would detract from Bomber Command's major mission, though.

Dieppe was an example of what not to do, and often gets assigned extra significance due to a reading of this.
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Matthew
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If I recall correctly, one of the historical commando raids did very well and the second one would have had not most of their force been sunk on the way. Finding a way to get them ashore - in addition to unleashing more commandos in general - would no doubt have a helpful effect.

Might the bomber raid be coordinated with the original commando assault in the wee hours of the morning? In a sense it would be an adaption of the walking barrage, namely, getting the assault going before the bombers are even done their mission which would add to the general sense of confusion.
There was a number of earlier commando raids all along the coast, as I am sure you know about, so if the only early reports consist of commandos on the flank this may cause the Germans to come to the conclusion that is all this is, again, and perhaps disperse some of their troops from the main beaches.

I am just throwing this out there, but if it was thought helpful, one might throw a few companies of marines behind the commandos, later on, to help draw off the central forces and help the commandos hold on for a bit.

Edit: Ah yes, the report of the one commando raid.

http://www.lonesentry.com/articles/ttt/commando-raid-varengeville-dieppe.html
Edited by Matthew, Dec 15 2010, 04:01 PM.
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Simon Darkshade
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By 1942, the Royal Marines had been converted to the Royal Marine Commando role, with the earlier Royal Marine Division being broken up. Elements of a Royal Marine Commando took part, but didn't land IIRC.

Difficult to coordinate bomber raids at this time, particularly at night. Best that can be asked for is a general plastering of the town and target area by heavies, and then some mediums go in right before the assault.

Even one light cruiser would be equivalent to a regiment of medium artillery (and faster firing to boot). That, and the destroyers, is where the easiest version of a walking barrage can be created. Battlewagons and heavy cruisers add even more, at longer ranges and with better penetration against hardened targets.
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Matthew
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I meant timewise opposed to having the strats operating on a tactical level, ie, have them buzzing Dieppe just as the commandos are landing on the flanks.
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Simon Darkshade
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It is going to be difficult to get the clout to make Bomber Harris release heavies in the first place; getting them to operate in daylight or in a quasi tactical role is going to be out of the question.

The best to be wished for is a force hitting Dieppe during the night, and then the mediums hitting the beaches immediately prior to the Canadian infantry landing.
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