Apart from the main attacks on the Dieppe beaches with were a disaster, the landings by the No. 3 and No. 4 British Commandos landings on the wings were more successful.

The well-equipped British Commandos were successful at certain points along the coast at Berneval and Varengeville. To the east of Dieppe No. 3 Commando had landed at the opening of the valley near Berneval, presumably in the strength of 250 men, with orders to take and to destroy the battery in position there. They had succeeded in scaling the sides of the cliffs with the help of ladders, ropes and other gear.

Similarly, No. 4 Commando consisting of about 300 men had a task of putting battery 813 out of action and then to re-embark. Protected by smoke, this Commando landed on the coast on both sides of Varengeville, whilst another Group attempted to land opposite the Quiberville blockhouse where a platoon of the 3rd Company of the 571st Infantry Regiment was stationed. The attempt was frustrated by the concentrated fire of the Company. On the other hand some Commandos were able to get ashore at various points in the area around Varengeville, where small wooded cliffs run down to the sea and where it was possible to clamber up.

This force then attacked the battery from two sides with hand grenades, machine guns, revolvers and mortars, while air bombardment neutralized the defense of the battery with continuous diving raids. Tracer bullets ignited the cartridges which which were stored in the battery. The battery defended itself bravely right up to the end as is proved by the 28 dead and 29 wounded, including the Commanding Officer who directed the fire and did his best to hold out. When at last the battery passed into British hands practically all the guns had been rendered unserviceable by the ignition of the ammunition.

It was probably 0800 hours when the British Commandos re-embarked, taking with them 4 prisoners, and there were many dead and wounded of their own.

 Back to Dieppe to Berlin Home