Re-examining the first landing attempt in Normandy, with previously
unpublished photographs
Originally conceived in April 1942 as Operation Rutter, the Allies
planned to conduct a major raid on a German-held port on the French channel
coast. They planned to hold it for the duration of at least two tides, so as to
effect the greatest amount of destruction of enemy facilities and defences
before withdrawing. However, the first landing attempt in Normandy ended as a
disastrous blood-letting failure. Almost 4,000 Canadian and British troops were
killed, wounded or taken prisoner on 19 August, 1942; the Canadians lost two
thirds of their force altogether during the virtual slaughter of the first
assault, as infantry and assault engineers were cut down by German forces on the
beaches, who were alert, prepared, ready and waiting.
Here the authors re-examine this operation with 80 unpublished German
photographs taken after the attack, providing an important addition to the
documentation of the Allied landing.
Bucourt and Jeanne provide comparative photographs in addition to
images of the equipment used during the operation.
French Language. Available late 2012.
