​​Operation Jubilee was undertaken predominantly by the Canadian 2nd Infantry Division. The objective was to hold the port of Dieppe, search for secret intelligence and technology (amongst other objectives), before withdrawing after around eight hours. The operation took place on 19 August 1942.

​The German defences around ‘Blue Beach’ consisted of barbed wire on the beach along the promenade wall, around 3m high, with stair wells leading up from the beach filled with barbed wire. Numerous defensive positions for rifle and machine guns were located on high ground overlooking the beach. Either side of the village the coastline rises with towering cliffs. There were numerous artillery batteries supported by mortar artillery in the area to fire if needed.

​During the build-up and intelligence gathering for Operation Jubilee, aerial reconnaissance of ‘Blue Beach’ failed to identify machine gun positions and a concrete position in the ‘white house’ grounds (house at the top of the cliffs on the western side of the village overlooking the beach).

​The Royal Regiment of Canada was tasked with securing ‘Blue Beach’. 556 men landed there and advanced towards their allocated objectives. They were due to land at sunrise, for the element of surprise and to prevent German forces observing approaching naval craft at sea. The plan was to then reinforce the Regiment with a small number of men from the Black Watch of Canada.

​The Royals landed 17 minutes late at 05:07 on 19 August 1942. The element of surprise had been lost following supporting Commandos that had been spotted and engaged at sea. As they approached the beach withering German fire came down onto the landing craft and attackers from all angles.

​The Canadian forces were immediately pinned down on the beach with nowhere to take cover from incoming fire. The only protection available was by the seawall, and they tried to cut the barbed wire in the stairwells that led up to the promenade. Men were being killed or wounded across the beach.

​The stairwell to the eastern end of the seawall (now blocked off) saw a small group of men breakthrough and start to climb the cliffs. The Canadian forces eventually tried to withdraw men off the beach, but this failed due to the resistance.

​By the end of the day 225 men had been killed on the beach, and 264 captured, many of which were wounded. Only 65 men returned to England.