​​The Royal Air Force (RAF) would deploy numbers of aircraft that had not been seen since the Battle of Britain. The objectives of the RAF were to support with a pre bombardment in bombing German defences and laying smoke screens. Second to support with the withdrawal in maximum strength.  

​In total for operation 74 Squadrons would be used, equal to over 1,000 aircraft. It was anticipated that these numbers would far exceed the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) stationed in the area. It was estimated that they could deploy 250 fighters and 220 bombers only. 

​The aircraft, mainly RAF, consisted of Spitfires, Hurricanes and Bristol Blenheim’s. American Mustang aircraft would be used by No. 400 & 414 Squadrons of the Royal Canadian Air Force. No.340 (Free French) Squadron would also take an active role. 

​By the end of the 19 August, the day had been a costly air battle for the RAF. In total 106 aircraft had been lost. 91 aircraft had been shot down with the loss of 47 pilots and crew killed and 17 captured, now prisoners of war. The Canadians had lost 14 aircraft and 9 pilots. 

​During the air battle there were numerous reports of friendly fire where the air force engaged ground forces or were fired upon from the ground. During the assault by the Commandos at the Hess Gun Battery, the Commandos and US Rangers were nearly killed by Spitfires that strafed the battery with gun fire. Out at sea, one naval man using an anti-aircraft gun shot down a Spitfire because it was operating below the height, they had been briefed they would be at, he mistook it for a German aircraft. Further account point to the fact that British naval crews fired at US P-51 Mustang aircraft, this was due to lack of aircraft recognition. They believed that the silhouette of a Mustang was very similar to German aircraft profiles so fired at it. 

​One American airman, Pilot Officer James La Rue Taylor, was part of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserves. He was serving in No.121 Eagle Squadron. He was killed in action when his Spitfire crashed into another Spitfire in mid-air. He is buried at Etaples Military Cemetery. 

​Five French men serving in the Air Force were also killed in action on 19 August. They are commemorated on a memorial at Dieppe airfield to the south of the town.