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Victory Was Never In Doubt In England
In the early months of the war, Colonel Merritt and his company - the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - were on an “Invasion Alert” in England. However, the people of England - including the Canadian Forces stationed there - were confident of an Allied victory.
The Empire - The Only Opposition To Hitler
Colonel Merritt gives significant credit to the efforts of the armed forces of the British Empire in the early years of the Second World War.
The Role of the South Saskatchewan Regiment in the Dieppe Raid
Colonel Merritt discusses the role that the South Saskatchewan Regiment was instructed to play in the raid on Dieppe in 1942.
Preparing on the Isle of Wight
The South Saskatchewan Regiment and other units involved in the Dieppe Landing spent several months on the Isle of Wight preparing for the attack.
Across the English Channel
Colonel Merritt speaks of the flotilla’s crossing of the English Channel to France and the unexpected encounter with German E Boats.
Crossing The River - Worthy of a Victoria Cross
In order to advance to their objective, it was necessary for Colonel Merritt to lead his men across a river bridge near their destination. However, the bridge was under fire from German forces who were dug in on the opposite river bank. Colonel Merritt would later receive the Victoria Cross from King George VI for his work here.
Wounded on Green Beach
Colonel Merritt was wounded as his troops were evacuating Green Beach. He recalls the activity.
Surrender to the Germans
Colonel Merritt makes the difficult decision to surrender to the German Army and be taken as prisoners of war.
On to the POW Camp in Germany
Following a time of hospitalization near Dieppe, his men, now Prisoners of War, were taken to Eichstatt in Germany to a POW camp. Colonel Merritt recalls that a short time later, Hitler issued an edict stating that all prisoners who took part in the Dieppe Raid were required to be handcuffed.
A Tunnel to Freedom
Colonel Merritt was a senior officer on the Escaping Committe at the prison camp. In time, the prisoners constructed a tunnel to freedom.
The Escape
Colonel Merritt remembers his escape from the POW camp through the underground tunnel. Sadly though, his freedom was short-lived.
Ears to the Outside World
Within the prison camp, it was possible - with some risk involved - to keep abreast of the war developments.
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