Not Good for Infantry or us

The pile of people that died on a beach like Dieppe alone shows you that it killed a thousand men that day alone. And when you get to Dieppe, it’s a flat area in front of town, full of rocks. And you go in there with a tank, well you don’t get very good traction. It'll throw tracks off your vehicle. And so, it wasn’t a good place to land, that’s what I’m trying to say. It was not good for infantry or us. You see, when you’re in the infantry you’re coming in on a flat deck like that and the Germans are up high, Well, what hope does an infantry guy have to live – not hardly any. And that’s why so many died, you know.

With little hope of survival, Mr. Edwards shares his view on why so many soldiers died on the beach in Dieppe.

Stanley Edwards

Mr. Stanley Edwards was born February 17, 1923 in Big Valley, Alberta. He enlisted in the army on February 19, 1941 as part of the Calgary Tanks holding rank of trooper. He first received training on the Churchill tanks at Stettler, Alberta and for another year trained in Camp Borden, Ontario before travelling overseas to Scotland. In the summer of 1942, the crew went to England to undergo advanced training. Mr. Stanley fought in the Dieppe Raid as a member of the tank crew. He was soon captured and taken prisoner where he would remain until 1945, shortly after the war ended. Returning home to Canada, Mr. Edwards began working at the Calgary Brewery, married Anncherri and raised four children with his wife. In retirement, Mr. Edwards volunteered within his community and to this day is a member of the local legion. Now residing in Calgary, Alberta with his two daughters, Mr. Edwards is honoured in having an opportunity to travel back to France for the 75th Anniversary of the Dieppe Raid. This being his first time back since wartime, Mr. Edwards looks forward to seeing the terrain where he fought and visiting the gravesite of his brother who never returned home and pay tribute to those who served alongside him during this battle.