1942: Europe: AUGUST 19, 1942- Allied Commandoes raid DIEPPE on the French coast and write a brilliant chapter in military daring and courage. Most of the 7,000-man force is made up of Canadians who make a hit-and-run raid to prove to the Germans that their defenses along the coast are far from invulnerable. Valuable lessons were learned in the strike that was used 22 months later when D Day arrived.