This Day in History: 0000-08-19

19 Aug – The leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Sergius, issued a Declaration proclaiming the absolute loyalty of the Church to the Soviet State and the government’s interests. This was in response to Communist persecution of believers (1927).
19 Aug – Over 6,000 British, Canadian and Polish commandos landed on beaches near Dieppe, France, hoping to secure a port and destroy German coastal defenses. Instead 3000 were killed or captured, nearly 100 aircraft were lost and the Royal Navy lost 33 landing craft and one destroyer against the 1500 men of the 302nd German static division and supporting Luftwaffe forces (1942).