D-Day: The Total Story — June 6, 1944. The day the military might of the Allies combined for the most extensive aerial and sea borne assault ever planned. The D-Day invasion at the beaches of Normandy, France changed the di... more »rection of World War II, and the history of the twentieth century. Planned for over two years by the Allied Forces, the D-Day Invasion was an intricate coordination of the world's greatest military forces, and an exercise in cooperation that marked the turning point of war, and the world's history. D-Day: The Total Story would be useful for classes on American History, World History, Military History and Cultural History. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.
D Minus 1 D Minus 1
D Minus 1 D Minus 1 explores the tense hours leading up to the monumental attack. The elaborate plans, the calculated risks and the sheer daring of the invasion are explored. The troops were heavily trained and armed with latest weaponry, but the fate of the war hung on one key strategy: surprise.
Vocabulary
? ambitious
? amphibious
? blaspheme
? blitzkrieg
? bogus
? commandeer
? compassion
? compensate
? convoy
? entrails
? fictitious
? hospitable
? improvise
? incinerate
? litany
? logistics
? obsolete
? pneumonic
? sabotage
? theoretical
Discussion Questions
1. The D-Day Invasion at Normandy was unique in the fact that it was a collaborative effort of some of the world's leading nations. How did the D-day Invasion foreshadow the globalization of world politics and policy?
2. The causalities of the invasion were numerous. Most men that died on the beaches of Normandy were young men; many not even out of their teens. How do soldiers deal with the deaths of their fellow soldiers and buddies during combat?
3. How the D-Day invasion get its name?
4. Dwight David Eisenhower, affectionately known as "Ike," was the Supreme Allied Commander of the invasion. Why was Eisenhower a good choice for this mission?
5. What are the logistical and emotional difficulties of bringing together soldiers from different nations?
6. Some British soldiers resented the American soldiers stationed in London prior to the invasion. Why were there some tensions between the soldiers?
7. How was the weaponry of World War II different from that of World War I? How did this change the methods of warfare?
8. How did the Allied Forces trick Germany into diverting its troops?
Extended Activities
1. On a map of Europe, trace the routes of the D-Day Invasion. 2. Imagine that you are a soldier stationed in London waiting for the D-Day Invasion. Write a letter home that explains your feelings, fears and emotions about the upcoming invasion.
H-Hour
H-Hour explores the earliest moments of the invasion when human error and poor weather seemed to conspire to doom the mission to failure. The fate of the war now hung on the cunning, courage and determination of each individual Allied soldier, sailor and airman. The superb training of the troops, combined with initiative of their officers, enabled the invasion to move forward despite the adverse conditions.
Vocabulary
? casualties
? concentric
? conspicuous
? decimate
? detriment
? deviation
? dispersion
? elaborate
? impregnable
? incendiary
? painstaking
? vignette
Discussion Questions
1. The D-Day Invasion relied on the secrecy of the mission. How did the Allied Forces use the element of surprise in their attack on the German fortresses at Normandy?
2. The Allied soldiers faced hardships and difficulties when they landed on the beaches and began their invasion inland. What were some of these difficulties faced by the soldiers? How did the soldiers overcome these obstacles?
3. The German Army and the Allied Forces trained their officers differently. How was the training for these officers different? How did this difference affect the outcome of the invasion and ultimately, the war?
4. It is only natural to be afraid when you are faced with the possibility of death. How did the soldiers deal with their fear? How were they able to overcome it and continue their mission?
5. In any circumstance, especially war, fate or luck plays a role in the outcome. How did fate help the Allied Forces?
6. The Allied Airborne Troops miscalculated their landings and the troops were widely dispersed. How did this error turn out to be positive for the Allied Forces? How did this error contribute to the success of the invasion?
7. How did German resistance at the different beaches make the D-Day experience different for the soldiers at the various beaches?
Extended Activities
1. Imagine that you are an Allied soldier at the D-Day invasion. Create a journal or diary that tells of your feelings and experiences.
2. Imagine that you are a journalist assigned to cover the D-Day Invasion. Write a column for your newspaper or magazine that gives a first-hand account of the invasion.
Breakout D-Day
Breakout explores the full fury of the monumental attack. Hitler reinforced his defenses with the strength of his Panzer division. What remained was an all-out attack. With their backs to the sea, the Allied Forces broke away from the beaches and forged inland to Paris and to ultimate victory.
Vocabulary
? attrition
? decimated
? impenetrable
? improvisation
? intelligence
? methodical
? moral
? obliterated
? pre-fabricated
? reconnaissance
? stalemate
? validate
Discussion Questions
1. The Allied Forces faced tremendous resistance from the German Army. Why did the German Army put up so much resistance in light of the overwhelming numerical superiority of the Allied Forces?
2. How does an army utilize the terrain of its position for defense?
3. Tanks played an important role in the Battle of Normandy. What were the differences between the German Panzer tanks and the American Sherman tanks?
4. The Allied Forces conducted extensive aerial bombings of the French town of Caen. Although this attack aided the Allied ground troops, the attack was controversial because of the amount of civilian causalities. Were the Allied Forces justified in their aerial attack?
5. Many soldiers were killed during the Battle of Normandy by "friendly fire." What does the term "friendly fire" mean? Why is it so dangerous?
6. Why was the Breakout a bittersweet event for the Americans?
7. Graphic pictures can help convey the horrors of war. But soldiers interviewed for this documentary speak about the even more impressive smells of war. Discuss how the odors of war attest to the horrors of war, and how the sense of smell can trigger memories.
8. Wally Pare, RAF 6th Airborne, summed up the war experience as "the most personal impersonal experience." Discuss what Pare means by this statement.
Extended Activities
1. Imagine that you are a German soldier captured during the Battle of Normandy. Create a diary or journal that tells of your experience.
2. On a map of France, trace the route of the Breakout to the liberation of Paris.« less
James W. (Dude) from PIGEON FORGE, TN 
