D-DAY LEARNING OBJECTIVES By the end of this period, students will be able to: Correctly identify...

D-DAY

LEARNING OBJECTIVES By the end of this period, students will be

able to: Correctly identify the 5 beaches

involved in D-Day Recall at least 2 reasons why the allies

choose to invade during a full moon. Recite at least 3 details from his/her

assigned beach

INSTEAD OF A FULL ATTACK ON JAPAN, THE U.S. DECIDED TO CONCENTRATE ON GERMANY FIRST…

WHY?

In January 1942, Two countries decided to help defeat the Axis Powers…

Sept. 1940

Italian forces attacked the country of Egypt…Why?

ROMMEL VS. EISENHOWER

Erwin Rommel: General Nickname was

“The Desert Fox” In charge of

Germany’s Afrika Korps

Dwight Eisenhower: U.S. General Master of

organization and planning.

Able to defeat Rommel to control the Suez Canal

D-DAY MAP

D-DAY INVASION: JUNE 6TH, 1944

• D-Day and the invasion points were guarded secrets.

• The purpose was to get troops on the ground in an attempt to liberate France.

• After Allied troops gained a foothold in Normandy, they were able to destroy much of the German occupation forces, liberate France and continue to march across Europe and ultimately destroy Germany.

• D-Day inspired many French citizens to rise up against the Germans.

D-DAY STATISTICS

D-day is known as the largest naval invasion ever. It included 7,000 vessels and

156,000 men.

A full moon was needed for success: Why (2 reasons) If the allies did not invade on

June 6th they would have had to wait an entire month to invade again.

The invasion would include 5 divisions (beaches).

A FULL MOON WAS NEEDED…WHY?

1. To allow the Allied pilots to see their drop off targets better

2. A high tide was needed to allow ships to come closer to the shore (protection of soldiers)

Sword Beach(British)

29,000 men landed

630 casualties

Juno Beach(Canadian)

21,000 men landed

1,200 casualties

GOLD BEACH

(British)

25,000 men landed

400 casualties

UTAH BEACH

(United States)

20,000 men landed

300 casualties

Omaha Beach(United States)

34,000 men landed

2,400 casualties

*Omaha Beach was the largest invasion and had the most casualties*

NORMANDY LANDING: THE D-DAY BEACHES