DIRECTIONS
1.Read “Overview.” Underline what you believe to be the most
important statements of fact and circle what you believe are
statements of opinion. Highlight any unfamiliar words.
2.Read Document A (Transcript of General Dwight D. Eisenhower's
Order of the Day). Underline what you believe to be the most
important statements of fact and circle what you believe are
statements of opinion. This primary source can help you understand
how the Normandy invasion was viewed by the Allied leadership at
the time, as well as how they wanted their troops to understand the
mission.
3.Review the map (Document B) of the France showing how troops
dispersed.
4.Review the YouTube video attached in the website (right under
this tab). If you are unable to access, the address is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6wG58VMFaA
4.Complete worksheet. Answer all questions in complete
sentences.
5.Record key details in a venn diagram. You will compare and
contrast the Overview and Eisenhower’s Order of the Day speech.
Please write “Overview” on the outer portion of the circle on the
left and “Eisenhower’s Order of the Day” on the outer portion of
the circle on the right.
FOR FULL CREDIT, THIS ASSIGNMENT IS DUE SUNDAY, MARCH 22,
2020.
Two ways to turn in this assignment:
· Electronically at: [email protected]
· Deliver to the front desk at Nova Academy
OVERVIEW
D-Day: The Invasion of Normandy. During World War II
(1939-1945), the Battle of Normandy, which lasted from June 1944 to
August 1944, resulted in the Allied liberation of Western Europe
from Nazi Germany’s control. Codenamed Operation Overlord, the
battle began on June 6, 1944, also known as D-Day, when some
156,000 American, British and Canadian forces landed on five
beaches along a 50-mile stretch of the heavily fortified coast of
France’s Normandy region. The invasion was one of the largest
amphibious military assaults in history and required extensive
planning. The Normandy landings have been called the beginning of
the end of war in Europe.
In January 1944, General Dwight Eisenhower was appointed supreme
commander of Operation Overlord. In the months and weeks before
D-Day, the Allies carried out a massive deception operation
intended to make the Germans think the main invasion target was
Pas-de-Calais (the narrowest point between Britain and France)
rather than Normandy. In addition, they led the Germans to believe
that Norway and other locations were also potential invasion
targets. Many tactics were used to carry out the deception,
including fake equipment and a phantom army commanded by George
Patton.
Eisenhower selected June 5, 1944, as the date for the invasion;
however, bad weather on the days leading up to the operation caused
it to be delayed for 24 hours. Eisenhower then gave the go-ahead
telling the troops: “You are about to embark upon the Great
Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes
of the world are upon you.”
More than 5,000 ships and landing craft carrying troops and
supplies crossed the English across Channel to France, while more
than 11,000 aircraft were mobilized to provide air cover and
support for the invasion. By June 6, thousands of paratroopers and
glider troops were already on the ground behind enemy lines,
securing bridges and exit roads. The British and Canadians overcame
light opposition to capture beaches codenamed Gold, Juno and Sword,
as did the Americans at Utah Beach. U.S. forces faced heavy
resistance at Omaha Beach, where there were over 2,000 American
casualties. However, by day’s end, approximately 156,000 Allied
troops had successfully stormed Normandy’s beaches. According to
some estimates, more than 4,000 Allied troops lost their lives;
thousands more wounded or missing.
It is believed that the Germans suffered from confusion in the
ranks and the absence of Commander Rommel, who was away on leave.
At first, Hitler, believing the invasion was designed to distract
the Germans and refused to release divisions to join the
counterattack.
By the end of June, the Allies landed approximately 850,000 men
and 150,000 vehicles in Normandy, and were poised to continue their
march across France. By the end of August 1944, the Allies
liberated Paris and the Germans had been removed from northwestern
France, effectively concluding the Battle of Normandy. The Allied
forces then prepared to enter Germany, where they would meet up
with Soviet troops moving in from the east.
The Normandy invasion began to turn the tide against the
Nazis.
DOCUMENT ATranscript of General Dwight D. Eisenhower's Order of
the Day (1944)
SUPREME HEADQUARTERSALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCE
Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary
Force!
You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we
have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you.
The hope and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with
you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other
Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war
machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples
of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.
Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is will trained,
well equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely.
But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi
triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the
Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. Our air
offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their
capacity to wage war on the ground. Our Home Fronts have given us
an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and
placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The
tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to
Victory!
I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and
skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!
Good luck! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon
this great and noble undertaking.
DOCUMENT B
The successful D-Day invasion was only the beginning of the
Allies' mission to regain control of northwestern Europe. This map
shows the next steps they took after landing on shore.
Name: _______________________________________Period _______
Directions: Answer all questions in complete, thoughtful 2+
sentences.
OVERVIEW
1.What is one statement of fact you underlined? Why do you think
that is important?
2.Name one statement of opinion you circled. Why do you think
that statement is important?
3.According to the Overview, what were the toughest challenges
the Allies faced in preparing for and executing the invasion of
Normandy?
4.According to the Overview, why was the Normandy invasion such
a significant milestone in the war in Europe?
EISENHOWER’S ORDER OF THE DAY
1.What is one statement of fact you underlined? Why do you think
this is important?
2.Name one statement of opinion you circled. Why do you think
that statement is important?
3.What is the purpose of Eisenhower’s message?
4.What would you change in this message to the troops?
VENN DIAGRAM
1.Describe two key differences between the kinds of information
in the Overview and the kinds of information in Eisenhower’s Order
of the Day.
