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 direction 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.

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.

• 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.

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