Preparation - Task 1:
By 1943, the British and Americans had been preparing to invade Nazi-controlled Europe. Joseph Stalin, the leader of Russia, was already pushing Germany back following the failed Operation Barbarossa launched in 1941 by Hitler. The attack would take place in France and would be called Operation Overlord.
However, this wouldn't be easy. The Germans had created a line of defences called the ‘Atlantic Wall’ to stop any attacks from Britain. This included artillery gun, strong forts and machine gun emplacements.
The army used Spitfires with cameras attached to take pictures of the French coastline before the right spot was decided on. A fake attack was therefore planned for Calais but the main attack would happen in Normandy.
The men were given extensive training to prepare themselves. The attack would take place on the 6th June 1944.
The Attack - Task 2:
1) How had the Allies tried to hide the real location of their attack? They conducted a deception campaign (Operation Fortitude) making the Germans believe the invasion would occur at Pas-de-Calais, not Normandy.
2) What had been so difficult about the US attack on Omaha beach? It faced steep cliffs, heavy German fortifications, strong currents, and misdirected naval bombardment, leading to high casualties and initial confusion.
3) What were the British 'funnies'? Specialized armored vehicles developed by the British, such as the Hobart's Funnies, designed to overcome specific obstacles like mines, walls, and water-filled ditches.
4) How many of the beach attacks were successful? Four out of five beaches (Utah, Gold, Juno, Sword) were successfully secured; Omaha Beach was extremely difficult but ultimately captured.
5) Give two reasons the Germans were unprepared for the invasion:
- They believed the main invasion would come at Calais, not Normandy.
- Poor weather on D-Day led them to believe an invasion was unlikely, causing many officers to be away from their posts.
The Impact - Task 3:
Most Important
1) B) D-Day opened a 'bridgehead' (a secure launching base) for further attacks into France, pushing the Germans back further.
2) D) The attack drained Hitler’s resources. Now, he had to send troops to defend France, splitting his army and having to fight on two sides.
3) C) The Invasion was further evidence that Hitler could be beaten. Now, others flocked to join the fight against the Nazis.
4) A) D-Day was the largest sea-borne invasion in history. 156,000 soldiers and almost 7,000 ships were used.
5) E) Less than a year after the invasion, the Allies formally accepted Nazi Germany’s surrender on 7 May 1945.
6) F) 4,413 Allied soldiers died during the D-Day landings. Around 5,000 Germans died.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of d day worksheet.
