HHOUR DDAY TH JUNE 6 1944 The invasion

H-HOUR D-DAY TH JUNE 6 , 1944 The invasion of France OPERATION OVERLORD

Operation Overload ■ Planned invasion of France ■ Invasion of Italy was slow because resources were being held for this invasion of France ■ Goal: to end the war as quickly as possible ■ Took place on the beaches of Normandy, in northern France ■ Eisenhower commanded the mission and General Omar Bradley lead the American troops

THE ATLANTIC WALL WHAT WERE WE UP AGAINST? 1670 miles of fortified coastline in France –manned by 300, 000 soldiers – 260 k workers – 1. 2 million tons of steel – 5 million mines were laid along the beaches

How do you begin an invasion? ■ We started the mission with the DD tanks. ■ 112 tanks total – first wave sent 29 tanks and 27 sank ■ They were designed to withstand 3 foot seas – not 6 foot seas. ■ They could travel at 4 knots DD Tanks

D-Day Statement to Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force ■ What would you say to the troops before going into the most intense battle of the war? ■ How does Eisenhower describe the invasion and the troops? ■ Describe how you imagine General Dwight D. Eisenhower, commander of the Allied forces in Europe during WWII, felt the night

Normandy ■ June 6, 1944 ■ Involved 3. 5 million soldiers ■ Tensions were high, success was uncertain ■ Out of 10, 000 casualties, 6, 000 were American ■ Germans were slow to respond, Hitler thought it was a trick ■ By the end of August, Paris was freed from the Germans https: //youtu. be/RIIN 0 Ug 8 wg 8

BATTLE OF THE BULGE ■ December 16, 1944 ■ Surprise attack by the Germans ■ Named after the battle lines created by German advances ■ Hitler’s forces threatened to win back vital ground ■ American men were low on supplies as winter broke out https: //youtu. be/8 a 8 fq. Gp. Hgsk

Battle of the Bulge ■ December 26, 1944 ■ General George S. Patton led troops to relieve American forces in Bastogne ■ Allies were able to hold on and push German forces back ■ Symbolized great American strength and determination https: //youtu. be/Vl. WICO 6 Nrxc