Remembrance Presentation Notes Slide 1 Welcome SlideIntroduction Good

Remembrance – Presentation Notes Slide 1 – Welcome Slide/Introduction • Good morning… • Thank the school for inviting you in. • Introduce yourself and your job role. Slide 2 – The Second World War and the Lead up to D-Day • The Second World War is also known as World War II or WW 2. • It lasted 6 years – From 1939 to 1945. • The war began when German troops invaded Poland on 1 September 1939 led by Adolf Hitler. • The UK declared war on Germany on 3 September 1939 in an announcement made by then Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain. • The UK and France declared war because they didn’t agree with what Germany was doing. • Many countries were involved in the war. • They all took sides – known as the Allies, or the Axis. • The main Axis countries were Germany, Italy and Japan. • The main Allied countries were Great Britain, the United States, France and the Soviet Union. • There were 2 Prime Ministers during WWII: Neville Chamberlain until 1940 and Winston Churchill from 1940 - 1945. • VE Day – 8 May 1945: The war ended in Europe. • VJ Day –The war ended when Japan surrendered to the Allies on 15 August 1945. They did not sign the official surrender document until 2 September 1945. • The Normandy Landings or ‘D-Day’ was an operation during the Second World War by the Allied Forces which began on 6 June 1944. Slide 3 – The meaning of D-Day Dictionary Definition: © Harper. Collins Publishers 1. the day, June 6, 1944, on which the Allied invasion of Europe began. 2. the day on which any large-scale operation is planned to start. You can use D-day to refer to the day that is chosen for the beginning of an important activity. • There were many D-Days throughout the war. • The Normandy Landings ‘D-Day’ was a key operation as it established a presence in France to give Allied Forces a chance to push forward further into Europe. It was the beginning of the end a significant turning point.

Slide 4 – D-Day • 6 th June 1944. • Originally planned for 5 June but had to be delayed by 24 hours due to bad weather. The decision was made to launch the invasion during a break in the weather. • Codenamed Operation Overlord. • The operation combined naval, air and land forces in an assault on German occupied France against the German Forces. • The Normandy Campaign was more than just one day it was the start of a lengthy and costly campaign. • It allowed Allied forces to position significant numbers of troops in Europe. • Allied troops parachuted into drop zones across northern France. • Allied ground troops landed on the beaches: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. • It began the liberation of North-West Europe. • By the end of the day on 6 th June, Allied forces were in a position to begin an advance into France. Slide 5 – The Aim The overall aim of the Allied Forces was to defeat Germany and bring the war to an end. The aim of D-Day was to: • Open a second front in North West Europe. • Relieve pressure on the Soviet Union troops on the Eastern Front. • Establish a credible foothold in Europe for the first time in many years. • Establish the potential to advance further into Europe. • Weaken Germany’s position by weakening their resources and access to key military positions. • Secure a bridgehead. Slide 6 – Allied Command Photograph – Front Row (L to R): Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder, US General Dwight Eisenhower, British General Bernard Montgomery. Back Row (L to R): Omar Bradley (US First Army), Bertram Ramsey Allied Naval Expeditionary Force), Trafford Leigh-Mallory (Allied Expeditionary Air Forces), Walter Bedell Smith (Chief of Staff). • Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF): The Headquarters of the Commander of Allied Forces from 1943 – End of the Second World War commanded by US General Dwight Eisenhower. • Key figures from the Allied countries came together with a joint purpose.

Key Figures (Allied Forces) US General Dwight Eisenhower Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces (SCAEF) for Operation 'Overlord' - Oversaw all air, land sea units involved. - Planning. - Supervise the invasion. - He oversaw all the final decisions regarding the invasion. Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder Deputy Supreme Allied Commander - Worked with Bomber Command US Strategic Air Forces in Europe. - Responsible for air strategy. - Tedder Carpet’ was a strategy of using intense carpet bombing in 1944 – 1945. British General Bernard Montgomery Commander in Chief for the Allied Ground Forces. - Commanded all land forces taking part, around 160, 000 men. - Fought in both WW 1 and WW 2. - He received a promotion to Field Marshal. Air Chief Marshal Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory Commander in Chief of the Allied Air Forces - Responsible for co-ordinating air support for the invasion. Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay Commander in Chief of the Allied Naval Forces for Operation 'Neptune', the naval component of 'Overlord'. - Previously responsible for the evacuation of troops at Dunkirk in 1940. - He had great knowledge and skills from his 46 year naval career. - Controlled one of the largest naval fleets in history. Lieutenant-General Frederick Morgan Principal Planner of Operation 'Overlord'. - Responsible for producing a plan for the invasion of Europe. - Recommended Normandy as the best invasion site. Lieutenant General Walter Bedell-Smith - Chief of Staff to General Eisenhower.

Slide 7 – Eisenhower Quote: “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. Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battlehardened. He will fight savagely. But this is the year 1944! 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 all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking”. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Allied Commander, 6 June 1944. Slide 8 – Detailed Planning For success planning and co-ordination was extremely important. Planning began in early 1943 and many elements had to be taken into consideration. • Thousands of photographs were taken from the air of the German defences. • Special Forces teams were sent to the coast of France to gather information. • The French Resistance gathered intelligence. • Sabotage of communications and transport took place. • Extensive training exercises took place. • Supplies were stock piled.

Slide 9 – Two Phases Airborne Assault • In the early hours on 6 June over 18, 000 Allied Paratroopers were dropped (British and American Paratroopers) in night drops behind enemy lines. • Although they were highly trained, this was the first combat experience for many who took part. • Provided support for troops on the beaches. • The objective was to secure key sites beyond the beaches. • There was heavy cloud just after midnight on 6 th June and a great deal of enemy fire. • Many were dropped outside of their target areas. • Horsa gliders landed to provide reinforcements. • The airborne assault continued throughout the day and by midnight on 6 th June over 23, 000 Allied troops had landed by parachute or glider. • As part of air operations, aircraft bombed roads and transport networks to make it difficult for the Germans to access resources. • Allied Forces had secured air supremacy prior to D-Day and were mainly unchallenged by the Luftwaffe. Naval • Codenamed: Operation ‘Neptune’ commenced in the early hours of 6 th June. • Also known as ‘Amphibious Landings’. • Almost 7, 000 vessels took part. • Vessel included: Battleships, minesweepers and assault craft. • Aided the landing of 132, 000 ground troops. • In the lead up to D-Day ships including merchant ships helped to transport troops and supplies. • Bombarded the German defences before and during the landings. • Provided fire support for troops including bombarding the German defences. • It was the largest seaborne invasion in history. • There were 5 naval assault forces – One for each of the 5 landing beaches. • “Between D-Day and the end of Operation 'Neptune' on 30 June, the Allied navies landed over 850, 000 men, 148, 000 vehicles and 570, 000 tons of stores on the beaches. By the time the Battle of Normandy ended in August 1944, these numbers had increased to over 2 million men, 400, 000 vehicles and 3 million tons of stores and supplies”. – Source: IWM ‘How D-Day was fought from the sea’.

Slide 10 – Beaches • Allied Forces collected photographs and postcards from people who had been to Normandy on holiday. The BBC ran a ‘competition’ for readers to send in their holiday snaps, which was actually a ploy to obtain information. It gave an insight into the terrain of the coastline, landmarks etc. . . - Beach Names: 5 beaches codenamed: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, Sword • Prior to D-Day, submarines were sent to the beaches and men (including divers) were sent ashore under the cover of darkness to collect sand samples. • Allied forces needed to ensure that the beaches could take the weight of tanks and other vehicles. Tanks did not travel easily over pebbly beaches. • The Allied Forces did not unite all 5 beaches until 12 th June. Why Normandy and not Calais? • The beaches were less fortified. • The terrain of the beaches was much better for landings. • The beaches of Normandy were still within aircraft range. Slide 11 – Defending the Beaches • In 1944, German Field Marshall Erwin Rommel was tasked with defending the French coast against an Allied invasion. • German Forces constructed a series of fortifications known as the ‘Atlantic Wall’ to try to defend the northern coast of France. • When D-Day began on 6 th June, Rommel was away in Germany. As the weather was so bad they did not anticipate the landings taking place when they did. Slide 12 – German Defences • Field Marshall Erwin Rommel believed that the invasion would take place at high tide. • Designed a number of defences that could be adapted to use under water, hidden at mid – high tide. • The jagged iron edges of the ‘hedgehogs’ could rip through the bottom of landing craft. • The German Forces also rigged explosives to some obstacles that would detonate on impact • ‘Teller mines’ which were round, flat land mines were linked to wooden stakes driven into the ground • ‘Rommel’s Asparagus’ – A network of posts driven vertically into the ground to prevent gliders landing in open areas. • Bunkers. • The German Forces tanks and anti-tank weapons were superior to the Allies. • Gun emplacements. • Reinforcements behind the beaches. • Often unfinished.

• Insufficiently manned. • The French Resistance and British Special Operations helped weaken the defences by sabotaging them and providing the Allies with information. • Due to the deception tactics employed, German Forces believed the invasion would happen elsewhere so some of their resources were deployed in other locations. • On Omaha beach the American troops came close to defeat as the naval bombardment failed in its mission to knockout some defence posts. German Forces were highly skilled and trained having gained experience on the Eastern Front. Slide 13 – Preparing the Troops • Extensive training took place – For individuals, units and on a bigger scale. • Learning to swim – Troops had to learn to swim (many didn’t have this skill) and also wearing full kit. • Planning – Careful and extensive planning was needed • Meetings/Briefings – The Allied forces had to ensure that everyone involved from the Senior Military figures to the troops on the ground knew what role they had to play during the invasion. • Supplies – Were amassed, particularly in the South West of England. • Parachutes – Had to be prepared for troops being dropped into Normandy. • Firing Ranges – Were in high demand. • Bases –Set up across the country to train troops and practise the invasion and skills needed. Slide 14 – Practice • From December 1943, Allied Forces practised landing on beaches in the UK in a number of exercises. • ‘Exercise/Operation Tiger’ – A large scale rehearsal in April 1944 at Slapton Sands, Devon. The purpose was for American Forces due to land on Utah beach to practise as the beach terrain was similar. - Sadly, the exercise ended in disaster and cost the lives of at least 749 servicemen. - 27 th April, there was a ‘friendly fire’ incident. The forces were using live ammunition to make the experience as ‘real’ as possible. As several of the ships taking part were delayed, the decision was made to delay the landing by 1 hour. Unfortunately some landing craft did not receive the message so troops started to land at the original time. The troops came under fire and an unknown number of casualties were a result. - On the morning of 28 th April a convoy of 8 ships (LSTs) were targeted by German E-boats in Lyme Bay. One of the two ships assigned to protect the convoy was missing. The EBoats attacked – 2 LSTs were sunk, 1 set on fire but managed to return to shore and 1 was damaged by ‘friendly fire’. The remaining ships and the Protection ship fired back and the E-boats made no further attack. - All survivors were sworn to secrecy. - As 10 of the Officers’ missing had BIGOT level clearance (they knew the invasion plans and could have compromised the operation), D-Day was almost called off until all of their bodies were found.

Slide 15 – Supplies Allied Forces needed to ensure they were as equipped as they could be, with huge number of supply elements had to be amassed. • Vehicles including: tanks, trucks, landing craft, aircraft, ships • Maps: These were used extensively. Over 125, 000 maps were used. • Weapons and ammunition including: guns, bombs, bullets, naval guns • Food: In order to sustain the troops once they had landed on the beaches of Normandy the Allied Forces had to ensure a supply of food. They also loaded ‘field kitchens’ onto ships and transported them across to France. • Communications: Radios, • Medical Supplies: Blankets, Stretchers, Field dressings, blood, splints etc… Medics on the beaches were able to provide basic first aid. Some ships for example: HMS Belfast was equipped with a ‘sick bay’ and Surgeons to assist casualties. The wounded from Normandy were transported back to Military hospitals in Britain. Slide 16 – Innovations As a result of D-Day there were many innovative ideas, some of which are still in use, in some form, today. • Horsa Gliders: First made in 1942. During the invasion they transported troops and supplies to Normandy. The gliders were needed on a huge scale to support the invasion. They were towed by an aircraft and then released to glide into position. The supplies could be retrieved. They were made of mainly wood and fabric. • Tide Prediction Machines: To try to predict the tide ahead of the invasion. For the naval assault calm seas were needed to land the troops and troops needed low tide so they could see German underwater defences in order to dismantle them. British Mathematician Arthur Doodson had worked on tide prediction machines since 1942. The aim was to pinpoint tidal patterns. In 1944, Doodson was able to predict the perfect time and place for the landings – between 5 – 7 June at H-Hour. • Landing Craft: There were many different types of landing craft. They were equipped with guns and rocket launchers. The craft were able to land troops and heavy equipment directly onto the beaches. • Fuel (Pluto Pipeline): The Allied Forces built a pipeline known as ‘Pluto’. The development of this idea began in 1942 and the aim was to build an underwater pipeline between Great Britain and France (Normandy). Allied Forces needed to ensure that there was a plentiful and uninterrupted source of fuel during the invasion. The idea was to support an amphibious invasion. The pipeline was not fully operational until after D-Day, on 12 th August 1944.

Slide 17 - Hobarts Funnies Major-General Sir Percy Hobart • Until preparations for D-Day began, Allied Forces had not made many developments in their armoured equipment. • In 1943, Major-General Sir Percy Hobart commanded the 79 th Armoured Division. • The division was responsible to developing and adapting equipment to support troops on the ground. • He developed some existing equipment but also developed new technologies. • The armoured vehicles became known as ‘Hobart’s Funnies’. Equipment: • Duplex Drive (DD) 'swimming' Sherman: Amphibious tank with tracks for travel on land engine powered propellers for use in the water. The canvas floatation device added additional buoyance to support the weight of the tank which meant it retained fire power. • ‘BOBBIN’ Carpet Layer: A Churchill AVRE modified to lay reinforced matting on soft beach surfaces. This allowed the terrain to support the weight of the tanks and heavy equipment. It was also easier to drive across challenging terrain. • 'CRAB' Flail: A Sherman tank with a ‘flail’ (roller and weighted chain) used to clear mines. Adaption from an earlier tank used during the Battle of El Alamein. Others: • AVRE (Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineer): Modified Churchill tank fitted with a spigot mortar. Purpose was to demolish steel and concrete structures. i. e. gun emplacements. • SPIGOT MORTAR: The main weapon on a Churchill tank. It fired 40 -pound bombs. It was also known as the 'Flying Dustbin'. • FASCINE CARRIER: Large bundles of wooden sticks and materials used to bridge gaps. • SBG BRIDGE LAYER: Used to bridge larger gaps and provide a ramp. • ARK (The Armoured Ramp Carrier): Modified Churchill tank with a foldable ramp to create bridges other vehicles could cross. • THE BUFFALO AMPHIBIAN LVT (Landing Vehicle Tracked): Lightly armoured but effective in delivering troops and supplies. • 'KANGAROO' ARMOURED PERSONNEL CARRIER (APC): For the fast transport of the infantry. • CDL (Canal Defence Light): A Grant tank with a searchlight in the turret to provide light during night operations.

Slide 18 – Deception To confuse the German ‘Axis’ Forces and make them believe that the invasion was going to take place in Calais not Normandy the Allies put into action a number of deceptions techniques. The reason for this was so that the German Forces concentrated their troops and resources elsewhere. It was to disguise the final preparations for D-Day. The Normandy deception plan was codenamed ‘Operation Fortitude’ and was part of a bigger plan codenamed ‘Operation Bodyguard’. Techniques: • False Information ‘Fake News’: Double Agents passed on information to the German Forces both during and after the invasion that was incorrect. • Fake Radio Transmissions: False information was broadcast across the airwaves as they knew the German Forces would be listening into the radio traffic. • Bombing: Although areas around Normandy were bombed to try to isolate the invasion area, Allied Forces also bombed various targets in Calais and along the French coast to make German Forces think they invasion would take place elsewhere. • Window: These were metallic strips of paper which were dropped from aircraft along the coast of France to confuse German radar. They dropped so many of these strips that the German forces believed it was the invasion forces. Slide 19 – Decoys • Dummy Parachutists: Were dropped from aircraft overnight to simulate an airborne invasion. These were known as ‘Ruperts’, standing at just under 3 ft tall and filled with sand straw they looked very convincing being dropped against a dark sky. • Imaginary Force: The Allies created a ‘Force’ known as First US Army Group (FUSAG) who in reality did not exist. This was to make the opposing forces believe that the invasion forces were bigger than they actually were. • Decoy Equipment: The Allied Forces used numerous ‘dummy’ equipment such as inflatable tanks and vehicles so that opposing forces continued to believe that the invasion would take place in Calais. Slide 20 – HMS Belfast • HMS Belfast fired over 5, 000 shells to support troops landing on the beaches. • It is widely believed that HMS Belfast was first to open fire at 0527 hrs however the ships log recorded another cruiser fired at 0523 hrs. • It was one of the larger warships in the British fleet. • Fully equipped with a sick bay and surgeons. • HMS Belfast is now a London Landmark looked after by The Imperial War Museum which can be visited.

Slide 21 – The Weather • During the planning of D-Day weather was a serious consideration. • Group Captain James Stagg: Responsible for advising on the weather conditions ahead of the invasion. - He was a leading meteorology expert. - Appointed to the planning team in 1943. - They looked at a number of factors when deciding a date for the invasion: weather conditions, phases of the moon and tide patterns. There needed to be a peak combination of these factors. - The experts regularly practised for D-Day. - They also had to consider the humidity, temperature and precipitation. • The weather conditions on D-Day were still not ideal for the invasion. • The forecast predicted poor weather conditions however, there would be a short break in the conditions between 5 – 7 June. • Eisenhower commanded the invasion to proceed on 6 th June. • The weather was a critical factor but delays could cause the secrecy of the invasion to be compromised. Slide 22 – The Invasion • Over 23, 000 Allied troops were dropped into position by either aircraft or glider. • Almost 7, 000 vessels took part. • Naval Forces were responsible for landing over 132, 000 troops on the beaches • A total of over 156, 000 troops were landed by sea or by air. • 4, 413 troops were killed on D-Day alone (personnel from all of the Allied countries). • German losses are estimated to be between 4, 000 – 9, 000. • Over 100, 000 Allied and German Forces personnel were killed during the whole Normandy Campaign. With over 20, 000 French civilians. Slide 23 – The Beginning of the End • Operation Overlord did not bring an end to the war in Europe, it did however start the process of ending the war and giving the Allies victory. • The Allies launched a number of further offensives to try to advance deeper into Europe. • Some operations were more successful than others. • The Germans continued in their determination to resist. • The bocage - a distinctiveness of the Normandy landscape (sunken lanes lined by high and very thick hedgerows) was very hard to breach and gave the German Forces an advantage. • Even with a number of setbacks the Normandy Campaign was a decisive victory for the Allies. • It cemented the way for the liberation of North West Europe.

Slide 24 – The End of the Second World War • VE Day or ‘Victory in Europe’ marked the end of the war in Europe - The surrender was conducted at the Headquarters of British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, Luneburg on 4 th May 1945. Field Marshal Montgomery accepted Germany’s unconditional surrender of German Forces in the Netherlands, Northwest Germany and Denmark. - On 7 th May 1945, General Eisenhower accepted the unconditional surrender of German Forces at his Headquarters in France. The surrender document was signed on behalf of Germany by General Alfred Jodl. - The end of the war was announced across the radio to the British people on the evening of 7 th May 1945 with a BBC newsflash. - Special editions of newspapers were printed - People went out into the streets and cheered. Bunting and flags were hung out. - Bonfires were lit and people danced in the streets - VE Day was a national holiday on 8 th May. - Winston Churchill addressed the nation. He declared, 'This is your victory. ' - The Royal family appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Place to greet the growing crowds. • Although the war was officially over in Europe it continued on the Far East front until Japan finally surrendered on 15 August 1945. Known as ‘Victory in Japan’ or VJ Day. The official surrender was signed on 2 nd September 1945. Slide 25 – D-Day Veteran, Les Fryatt ABF The Soldiers’ Charity support: Over 70 years ago, Les was serving as a Gunner in the Royal Artillery. As part of a 10 man team he played a critical part in demolishing German positions inland at Normandy during the Second World War. Les fought his way across Europe and was demobbed in 1947. He then went on to join the Reserves in which he served for 13 more years. In February 2016, Les was presented with the Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur at the French Embassy in London. Decades later, Les needed the support of The Soldiers’ Charity. Following surgery for knee and hip replacements, he struggled to get in and out of the bath safely. Without the installation of a walk-in shower, Les feared that he and his wife Jeanette would have to leave their home of 30 years. After an initial contribution by local authorities, The Soldiers’ Charity stepped in with a grant that allowed for the completion of the work and the provision of a safer living environment for this delightful couple. Our funding paid towards the installation of a walk in shower at the home of D Day veteran Les and his wife Jeanette. Could include example from RAF and Royal Navy – If they can be supplied to adapt to school’s locality. Slide 26 – Any Questions? Slide 27 – End Slide ‘Red, White & Blue Day’