World War Two VE Day On Friday 8

World War Two: VE Day On Friday 8 th May, people all over the UK and in other countries of the world turned their thoughts and attention to the 75 th anniversary of VE day. This very important and historical day, back in 1945, marked the end of World War II in Europe. We would like you all to take part in some learning based on World War II. There is a whole range of activities for you to try, something for all ages! Don’t forget to share your learning with your class teachers – we’d love to see what you’ve been doing!

What is VE Day? Watch the clip below to get some background information to VE Day. https: //www. bbc. co. uk/teach/class-clips-video/history-ks 2 -ve-day/z 7 xtmfr There are several tasks we would like you to complete. You could tackle one each day. Each is linked to one aspect of the Second World War. • The escape from Dunkirk – Operation Dynamo • Uniforms • The Battle of Britain • Rationing • Code breakers – the secret work at Bletchley Park • VE Day When you have finished each task, if it is not typed, take a photograph of your work and paste it into a power point presentation, which you can then send to the school office.

Uniforms Have a look at the uniforms. Task 1 Research one of the uniforms worn by British servicemen during the war. Draw the uniform and label the various parts, including any equipment.

‘The Little Ships of Dunkirk’ Watch the clip below to learn more about what happened at Dunkirk. https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=ZOrx 1 Wqgm. UU

Task 2 Now it is your turn. Using recycled materials, we would like you to make your own small vessel. This could be a paper boat, or one made with plastic bottles…it is up to you! When you have finished, try floating it in your sink. Remember to take a photograph.

Rationing During the war, food became scarce, so everyone tried hard not to waste anything. In the end, the government introduced rationing. Every family was issued a ration book, like the one below.

Task 3 Research what items were rationed and create a meal using those items. Write a menu, including a main course and dessert.

Battle Of Britain “Never was so much owed by so many to so few. ” Winston Churchill, 20 August 1940 Listen to Churchill speaking on the clip below. https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=78 em. GJz. Xo 7 Q

This is a photograph of spitfires, the most famous British fighter plane. They were used in the Battle of Britain. https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=ENj. Vba 1 Cf. OM

Task 4 Learn how to make a paper aeroplane. Decorate it with World War II RAF markings. Now see how far it can fly! (Remember to take a photograph before you release it. )

Code Breakers This is the Enigma machine, used by the Germans to send secret messages to each other. In Britain, teams of mathematicians and linguists tried to break the code. They were secretly based at Bletchley Park. Watch the clip below to find out more. https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Cspa. XNk. C 2 ec

Alan Turing – Code Breaker This is a photograph of Alan Turing, who cracked the Enigma code. This is a replica of the machine built by Alan Turing.

Task 5 Try to break the codes below. You may need a little help! (For the first two, think how many places the letters have moved. It may help to write out the alphabet first. ) Code 1 Tubz ipnf. Tubz tbgf. Tbwf mjwft. Code 2 Illh xcqbo bxze lqebo. Code 3 Pvvk blfi illn grwb. Include your deciphered messages in the power point you send into school.

VE Day Read and listen to Churchill’s address to the nation on VE Day. https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=a. J 8 c. Vi 2 ti. H 0 “My dear friends, this is your hour. This is not victory of a party or of any class. It’s a victory of the great British nation as a whole. We were the first, in this ancient island, to draw the sword against tyranny. After a while we were left all alone against the most tremendous military power that has been seen. We were all alone for a whole year. ” (The speech continues on the next slide. )

There we stood, alone. Did anyone want to give in? Were we downhearted? The lights went out and the bombs came down. But every man, woman and child in the country had no thought of quitting the struggle. London can take it. So we came back after long months from the jaws of death, out of the mouth of hell, while all the world wondered. When shall the reputation and faith of this generation of English men and women fail? I say that in the long years to come not only will the people of this island but of the world, wherever the bird of freedom chirps in human hearts, look back to what we’ve done and they will say “do not despair, do not yield to violence and tyranny, march straightforward and die if need be - unconquered. ” Now we have emerged from one deadly struggle - a terrible foe has been cast on the ground awaits our judgment and our mercy. ” Task 6 Now it is your turn. Write your own speech to the nation announcing VE day.

After nearly six years of war, the fighting in Europe ended.

This is a painting by Lowry, showing the VE Day celebrations.

Find out how people celebrated VE Day in 1945. What did they eat at the party? Task 7 Your final task is to make (or help to make) a meal using only the items that would have been available during this period of rations. Remember to take a picture before you eat it! Remember to send your work to the school office, who will then forward it to your teacher.