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World War II Interactive Web Quest

The D-Day Invasion of Normandy

With Allied forces closing in on Hitler from the South and the East, the next step was to invade France and attack Hitler’s forces from the West. Return to the WWII Interactive: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/interactives/inside-wwii-interactive. Click to explore “Europe and Africa,” then click on the box in the top left that reads “D-Day.” Read the first paragraph.

1.  What was the codename of the operation?

2.  How many troops and vehicles landed at Normandy?

3.  Examine the photo essay on the right entitled “The Battle of Normandy.” Scroll through the pictures & read each caption.

4.  In what state were most of the Higgins boats built?

Click on the asset that reads “Higgins LCVP” and the video clip entitled “Higgins Boat in Action.”

5.  List three key facts about the Higgins boat used during D-Day:

Click this link to learn more about the D-Day landings: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/interactive/animations/wwtwo_map_d_day/index_embed.shtml

6.  What was Germany’s “Atlantic Wall” and of what did it consist?

7.  Where did the Nazis set up most of their defenses?

8.  What did Allied airborne divisions do the day before the invasion, and why?

9.  How many Allied troops land throughout the day?

Click this link to learn how the Allied forces deceived Hitler prior to D-Day: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/videos#d-day-deception

10.  What cities were the three best options for where to begin the invasion of France?

11.  What was the name of the plan of deception prior to D-Day?

12.  List some of the ways the Allied forces made Hitler believe the troops were landing at Pas de Calais:

Click this link to watch a short animation about the build up and events of D-Day: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/interactive/animations/wwtwo_movies_dday/index_embed.shtml

13.  What was the date of the invasion?

14.  What were the codenames of the beaches where most American troops landed?

15.  When was Paris finally liberated?

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