Group+C+6-B-1+Workspace

= Home > Learning Activity 6-B-1: WWII Maps > Group C 6-B-1 Workspace =

SEA Record
Record your observations below for each stage of your primary source analysis.

=== Scan ===

Record observations from the Scan stage here. This looks like an invasion of British and US forces headed into France. From the date and attack pattern, probably D-Day. (BW) Just from my perspective, this is a very confusing map with entirely too much going on. It is hard to "read". This is one of those that would be better printed out so that you could see the whole thing at once. The orientation of the maps seems off and no compass rose to confirm. Lots more English and United States troops than the "enemy" (cp)

=== Examine ===

Record observations from the Examine stage here. The map was secret at some point, but secret is crossed out. There are numbers next to the boxes--maybe indicating the unit numbers of those soldiers. The US/British forces are divided into 6 groups that are attacking the beach. There are numbers on the enemy boxes as well--maybe indicating # of soldiers in each group, because the numbers seem higher. (BW) The only key seems to indicate just English, US, and "Enemy" troops and the bombline. Need key/legend for what all the other symbols mean. It would also be helpful to know how this picture fits into the bigger picture of France and England in order to get perspective. Maybe it was meant to be difficult to read due to it originally being secret and that way if it did get in the wrong hands, their abbreviations and symbols wouldn't be deciphered. (cp) Looking closer, there's a scale at the bottom. Lines of latitude and longitude are marked along the outside of the map. Throughout the map towns, rivers and RR tracks are labeled. (BW)

=== Analyze ===

The German 352nd Infantry Division, heavily attrited by battles along Omaha Beach, withdrew from its shore positions before being overwhelmed by the ever-growing American forces. Division commander Major General Dietrich Kraiss risked an unauthorized breakout to free his division, which was threatened by the U.S. 1st Infantry Division. On June 8, 1944, the 1st Division made contact with the British 50th Division near Port en Bessin, thus linking the British and American beachheads.

On June 12, 1944, the 352nd came under the control of the German 2nd Parachute Corps. Deployed northeast of St. Lô along the Elle River, Kraiss' division battled the U.S. 29th Infantry Division June 13­18, until the latter forced its way across the river and the 352nd repositioned itself in front of St. Lô. []

Although the term [|D-Day] is used routinely as military lingo for the day an operation or event will take place, for many it is also synonymous with June 6, 1944, the day the Allied powers crossed the English Channel and landed on the beaches of Normandy, France, beginning the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi control during [|World War II]. Within three months, the northern part of France would be freed and the invasion force would be preparing to enter Germany, where they would meet up with Soviet forces moving in from the east.

With Hitler's armies in control of most of mainland Europe, the Allies knew that a successful invasion of the continent was central to winning the war. Hitler knew this too, and was expecting an assault on northwestern Europe in the spring of 1944. He hoped to repel the Allies from the coast with a strong counterattack that would delay future invasion attempts, giving him time to throw the majority of his forces into defeating the Soviet Union in the east. Once that was accomplished, he believed an all-out victory would soon be his.

On the morning of June 5, 1944, U.S. General [|Dwight D. Eisenhower], the supreme commander of Allied forces in Europe gave the go-ahead for Operation Overlord, the largest amphibious military operation in history. On his orders, 6,000 landing craft, ships and other vessels carrying 176,000 troops began to leave England for the trip to France. That night, 822 aircraft filled with parachutists headed for drop zones in Normandy. An additional 13,000 aircraft were mobilized to provide air cover and support for the invasion.

By dawn on June 6, 18,000 parachutists were already on the ground; the land invasions began at 6:30 a.m. The British and Canadians overcame light opposition to capture Gold, Juno and Sword beaches; so did the Americans at [|Utah]. The task was much tougher at Omaha beach, however, where 2,000 troops were lost and it was only through the tenacity and quick-wittedness of troops on the ground that the objective was achieved. By day's end, 155,000 Allied troops--Americans, British and Canadians--had successfully stormed Normandy’s beaches.[]

Although the map appears to be D-Day, the date on it says June 8. The D-Day invasion took place on June 6. This brings up some questions about the map. This map could have been created on the 8th to show what had just happened two days prior, or it was showing reinforcements coming after the initial assault. Also, it is interesting that Canadian forces are not included. Either they were lumped in with the British or they were not sending in more troops. BW

== Discussion Area == Discuss and answer the following questions about the series of maps.

Discuss and answer here. Since I teach history (including WWII) these maps will fit right in with my curriculum. The would give students a better idea of where battles were taking place but also how much information (or the lack thereof) each side had about the other. (BW)
 * //How can this series of maps be used in the classroom?// **

I believe these situation maps would be much better when viewed printed and with bigger "regular" maps without all the detailed troop info such as []of the general areas to compare. Definitely would be helpful in study the Battles of WWII. (cp) I would agree. For a history class, most textbooks would already contain the "regular" map, but for other subjects they would want to find a resource like the one you provided. (BW)

These maps could be used in math classes to analyze the ratios of Allied and Axis troops, or in Language Arts classes to compare/contrast or write a detailed descriptive paper on the battles. (cp)

// **What prior information would be necessary for students to use these maps effectively?** // Discuss and answer here. Students will obviously need basic map-reading skills. In addition, a general sense of geography. For example, with the map used in this activity, even if a student didn't realize it was from WWII, they should be able to recognize France. I would also argue that some historical context, at least a general overview of what was taking place at the time the map was created, should be included.(BW)

As noted above bigger maps, as well as "normal" maps to compare would be necessary, as well as, detailed map skills, and background knowledge about WWII and what led to the these battles. (cp)

// **Would you use these maps in your classroom? Why or why not?** // Discuss and answer here. I would use these maps in my classroom. They are a prefect fit for my curriculum. I could see structuring an activity to have students view several maps and determine what event during WWII the map is depicting. (BW)

I would not use these particular maps as my standards start world history post WWII. The previous grade does American history through WWII so it might be best used there. Also because my main focus is geography, I would rather use more current day maps. (cp)[]

== Map Uses Brainstorming ==

> > > > . STudents can look at the arcitechture of buildings and other famous landmarks too! (BW)
 * [] (cp)
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 * variety of "normal" maps in order to try to put all the "pieces" together [], l[]
 * Probably one of the greatest map resources out there is Google Earth. There are so many things to do with it: compare modern maps to other time periods, measure and compare distance, ,teach an understanding of latitude and longitude. If reading a novel that is set in a real place, Google earth can show the geography of that place to help students "picture" a town or country: []
 * Probably one of the greatest map resources out there is Google Earth. There are so many things to do with it: compare modern maps to other time periods, measure and compare distance, ,teach an understanding of latitude and longitude. If reading a novel that is set in a real place, Google earth can show the geography of that place to help students "picture" a town or country: []
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