D-Day: Normandy 1944

A HISTORIC LANDING THAT CHANGED THE WORLD

A TRIBUTE TO COURAGE, COMPETENCE AND COMMITMENT

June 6, 1944: The largest allied operation of World War II began in Normandy, France. Yet, few know in detail exactly why and how, from the end of 1943 through August 1944, this region became the most important location in the world. Blending multiple cinematographic techniques, including animation, CGI and stunning live-action images. D-Day: Normandy 1944″ brings this monumental event to the world’s largest screens for the first time ever. Audiences of all ages, including new generations, will discover from a new perspective in breathtaking IMAX® how this landing changed the world. Exploring history, military strategy, science, technology and human values, the film will educate and appeal to all. Narrated by Tom Brokaw, “D-Day: Normandy 1944” pays tribute to the those who gave their lives for our freedom…A duty of memory, a duty of gratitude.”

RATING: G – General Audiences
RUNTIME: Approx. 43 minutes.

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Historic Facts
  • Eisenhower selected June 5, 1944, as the date for the invasion; however, bad weather on the days leading up to the operation caused it to be delayed for 24 hours.
  • On D-Day, 6 June 1944, Allied forces launched a combined naval, air and land assault on Nazi-occupied France. The ‘D’ in D-Day stands simply for ‘day’ and the term was used to describe the first day of any large military operation.
  • Lieutenant-General Frederick Morgan and his team of British, American and Canadian officers submitted plans for the invasion in July 1943. Although limited planning for an invasion of Europe began soon after the evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940, detailed preparations for Operation ‘Overlord’ did not begin until after the Tehran Conference in late 1943.
  • The importance of D-Day often overshadows the overall significance of the entire Normandy campaign. Establishing a bridgehead was critical, but it was just the first step. In the three months after D-Day, the Allies launched a series of additional offensives to try and advance further inland. These operations varied in success and the Allies faced strong and determined German resistance.

 

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EDUCATOR GUIDE

A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON D-DAY AND THE BATTLE OF NORMANDY

A WORD FROM TOM BROKAW

D-Day, the invasion that set the stage for the end of World War II, was the greatest military assault in history, an audacious combination of ground, sea and air forces to gain victory in the greatest war the world had known.

Led by the Americans with British and Canadian forces side by side the invasion faced heavily fortified German positions all along the Norman coastline, the Atlantic Wall.

It was a murderous day as the allies stormed ashore on beaches called Omaha, Utah, Juno, Sword and Gold or dropped from the skies as paratroopers behind enemy lines. Within the French countryside French resistance fighters were invaluable as allies as well.

From the sea an Armada of war ships unloaded men and materiel while turning their big guns on German positions.

For a time it appeared the invasion might fail but it did not and the world was saved.

June 6, 1944, will live forever as testimony to military genius, combat bravery of the highest order and the commitment of free people to defeat the ravages of tyranny.

June 6, 1944, a day to ponder and honor forever.

Tom Brokaw

Why?
THE IMPORTANCE OF OPERATION OVERLORD

In May 1943, to counter Hitler and the Axis forces, the Allies decide to open a Second Front on the western side of Europe. The Allied forces, led by General Eisenhower, have just months to organize the operation, code-named “Overlord,” that will break Hitler’s Atlantic Wall fortress and lead to the battle of Normandy.

How?
A GIGANTIC PREPARATION, A WELL KEPT SECRET

Following significant industrial growth, the US and their allies will, in a very short time, succeed in assembling millions of soldiers in southern England, as well as thousands of boats and planes alongside millions of tons of supplies in preparation for the landing on the beaches of Normandy. The choice of location was kept a secret from the Nazis by tricking them through disinformation operations.

Where & When?
D-DAY: BREAKING THE ATLANTIC WALL

Taking advantage of a small window of opportunity, the great offensive armada goes to sea on June 5th, 1944. At dawn on June 6th, D-Day, the landings begin, with over 150,000 men on the first assault. Despite heavy losses, the landing is a success and, by the evening, the Allied forces have breached the Atlantic Wall.

At What Price?
THE BATTLE OF NORMANDY

Following the successful landing, the battle of Normandy begins. Military and civilian casualties run into the tens of thousands but, after fierce fighting, by August the battle of Normandy finally ends. The Allied troops liberate Paris on August 25th.

The Legacy
PEACE & LIBERTY, A PRECIOUS HERITAGE WORTH PROTECTING

Thanks to “Overlord” the course of WWII swings back in favor of the Allies. But it will take another year to defeat Nazi tyranny and restore Peace and Liberty in the world.

As the number of WWII veterans dwindles, it is important to remember British Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s words: “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”

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