US ARMY
BIGOT
Report
Date :
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Last Name :
________________________
D-Day Experience
Name :
Division
__________________________
101st
Welcome to D-Day Experience
Hello new recruit, I am Mike, an American paratrooper of the 101st airborne division.
From now on, you too are a soldier
of this famous division. The 101st
division was especially created
during World War II : our job was
to secure the in-lands by
jumping in Normandy on D-Day.
The idea was that with the help of
those landing on the beaches, we
would weaken the German defense.
We had to take Carentan back from
the Germans, at all cost.s You will
understand why by visiting D-Day
Experience. You will also learn
about the organization of the
101st and who we had to fight
against : the Green Devils,
a German airborne division.
Ready to board
soldier ?
Reminder
World War II
September 1st, 1939 : Germany led by Hitler invade Poland.
September 3rd, 1939 : beginning of World War II. The United Kingdom and
France declare war on Germany.
1940-1942 : the Axis powers are formed by Germany, Italy and Japan, whilst
France is invaded by Germany. Marshall Pétain comes to power in France and
antisemitic laws are passed by the Vichy regime : jews are deported.
June 18th, 1940 : Charles de Gaulle delivers his famous speech in the "appeal
of June, 18th" to call for the French Resistance.
December 1941 : Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, the American naval base in
Hawaï. The USA declare war against Japan and joins the Allies with the United
Kingdom and the URSS.
WHAT IS THE
101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION ?
The 101st airborne division is is a group of soldiers
(about 6,500 men). Most of them took part in the D-Day landings
on June 6th, 1944 in Normandy.
Also nicknamed the "Screaming Eagles", they follow an
intensive training in order to fulfill their mission : jump in
Normandy. Their mission ? It is your turn to discover it !
Explain in a few words and/or thanks to a diagram how an airborne division is
organized. You can get some help from the board "How does it work ?" located
at the entrance of the museum :
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In order to recognize which division each of our comrades belong to, we all wear
an insignia on our shoulder.
Circle the 101st insignia among the ones below :
1
2
3
4
Explain in a few words why in your opinion, the 101st airborne's insignia
symbolized this division pretty well :
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Did you know ?
The eagle's name on our
insignia is Old Abe.
It was first the symbol of the
Wisconsin's army during the
american Civil War.
Get ready !
Being a paratrooper requires particular training. Ours took place at Camp Toccoa
Fort Bragg and Fort Benning. During this training, we have learnt how to use
the gear that we carry.
Gather your gear using the displays and complete the picture below :
-
Jump boots
Gas detector armband/brassard
Life-vest
Helmet
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Parachute
Grenade
Knife
Pocket magazine
Is your gear complete ?
Now that you have all (of) your gear, you need to leran how to use it.
Let's get our training started !
Explain in your own words the use of the following objects :
- The cricket
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- The gas detector armband/brassard
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- The K-ration
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Did you know ?
The whole equipment of a paratrooper
before jumping could weigh up to 175 lbs
(parachute included)
Meeting with the top rank/high-graded
It's June 5th, 1944, a man of the highest importance comes
to visit us : the General Eisenhower. D-Day is closer than ever...
Which object belonging to General Eisenhower is featured in this room ?
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How can you find out the rank of the owner of this object ?
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In your opinion, why is General Eisenhower visiting
us on this day ?
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Why is D-Day planned on June, 6th 1944 ? Which
conditions are required for the D-Day landings by
the sky and sea to be a success ?
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This is the desk of the general Eisenhower. Complete the map with your own
key (colors/patterns) in order to identify the Axis Powers and Allied Forces to
get a better overview of the situation in 1944, just before D-Day.
Key :
Which countries gave a worlwide dimension to the conflict by
stepping in ? Please explain who they took side with ?
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Team work : the Pathfinders...
Let's meet the Pathfinders. This group of paratroopers has a specific mission
during D-Day....
Find their insignia in the display dedicated to them and draw it below :
Thinking about their name "Pathfinders", can you guess
what their mission is ?
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... and the Filthy Thirteen
Who are the mysterious Filthy Thirteen ?
Find the display about the Iroquois. On his right, there is a board with all the
explanation needed to understand this nickname.
The Filthy Thirteen also had a specific mission. What is it?
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Who is their leader ? ...........................................................................................
Why do they have this haircut ? Circle the right answer.
It was trendy in 1944
It was a way to honor their
leader
It was the haircut of their
ancestor
Overlord is a well-organized military operation where
everybody has a specific task: paratroopers will land from
the sky to weaken the Germans troups, and then the
infantry will assault the beaches.
The success of this mission depends on each and
everyone one of us.
Nearly time to board soldier !
It's time to go to the briefing room. In a few short moments, we will board our
plane heading for Normandy !
But before that, let's meet Rupert in the corridor before the briefing room.
What is it ? Tick the right answer.
Rupert is a dog guarding the plane
Rupert is a type of plane used in the 40's
Rupert is a dummy dropped to deceive the enemy
Did you know ?
A psychological war consists of
deceiving the enemy by
spreading false
information and building false
events to create confusion in
foe intelligence.
Your training is over !
It's time to test your knowledge about everything you have learned from your
training. Find the hidden word using the definitions below :
1. The aircraft you are about to board has this nickname.
2. Paratroopers use it to communicate without speaking.
3. This is the area where D-Day Landings took place.
4. It can be dorsal or reserve. You had better have your own before boarding.
5. This is a synonym of rocket-launcher.
6. You can see his jacket in the first room, he was the general of the US army
and then President of the United States of America.
7. They were the very first soldiers to jump.
8. This animal was used to send coded messages during the war.
The hidden word is the name given to the area where the paratroopers are supposed to land
Is the door of the briefing room open, yet ? Then let's go ! The Colonel Wolverton will explain our mission...
D-Day :
Parachuting in Normandy
After receiving the orders from Colonel Wolverton, we boarded the plane
"Stoy Hora". The flight was pretty chaotic, but here we are, in Normandy !
Sum up in your own words
the Colonel Wolverton's speech :
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Finally on dry land !
There you are, in Normandy. After removing your harness, you need to find your
fellow paratroopers using your cricket. If you listened carefully to Colonel
Wolverton, you will know the passwords to recognize your friends.
Can you write them down ?
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We were really lucky because despite the crash of our plane we are safe and
sound. Sadly, this wasn't the case for everybody. Find the story of General Pratt
and his glider in the middle of the room and answer the questions below :
How did the gliders cross the Channel ?
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What could carry the gliders ?
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Did you know ?
In the night from 5th to 6th of June
1944, about 1900 planes and gliders
were mobilized of which 832 C-47's,
identical to the one you boarded.
Treating the wounded soldiers
Most of the time during the fightings the casualties are more important during the
first hours. To counter this and therefore decrease the number of deaths, a field
hospital is established for the first time in history, where surgeons are jumping
alongside us. Learn more about this novelty looking at the medical equipment
display and diorama of the medical aid center to answer those questions :
How many surgeons were sent to the front with the 326th Airborne Medical
Company ? ............................................................................................
According to the movie displayed, how many soldiers were killed or wounded
during the 10 first days of fighting
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Where was the field hospital established ?
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Do you think this novelty was a success ? Develop your answer.
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Did you know?
The Geneva Convention is made of agreements
between different countries to ascertain rules to
protect the people involved in the conflict : soldiers
on battle field, war prisoners, (POW) or civilians. It
also states to not harm people or attack buildings
which display the red cross in order to protect
medical staff and wounded people.
Remembering
Go to the final display and choose two objects that you find interesting and
explain your choice.
I chose ............................................................................................ because .........................................................................
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I chose ......................................................... because ........................................
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The tragic destiny of Colonel Wolverton
Before finishing your visit, read the last board entitled
"I will never be at the Muehlebach Hotel".
What happened to Colonel Wolverton ?
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In the last display of the museum you can observe the off-duty uniform of
Colonel Wolverton and the Purple Heart he received. This medal is awarded to
every man wounded or killed in action.
We owe our liberty to every single one of them.
Leaving the building, on your left you will be able to visit
the Airborne Wall Memorial.
This memorial is dedicated to all the
soldiers from the airborne divisions
who fought during WWII. Each slab is
nominative in order to honor
and remember the sacrifice of these
men.
Spare a thought for them as you walk
by this wall before you go to the Dead
Man's Corner Museum.
Well done soldier !
This is the end of your visit. Thank you for being
such a great listener. I hope that you have
learned a lot about the paratroopers and
their mission during D-Day. Our job is obviously
not over yet, once Normandy is liberated the
101st airborne division carry on fighting : we are
heading to the Netherlands ! Our mission will end
when Europe will be entirely free.
By then, many of our fellow comrades will fall on
the battlefield and today we honor them in
different way. You're doing your part by visiting
this museum and taking interest in their story,
and I am doing mine by passing this story
onto you.
Mike
Now you can go and visit the Dead Man's Corner Museum.
In this second museum you will get the point of view of a german soldier.
Enjoy your visit !
D-Day Experience
2 Village de l'Amont
50500 Saint-Côme-du-Mont
www.dday-experience.com
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