FIND
France
LEARN
The Road to Berlin
QUESTION: How did Marie Louis Levi-Menard use this typewriter?
She used it to write pamphlets and other communications for the French
Resistance.
An Epic Struggle...
DID YOU KNOW? Marie Louis Levi-Menard was only 16 when she stole this
typewriter from the Germans and began using it—risking prison or death if caught!
The French Resistance were brave men and women who fought the Nazi occupation
of their country.
Teacher key
WWII & YOU: Which rights are important to you? Which are you willing to defend?
What sacrifices would you make to defend those rights?
KEY CONCEPT: There are more ways to fight for freedom than just being a soldier.
There are more weapons to fight with than just guns and bombs.
France
QUESTION: What was the main task of the Red Ball Express?
Transportation of men and supplies.
DID YOU KNOW? After American and other Allied forces invaded France to fight
Nazi Germany, they ran out of gas. Red Ball Express drivers carried fuel hundreds of
miles to the front lines of the fight.
WWII & YOU: If your country discriminated against you, would you volunteer to fight
for it? Why or why not? How would you feel if you wanted to fight, but were only
allowed to drive a truck?
How to use this Teacher Key
This column contains images of artifacts for
your students to locate.
An artifact is a human-made object from a
specific time period in the past and therefore is a
primary source.
FIND
North Africa
Belgium
DID YOU KNOW: The winter of 1944-45 was one of the coldest on record in Europe.
One reason for the success of the German offensive, was that no one expected the
Germans to attack in such cold weather.
WWII & YOU? Do you know anyone who has served in the military? Have you
thanked them for their service?
DID YOU KNOW? Railway systems were used extensively for moving soldiers and
supplies during World War II.
2.
A “DID YOU KNOW” ITEM FOR STUDENTS—some “lagniappe” about the artifact.
A “WWII & YOU“ QUESTION FOR STUDENTS—to get them thinking about
connections between them, the past, and the present. You may want to discuss these
back in your classroom.
A KEY CONCEPT FOR TEACHERS, or how that artifact can teach larger lessons
about the war.
LEARN
QUESTION: What is this weapon called, what is it used for, and which country used
it?
Panzerfaust; Anti-tank weapon; Germany
DID YOU KNOW? The Panzerfaust was very easy to use, and effective. It was often
given to militia troops—made up of students and older men. However, it was a oneshot weapon. The American bazooka, though less effective, could be reloaded.
KEY CONCEPT: War is violent and destructive. Much of what you will see today
shows that fact. Understanding why countries go to war and how they fight are
among the most important lessons we can learn from history.
North Africa
QUESTION: What do the letters DR stand for on this teapot?
Deutsches Reichsbahn
A STUDENT QUESTION - to be answered by examining the artifact or nearby items.
IN THIS KEY, THE ANSWERS ARE LOCATED BELOW EACH QUESTION.
WWII & YOU: How do you feel when you look at this case full of weapons?
KEY CONCEPT: As if fighting a war wasn’t hard enough, soldiers often faced harsh
weather conditions. From the heat and sands of North Africa to the bitter cold and
snow of the European winter of 1944/45, soldiers did their best to cope with a variety
of difficult environments.
Germany
1.
You’ll pass through the different environments
3.
of North African and European where many
Americans fought during WWII. Our environments
are re-creations, but our WWII artifacts—large
and small—are real!
4.
KEY CONCEPT: African Americans had to struggle to be allowed to fight during
WWII. Before and even during the war, African Americans faced discrimination and,
occasionally, violence. Whites and blacks could not train or fight together at that time,
so the US fought the world’s greatest racist (Adolf Hitler) with a segregated military!
QUESTION: Who wore this glove during the Battle of the Bulge?
Major General Troy Middleton
This column contains 4 artifact-related items; only the first 3 are in the
student version. Item 4 is for your use.
QUESTION: Name three places this helmet saw action during WWII.
Tunisia (in North Africa), Sicily, Omaha Beach (in Normandy)
DID YOU KNOW? Soldiers stuck twigs, branches and leaves into the helmet netting
to aid in camouflage.
WWII & YOU: What responsibility do you have for ensuring that our country does not
commit evil acts?
WWII & YOU: In your opinion, what qualities are needed to achieve victory?
KEY CONCEPT: The same country that produced this teapot started the war that led
to the destruction you see around you. Delicate and refined artifacts like this remind
us that even cultured and sophisticated countries can commit great evils.
KEY CONCEPT: Weapons are created for destruction. This helmet is for protection.
While the goal of an army is to win a battle, sometimes the goal of an individual
soldier is merely to stay alive.
Continue your exploration of WWII at www.nationalww2museum.org/learn
North Africa
FIND
Sicily
FIND
LEARN
QUESTION: How long did Minnie Peterson serve overseas?
25 months—in North Africa and France
Italy
DID YOU KNOW? Although WWII Army nurses were usually kept away from combat,
2nd Lt. Ellen Ainsworth was killed by enemy artillery at Anzio, Italy. Also, female
nurses who served overseas endured the same environmental conditions as the
soldiers they tended.
WWII & YOU: Why are women being given expanded roles in today’s military?
WWII & YOU: In what ways can you see math and science affecting your life today?
What about in the future?
KEY CONCEPT: Women didn't serve in combat roles during WWII, but war is never
just a man’s story. More than 400,000 women served in the women’s auxiliary
branches of America’s armed forces. Thousands more served in the Army and Navy
Nurse Corps, caring for thousands of wounded soldiers and sailors.
KEY CONCEPT: Achieving victory takes more than strength. It often takes
specialized knowledge and skills. Throughout history, math and science have been
used for military purposes and those advances are sometimes modified for civilian
use after the fighting stops.
QUESTION: Who wrote these diary pages? On which ship did he serve?
Coast Guardsman John C.W. Meyer; the Samuel P. Chase.
England
WWII & YOU: If you were a WWII-era pilot, would you wear these goggles? Why?
KEY CONCEPT: Eleven million US soldiers fought in Europe during WWII. While
they shared many experiences in common, each was an individual, with his own
thoughts, fears, hopes and dreams. Each soldier’s experience was uniquely his own.
QUESTION: Which group of soldiers is being honored by this medal?
442nd Regimental Combat Team
KEY CONCEPT: The many different vehicles built during the war required the
development of a lot of specialized equipment. Sometimes equipment that looked
good on the drawing board did not function so well in the field.
England
DID YOU KNOW? During WWII, many Japanese Americans fought for America—
although family and friends may have been concentrated into internment camps by
our government. Famous internees include actor George Takei and Hawaii senator
Daniel Inouye, who left a camp to fight—and earned the Medal of Honor!
DID YOU KNOW? 4 chaplains (religious leaders of different faiths) all gave their life
jackets to others when their ship, the Dorchester, was sunk on December 3, 1943. All
four sacrificed their lives so others might live.
WWII & YOU: What circumstances might bring you to ask for a chaplain’s
assistance—if you were a soldier during WWII?
KEY CONCEPT: The American military of WWII included chaplains of many religions
and denominations. They gave advice and comfort, performed religious services, and
administered last rites to dying soldiers. These duties were often performed under fire
and in very difficult conditions.
WWII & YOU: Which animal would you choose to represent you? Your family? Why?
KEY CONCEPT: Teamwork was essential to winning the war. In order to promote
unity, military units adopted mascots, mottos, and even songs.
France
QUESTION: Did fighting during WWII stop for religious holidays?
Only for short periods, but fighting would start again.
QUESTION: Why is this rabbit carrying a screwdriver and wrench?
The unit he represents is an Engineering and Maintenance unit.
DID YOU KNOW? Symbols, such as the screwdriver and wrench, are chosen for
their meanings. Unit symbols in WWII had varied meanings—what the unit did, the
unit’s number or designation, etc
WWII & YOU: Have you ever treated someone unfairly because he or she was
different from you?
KEY CONCEPT: The U.S. did not treat all Americans equally during WWII. For
example, fear and bigotry caused the forcible removal—without trail—of many
Japanese Americans into internment camps, a breach of their civil rights.
QUESTION: Look at other artifacts near this one. What other special equipment was
worn/used by pilots?
Flak helmet, armored vest, apron
DID YOU KNOW? Airplane crews in WWII had to face enemy weapons and a deadly
environment.—ice cold, with little oxygen. The American B-29 bomber was the first
airplane with a pressurized cabin for normal breathing—like today’s passenger jets.
WWII & YOU: What experiences might you have in common someone who was alive
during WWII?
Italy
QUESTION: Slide rules were used to make calculations during WWII. This slide rule
was used to calculate the range of which weapons?
Artillery, Mortars
DID YOU KNOW? Manual machines were used to perform math calculations for
thousands of years. Extensive training was needed to use them effectively.
DID YOU KNOW? The Coast Guard can be reassigned to the military in time of war.
Over 214,000 members of the Coast Guard served during WWII, including almost
13,000 women.
Italy
LEARN
QUESTION: Look at other artifacts near this one. What other forms of entertainment
or treats were sometimes available to soldiers?
Hot coffee, Wrigley’s gum, Tickets to plays, Clubs
DID YOU KNOW? Allied soldiers during WWII often shared treats with those they
met. Treats given by American soldiers helped build good relations with Europeans.
WWII & YOU: If you were a soldier in a war zone, what small treats would give you
the most comfort and joy?
KEY CONCEPT: Being a soldier far away from home and in harm’s way has always
been hard. During WWII, little things—like ice cream, when they could get it—were
very special treats.