Eisenhower

Personal History: Eisenhower was of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry and was

reared in a large family in Kansas by parents with a robust work ethic and religious background. As one of six sons, he was conditioned by a competitive atmosphere which instilled self-reliance. He attended and graduated from West Point and later married and had two sons. After World War II, Eisenhower served as Army Chief of Staff under President Harry S. Truman, then assumed the post of President at Columbia University.

Military History: 34th President of the United States from 1953 until
1961. He had previously been a five-star general in the United States Army during World War II and served as Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe; he had responsibility for planning and supervising the invasion of North Africa in Operation Torch in 194243 and the successful invasion of France and Germany in 194445 from the Western Front. In 1951, he became the first supreme commander of NATO.

Allied/ Axis Production:

Casualty Figures:

Confidential Information: June 6, 1945 Weather Report RAIN falling from overcast skies and gale force winds, driving large waves on to the beaches of Normandy as dawn broke on Monday June 5, 1944. To the Germans watching their defenses, there is nothing to show that this is the moment the Allied Armies plan to invade Europe. In fact, the operation has been put on hold because the bad weather had been forecast 24 hours before. Had it gone ahead in these conditions, the invasion would have been a catastrophic disaster. Nevertheless, the invasion has to occur on either the 5th, 6th or 7th of June to take advantage of the right conditions of moon and tide. Darkness is needed when the airborne troops go in, but moonlight once they are on the ground. Spring low tide is necessary to ensure extreme low sea level so that the landing craft can spot and avoid the thousands of mined obstacles that have been deployed on the beaches. If this narrow time slot is missed, the invasion will have to be delayed for two weeks.

Guiding Questions: 1. What kind of man are you (Eisenhower)? What would it be like to meet and talk to you?

2. Given current circumstances, what are your ideal goals for the next step in the war?

3. Why is it important to know about the use of Allied and Axis resources? Why is it important to know the number of casualties?

4. How will your confidential information affect the choices you are about to make?

5. What advice will you bring to the War Room, with your fellow commanders?

6. (In the War Room) What orders will you give to ensure an Allied victory?