Working Together in the Second World War - Key Stage 3 Video Script Memorials: Polish Forces Memorial, Normandy Veterans, Brigade of Gurkhas Memorial Presenter: Karen

With this tour, we are looking at the The first memorial we are going to look at is The Battle of Monte also known as Second World War and the service and the Polish Forces Memorial. This memorial the Battle for , was one of the most sacrifice given by people from Britain, the commemorates the Polish men and women important military operations in the Second Commonwealth and Allied nations. People who lost their lives in the Second World World War. It was not just one battle but from across the world served alongside each War. The components of this memorial were a series of military assaults by the Allies other in defence of the values and freedoms made in and then brought here for starting on 17 and ending in we have today. construction. late .

We will be looking at three specific The four figures represent the Polish Nearly a quarter of a million Allied personnel memorials, the Polish Forces Memorial, army, navy, air force and the underground fought in the battle, included people from the Normandy Veterans Memorial and the movement and on top of them all is an eagle, Britain, the USA, Poland, India, , Brigade of Gurkhas Memorial. At each of the emblem for the Polish state. During the Australia, South Africa, , and these memorials we will learn more about Second World War, the Poles were the fourth . Their collaboration led to one of some of the different communities who largest Allied force in Europe. Surrounding the most important victories of the Second worked together in the Second World War, in the central sculpture are a series of plaques, World War, which helped bring an end to Europe and in the Far East. these describe the Polish contribution to the the conflict. But there were 55,000 Allied Second World War. casualties.

National Memorial Arboretum | www.thenma.org.uk | Charity No. 1043992 We are now at the Normandy Veterans It was the largest amphibious operation in As well as being at war with in memorial. The avenue of poplar trees, history involving an armada of over 5,000 Europe, in the Second World War, Britain and memorial plinth and the five stones are vessels and ships, 11,000 aeroplanes and its Allies were also in conflict with Japan in dedicated to all the men and women who over 130,000 ground troops. The operation the Far East. took part in in 1944. required the collaboration of thirteen Allied nations and Commonwealth countries, One of largest forces to serve in the Far Operation Overlord was the codename for as well as the assistances from tens of East was the Fourteenth Army, which was the Allies’ plan to invade mainland Europe thousands of members of the French made up of over a million people from across which was occupied by . Resistance. The military was supported by the Commonwealth. The Fourteenth Army The operation began on 6 June 1944, people from a range of professions including included over half a million people from pre- known as D-Day, when British, Allied and meteorologists, scientists, and the GCHQ. partition India alongside people from regions Commonwealth personnel landed on five Meanwhile, inventors had to invent new including Britain, East Africa, and West Africa. beaches in Normandy. technologies, such as Mulberry Harbours and Hobart’s Funnies, to enable the landings to happen. Many Gurkhas also served in the Fourteenth The five boulders in the memorial are named Army. We are now standing at the Brigade after the beaches; Utah, Omaha, Gold, of Gurkhas Memorial which remembers the Juno and Sword, and are arranged in the The success of the operation required service given by all who have served in same order that they would be seen from collaboration by people from across the Gurkha regiments since 1815, including in the sea. The beaches were originally called world. It marked the beginning of the the Second World War. The design of the Swordfish, Goldfish and Jellyfish, shortened and ultimately the end of memorial is inspired by a chautara, a resting to Sword, Gold and Jelly. the Second World War in Europe. place for travellers on hillsides. objected to the name saying he would not send men to die on a beach named ‘Jellyfish’, and the J became Juno.

National Memorial Arboretum | www.thenma.org.uk | Charity No. 1043992 Serving in the Far East was extremely Over a year later, on 15 August 1945, the challenging. Soldiers had to live in difficult conflict with Japan came to an end thanks, conditions and were caught in brutal in part, to the collaboration between people combat with the Imperial Japanese Army. from across the Commonwealth and Allied But, by working together, the people in the nations who served alongside each other in Fourteenth Army won some of the most the Fourteenth Army. difficult battles in the Second World War, such as the battles of Kohima and Imphal The Second World War would not have been which took place between March and June won without all the support from all armies 1944. The battles were a turning point in the and Allies which eventually brought victory. Second World War. The Fourteenth Army had been able to stop the Imperial Japanese Army from progressing further into pre- **END** partition India and instead were able to start pushing them back.

National Memorial Arboretum | www.thenma.org.uk | Charity No. 1043992 WORKING TOGETHER IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR ANSWERS

What was the codename for the Allies’ plan to invade Session One northern Europe? The Second World War Operation Overlord Name three countries that were part of the Allies. Questions after What were the names of the five beaches of Normandy Three countries from the following, Britain, France, watching the film. the Allied personnel landed on? Poland, Soviet Union, USA, Commonwealth Omaha, Utah, Gold, Sword, Juno Countries, Pre-partition India.

What do the four figures on the Polish Armed Forces How many Allied and Commonwealth countries Name the three main Axis countries. Memorial represent? collaborated on the Normandy operation? (Nazi) Germany, , (Imperial) Japan The four figures represent the Polish army, navy, air 13 force and the underground movement. Name two other countries that joined the Axis countries What is the name of one of the largest Allied force to during the Second World War. The Poles were the fourth largest Allied force in Europe. serve in the Far East? Choose two from the following, Hungary, Romania, True Fourteenth Army Bulgaria

Name four Allied countries that were involved in the The design of the Gurkha Memorial is inspired by a What is important about 8 May 1945? Battle of . chautara. What is a chautara? in Europe ended on this day. Four from the following countries, Britain, the USA, A resting place for travellers on hillsides. Poland, India, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New What is this day known as? Zealand, and Morocco. Who were the Allies fighting in the Far East? It is known as Victory in Europe Day, or VEDay. (Imperial) Japan

National Memorial Arboretum | www.thenma.org.uk | Charity No. 1043992 What is important about 15 August 1945? • The attack began when Allied planes and warships bombarded German positions along the coastline. News Report on the The war in the Far East ended on this day. This was to damage the defences making it easier for the troops to get ashore. Battle of Monte Cassino What is this day known as? • On the day, planes and gliders dropped tens of It is known as Victory over Japan Day, or VJDay. thousands of Allied soldiers behind the German Write a news report the day after the Polish II Corps defences. They took control of important roads and reached the monastery at Monte Cassino – 19 May 1945. How many people from pre-partition India served in the bridges. This made it harder for the German army The report should be formal and should include the Second World War? to rush extra men towards areas where the troops following. were landing. 2.5 million. • a headline • a sub heading • a quote D-Day and Session Two Operation Overlord The Fourteenth Army: What do you think was the main reason that the D-Day Stories of Home Activity landings in Normandy were successful and why? Battle of Monte Cassino

These are some of the answers that may have been People from different countries served alongside each written. Michael Bondel other in the Fourteenth Army. Many people made new • The success of the day was largely due to the What nationality was Michael Bondel? friends and learned a lot about each other’s cultures and cooperation of the Allied nations involved. communities. Polish • They planned the attack meticulously from all One of the following countries is to be chosen, Britain, pre-partition India, Nepal, Nigeria, East, angles. What did the soldiers have to carry in their backpacks? Southern and West Africa • Although the Germans thought there would be Blankets, coats and personal equipment. an attack, the Allied secret services launched a A piece of creative writing about one of the countries number of operations to fool the Germans into What happened when Michael and his fellow troops that was part of the Fourteenth Army. thinking the attack would come from somewhere made their way up the narrow mountain path? else. Nazi German mortar shells fell on them. The writing should include, • The weather on the day of the attack had been • A description of the country from the point of view very poor and the Germans did not think the Allies of someone coming from there and serving in the On 12 May, Michael advanced with the infantry. What would attack, so they were caught off guard. Fourteenth Army. were the signallers unable to carry? What situation did this put them in? • What was the country like? They could not carry arms / weapons. Because of this • What would the person have been missing about they went into battle unarmed. their home?

National Memorial Arboretum | www.thenma.org.uk | Charity No. 1043992