Today's Itinerary and Activities
Day 11: July 16
Today we considered the problem of bringing the war to an end. We explored the Battle for the Delfzijl and Ems Estuary coastal fortresses in the last days of the war.
Today we considered the problem of bringing the war to an end. We explored the Battle for the Delfzijl and Ems Estuary coastal fortresses in the last days of the war.
Tensions in decision-makingEisenhower and the Americans are concerned about preventing the German Army from reaching the Alps, whereas Montgomery and the British do not think this is as significant a concern and want to head to Berlin. How do we end the war?
Ending the war involves setting the political conditions for moving forward – and our tour leaders argue that this has in some ways made us blind to the humanitarian context of the end of the war. What is the humanitarian situation here in the spring of 1945 and how do we teach about it? |
Exploring SignificanceThe port of Delfzijl is highly significant: for moving Jewish families out of the country to Sweden, for getting messages in and out from the exiled royal family, and as a conduit for information between the Dutch resistance and the Allies. We need the port intact and cleared as it is a critical humanitarian lifeline.
This is also how we organize the Red Cross food drops. The Germans will allow the Swedes to drop the food at the port and leave. We know the Dutch Red Cross has been infiltrated by the Nazis, so the Allies insist on having a representative accompany the shipments, which the Germans allow. Ask your students – why would they have allowed this? |
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Classroom questions
How do you as Allied civil affairs deal with the German population?
How might things have been different if different decisions had been made?
How might things have been different if different decisions had been made?