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Invasion of Normandy Virtual Staff Rides

Soldiers exit a landing craft onto a smoky World War II Normandy beach, symbolizing the D-Day invasion and the beginning of Europe's liberation.
A squadron of World War II bombers flying in formation over a patchwork of fields, with bomb explosions visible below, capturing a moment of aerial warfare.
A historical black and white photo of a high-ranking officer briefing a group of paratroopers, possibly during World War II, before a mission, with soldiers in full gear paying close attention.
 

The invasion of Normandy studies the American side of Operation OVERLORD as a series of virtual staff rides that can be done individually or combined in numerous ways for a more comprehensive study of the beginning of the campaign to liberate Northwest Europe.

Each virtual staff ride, or “module,” of the Normandy invasion takes two to four hours to execute properly. Modules consist of the Campaign Background, the American Airborne Assault, UTAH Beach, OMAHA Beach, Pointe du Hoc, the Battle of Carentan, and the Sustainment of the Lodgment. The campaign background serves as an introduction to the learning, regardless of the module selected for study.

Each virtual staff ride is a fully exportable package for any organization that has access to the Army authorized gaming software, Virtual Battlespace 3 (VBS3). Each package includes full instructor support materials, participant readings, and VBS3 files.

How to Use the Virtual Staff Ride Materials

The following file provides an overview of virtual staff rides, the products that comprise the Normandy virtual staff rides, how to download the virtual terrain products, and how the materials are used to conduct a virtual staff ride. For those wishing to conduct their own virtual staff ride, this introduction file is your starting point.

Download the VSR Introduction

 

Campaign Background | Airborne Assault | UTAH Beach | OMAHA Beach | Pointe du Hoc | Battle of Carentan | Sustaining the Lodgment

Background | Airborne Assault | UTAH Beach | OMAHA Beach | Pointe du Hoc | Carentan | Lodgment

Normandy Campaign Background

 

This module is the starting point for the Normandy invasion series of virtual staff rides. This campaign background module covers the planning and preparation for the invasion. This portion of the study requires about 30 minutes to cover at the beginning of the virtual staff ride or it can be done as a separate LPD as part of the preliminary study for the other modules. There is no virtual terrain associated with the campaign background.

The image is a cover of a publication about the Normandy campaign during World War II, featuring a historical photograph of soldiers disembarking from a landing craft onto a beach, with a map of the region in the background.

Preliminary Study Materials

TheThese materials help prepare staff ride participants for their virtual visit to the campaign area. This reading is an extract of the Center of Military History publication 72-18, Normandy.

Download the Read Ahead

The image displays two historical black-and-white photos with captions. On the left, General Eisenhower is talking to 101st Airborne Paratroopers before the D-Day landings. On the right, Field Marshal Rommel and his staff are inspecting the Atlantic Wall defenses. The title above reads The Normandy Landings: Operations Neptune and Overlord Introduction.

Field Phase and Materials

These resources are for the staff ride facilitator or instructor. The notes are the materials the instructor uses to tie the historical narrative and the visual aids together. There is no virtual terrain for this introduction to the invasion; it sets the historical context.

Download the Instructor Notes

Download the Visual Aids

Normandy Airborne Assault

 

This module examines the American parachute and glider assaults of the invasion. This module has multiple options for the study, ranging from a focus solely on 6 June to a more in-depth study by division. These options are outlined in the fact sheet, whose link is posted below.

The image features text in large white font on a black background stating MILGAMING SUPPORTING GAMES FOR TRAINING and below in a smaller font & VBS3, where VBS3 is highlighted in orange color. The text promotes military gaming for training purposes.

Virtual Terrain

The VSR runs off the Army’s games-for-training platform, Virtual Battlespace 3 (VBS3). Only current license holders with a CAC enabled computer can operate VBS3. New download authorizations are not available due to contract restrictions with the software manufacturer. Use this link  to access the Army’s Milgaming site to learn more about VBS3.

For authorized VBS3 users, use the link below to access the scenario files and detailed instructions on how to load them into the game engine. Milgaming link.

VBS3 Files

The image shows a watercolor painting of a World War II scene with the title Utah Beach to Cherbourg at the top. It depicts soldiers landing on a beach with vehicles and ships in the background, under a cloudy sky. The bottom overlay text reads World War II 50th Anniversary Commemorative Edition.

Preliminary Study Materials

These materials help prepare staff ride participants for their virtual visit to the campaign area. This reading is an extract of the Center of Military History publication 100-12, Utah Beach to Cherbourg.

Download the Fact Sheet

Download the Read Ahead

Two U.S. Airborne Division patches, the 82nd with red and blue 'AA' insignia and the 101st with a black and gold eagle, overlaid on a topographic map of Sainte-Mère-Église, Normandy.

Field Phase and Materials

These resources are for the staff ride facilitator or instructor. The notes are the materials the instructor uses to tie the terrain, the historical narrative, and the visual aids together. The visual aids help keep the participants oriented to the virtual terrain and to the historical context of the operation.

Download the Instructor Notes

Download the Visual Aids

UTAH Beach

 

This VSR examines the landings and lodgment expansion of the US 4th Infantry Division (ID) at UTAH Beach. While the focus is on the 4th ID and its attachments, the staff ride also examines the naval and air operations in support of the landings.

The image features text in large white font on a black background stating MILGAMING SUPPORTING GAMES FOR TRAINING and below in a smaller font & VBS3, where VBS3 is highlighted in orange color. The text promotes military gaming for training purposes.

Virtual Terrain

The VSR runs off the Army’s games-for-training platform, Virtual Battlespace 3 (VBS3). Only current license holders with a CAC enabled computer can operate VBS3. New download authorizations are not available due to contract restrictions with the software manufacturer. Use this link to access the Army’s Milgaming site to learn more about VBS3.

For authorized VBS3 users, use the link below to access the scenario files and detailed instructions on how to load them into the game engine. Milgaming link.

VBS3 Files

The image shows a watercolor painting of a World War II scene with the title Utah Beach to Cherbourg at the top. It depicts soldiers landing on a beach with vehicles and ships in the background, under a cloudy sky. The bottom overlay text reads World War II 50th Anniversary Commemorative Edition.

Preliminary Study Materials

These materials help prepare staff ride participants for their virtual visit to the campaign area. This reading is an extract of the Center of Military History publication 100-12, Utah Beach to Cherbourg.

Download the Read Ahead
Guidance

Allied troops landing on a Normandy beach with obstacles, under fire, some seeking cover behind hedgehogs, others moving inland, with a house visible in the background.

Field Phase and Materials

These resources are for the staff ride facilitator or instructor. The notes are the materials the instructor uses to tie the terrain, the historical narrative, and the visual aids together. The visual aids are in two parts and help keep the participants oriented to the virtual terrain and to the historical context of the operation.

Download the Instructor Notes

Download the Visual Aids

OMAHA Beach

 

This module of the Normandy invasion VSR studies the OMAHA Beach aspects of Operation NEPTUNE and centers on the organization, plans, and actions of the 1st Infantry Division and its subordinate organizations on 6 June 1944. The staff ride further examines the German organization, plans, and actions to defend the coast.

The image features text in large white font on a black background stating MILGAMING SUPPORTING GAMES FOR TRAINING and below in a smaller font & VBS3, where VBS3 is highlighted in orange color. The text promotes military gaming for training purposes.

Virtual Terrain

The VSR runs off the Army’s games-for-training platform, Virtual Battlespace 3 (VBS3). Only current license holders with a CAC enabled computer can operate VBS3. New download authorizations are not available due to contract restrictions with the software manufacturer. Use this link to access the Army’s Milgaming site to learn more about VBS3.

For authorized VBS3 users, use the link below to access the scenario files and detailed instructions on how to load them into the game engine. Milgaming link.

VBS3 Files

A painting of Omaha Beach showing wartime debris, equipment on the shore, and fortifications, with a cloudy sky above, titled Omaha Beachhead from a World War II campaign series.

Preliminary Study Materials

These materials help prepare staff ride participants for their virtual visit to the campaign area. The readings are from the Center of Military History publications 100-11, Omaha Beachhead, and 7-4-1, Cross Channel Attack.

Download the Fact Sheet

Download the Read Ahead
Guidance

Black and white historical photo of Allied landing craft approaching Normandy Beach with troops inside during World War II, viewed from another craft's ramp.

Field Phase and Materials

These resources are for the staff ride facilitator or instructor. The notes are the materials the instructor uses to tie the terrain, the historical narrative, and the visual aids together. The visual aids help keep the participants oriented to the virtual terrain and to the historical context of the operation.

Download the Instructor Notes

Download the Visual Aids

Pointe du Hoc

 

This module of the Normandy invasion VSR studies the actions of the Ranger Group at Pointe du Hoc, 6-8 June 1944, in its mission to seize the German guns that could range both UTAH and OMAHA beaches. This study focuses on the effort to seize and hold the position, as well as the actions of the relief force.

The image features text in large white font on a black background stating MILGAMING SUPPORTING GAMES FOR TRAINING and below in a smaller font & VBS3, where VBS3 is highlighted in orange color. The text promotes military gaming for training purposes.

Virtual Terrain

The VSR runs off the Army’s games-for-training platform, Virtual Battlespace 3 (VBS3). Only current license holders with a CAC enabled computer can operate VBS3. New download authorizations are not available due to contract restrictions with the software manufacturer. Use this link to access the Army’s Milgaming site to learn more about VBS3.

For authorized VBS3 users, use the link below to access the scenario files and detailed instructions on how to load them into the game engine. Milgaming link.

VBS3 Files

The image is a black and white cover of a historical military document titled Small Unit Actions featuring patches with stars and the text RAN part of a larger word, indicating rank or an acronym.

Preliminary Study Materials

These materials help prepare staff ride participants for their virtual visit to the campaign area. The reading is primarily from the Center of Military History publication 100-14, Small Unit Actions.

Download the Fact Sheet

Download the Read Ahead
Guidance

The image depicts World War II soldiers in helmets and combat gear climbing over a dirt mound, possibly during a battle or maneuver, with various military equipment visible on the ground.

Field Phase and Materials

These resources are for the staff ride facilitator or instructor. The notes are the materials the instructor uses to tie the terrain, the historical narrative, and the visual aids together. The visual aids help keep the participants oriented to the virtual terrain and to the historical context of the operation.

Download the Instructor Notes

Download the Visual Aids

Battle of Carentan

 

This module of the Normandy invasion VSR studies the Battle of Carentan as the First Army sought to seize the important city of Carentan to join the UTAH and OMAHA beachheads into a single lodgment. The VSR examines the 101st Abn Div attack to capture the city from the heavily reinforced German 6th Parachute Regiment. The staff ride then studies the German counterattack to recapture the city against the division reinforced with elements of the 2d Armored Division.

The image features text in large white font on a black background stating MILGAMING SUPPORTING GAMES FOR TRAINING and below in a smaller font & VBS3, where VBS3 is highlighted in orange color. The text promotes military gaming for training purposes.

Virtual Terrain

The VSR runs off the Army’s games-for-training platform, Virtual Battlespace 3 (VBS3). Only current license holders with a CAC enabled computer can operate VBS3. New download authorizations are not available due to contract restrictions with the software manufacturer. Use this link to access the Army’s Milgaming site to learn more about VBS3.

For authorized VBS3 users, use the link below to access the scenario files and detailed instructions on how to load them into the game engine. Milgaming link.

VBS3 Files

The image shows a watercolor painting of a World War II scene with the title Utah Beach to Cherbourg at the top. It depicts soldiers landing on a beach with vehicles and ships in the background, under a cloudy sky. The bottom overlay text reads World War II 50th Anniversary Commemorative Edition.

Preliminary Study Materials

These materials help prepare staff ride participants for their virtual visit to the campaign area. The reading consists primarily of excerpts from Center of Military History publication 100-12, Utah Beach to Cherbourg, and CMH Pub 7-4-1, Cross-Channel Attack.

Download the Fact Sheet

Download the Read Ahead
Guidance

Download Role Playing Packets

The image shows a scene of destruction in a town during World War II, with buildings heavily damaged and smoke rising in the background. Soldiers and a military vehicle are visible on a street littered with debris.

Field Phase and Materials

These resources are for the staff ride facilitator or instructor. The notes are the materials the instructor uses to tie the terrain, the historical narrative, and the visual aids together. The visual aids help keep the participants oriented to the virtual terrain and to the historical context of the operation.

Download the Instructor Notes

Download the Visual Aids

Sustaining the Lodgment

 

This module of the Normandy invasion VSR studies how the Allies planned to sustain the lodgment in Northwest Europe once achieved. The study centers on the organization, plans, and actions to create artificial harbors along the Normandy coast and how supplies were shipped, received, and moved forward. The module further examines the evacuation of casualties back to the United Kingdom.

The image features text in large white font on a black background stating MILGAMING SUPPORTING GAMES FOR TRAINING and below in a smaller font & VBS3, where VBS3 is highlighted in orange color. The text promotes military gaming for training purposes.

Virtual Terrain

The VSR runs off the Army’s games-for-training platform, Virtual Battlespace 3 (VBS3). Only current license holders with a CAC enabled computer can operate VBS3. New download authorizations are not available due to contract restrictions with the software manufacturer. Use this link to access the Army’s Milgaming site to learn more about VBS3.

For authorized VBS3 users, use the link below to access the scenario files and detailed instructions on how to load them into the game engine. Milgaming link.

VBS3 Files

The image depicts a book cover titled Logistical Support of the Armies, Volume I May 1941–September 1944. It features a painting of a railroad bridge with a train and construction activity, indicative of military infrastructure during World War II.

Preliminary Study Materials

These materials help prepare staff ride participants for their virtual visit to the campaign area. The readings are from multiple Center of Military History publications.

Coming Soon
The image shows an aerial view of a historical D-Day landing site, with numerous ships and landing craft near a coastline, indicative of the massive scale of the Allied invasion during World War II.

Field Phase and Materials

These resources are for the staff ride facilitator or instructor. The notes are the materials the instructor uses to tie the terrain, the historical narrative, and the visual aids together. The visual aids help keep the participants oriented to the virtual terrain and to the historical context of the operation.

Download the Instructor Notes

Download the Visual Aids