Behind Enemy Lines: The Frogmen of World War II

• Introduction
• Learners
• Standards
• Process
• Resources


• Student Page

by Jorie Quinn

This WebQuest focuses on the frogmen of World War II. During the WebQuest, the students will be required to work in teams to design and present a monument to Congress that will commemorate the effort of these brave men during World War II. This WebQuest is for high school students studying World War II.

Teacher Introduction

During World War II there were many unsung groups that led the way for the men and women who followed. One of these groups, known as the frogmen, performed advanced reconnaissance on beaches, set underwater demolition for the enemy, cleared underwater obstacles set by the enemy, and led offensive attacks on enemy ships. The names of these frogmen or Underwater Demolition Teams (UDTs) are shrouded in mystery, protected by the Navy itself.

This lesson will delve into the mystery surrounding this secret group. Referencing the Internet, literature, and the local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), students will seek to unravel the mystery of this highly trained and rarely mentioned group of men. The lesson will try to put faces to the names of the men who served as frogmen in hopes that their names do not disappear from the history books forever. As a final project, students will work in groups to create a memorial dedicated to this unique group of men.