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The World at War (1973–1974)
ENGLISH SPOKEN
WITHOUT SUBTITLE
TV Series (26)
Ratings: 9,3/10
A series of accurate documentaries about World War II.
(1973) Episode List
A New Germany: 1933-1939
S1, Ep1
Oct. 31, 1973
A New Germany: 1933-1939
Program chronicles the draconian measures taken by
Adolf Hitler to become absolute dictator of Germany
and begin his domination of Europe.
Distant War: September 1939-May 1940
S1, Ep2
Nov. 7, 1973
Distant War: September 1939-May 1940
France and England enter World War 2 following
Germany's invasion of Poland. But with the exception
of its navy England is rather uncertain how to prepare.
After a failed operation in Norway lead by Churchill,
Chamberlain is, ironically,
replaced as Prime Minister by Churchill.
France Falls: May-June 1940
S1, Ep3
Nov. 14, 1973
France Falls: May-June 1940
As their forces invade Northern Europe German strategists
capitalize time and again on French preconceptions
confounding French defenses.
Alone: May 1940-May 1941
S1, Ep4
Nov. 21, 1973
Alone: May 1940-May 1941
Following the defeat and retreat at Dunkirk,
Britain desperately works to rearm and prepare their defenses.
But Germany was not well prepared to press
their offensive and invade.
After losing the Battle of Britain Germany
begins bombing British cities.
The British launch an offensive in North Africa hoping
to distract the Germans attention from the British Isles.
Barbarossa: June-December 1941
S1, Ep5
Nov. 28, 1973
Barbarossa: June-December 1941
Following the conquest of France Hitler, almost casually
by blitzkrieg standards, turn his eyes toward Russia.
But Stalin is equally lackadaisical in preparing defenses
against Germany.
The German invasion rapidly reaches the gates of Moscow
where it is stopped cold by the onset of winter then
crushed by the Russian counterattack.
Banzai! Japan: 1931-1942
S1, Ep6
Dec. 5, 1973
Banzai! Japan: 1931-1942
Following Japan's conquest of eastern Asia the Allies
finally respond with sanctions.
They prove so threatening to Japan that it prepares
to conquer Southeast Asia to secure the resources it needs.
But first the threat from the British and
American Pacific fleets must be eliminated.
On Our Way: U.S.A. - 1939-1942
S1, Ep7
Dec. 12, 1973
On Our Way: U.S.A. - 1939-1942
Although those in the know figured it was just a matter of time,
the United States only reluctantly participated in World War 2.
But it was not a foregone conclusion that the United States
would side against both Germany and Japan.
Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor precipitated a quick decision.
But in Germany's case a long series of mutual provocations,
some intended, some not, gradually
turned the United States against Germany.
The Desert: North Africa - 1940-1943
S1, Ep8
Dec. 19, 1973
The Desert: North Africa - 1940-1943
In 1940 Mussolini deploys a massive army to invade
British held Egypt, to capture the Suez Canal and most
of all to establish an Italian empire to rival Germany's.
So begins a multi-year campaign over a meaningless stretch
of desert involving forces from a dozen nations and
characterized by persistent attackers, stubborn defenders
and ultimately controlled by supply line challenges.
(1974) Episode List
Stalingrad: June 1942-February 1943
S1, Ep9
Jan. 2, 1974
Stalingrad: June 1942-February 1943
Germany is dealt a crushing defeat when the Russians'
stubborn defense of Stalingrad delays the German offensive
giving the Russians time to mass their forces for a
counter attack that surrounds then destroys the
German Sixth Army and its supporting forces.
Wolf Pack: U-Boats in the Atlantic - 1939-1944
S1, Ep10
Jan. 9, 1974
Wolf Pack: U-Boats in the Atlantic - 1939-1944
For three years German u-boats ravage transatlantic convoys.
Despite the critical need for the supplies and materiel
British leadership give scant attention to the matter
for two years. Finally in 1943 the allies begin introducing
new tactics and weapons while Germany
continues to focus on the numbers game.
Red Star: The Soviet Union - 1941-1943
S1, Ep11
Jan. 16, 1974
Red Star: The Soviet Union - 1941-1943
Bent on fulfilling Hilter's policy of colonizing Russia,
German forces invade subjecting inhabitants of occupied
lands to servitude or death. Russians respond with a
mass evacuation and scorched earth policy,
reestablishing their industrial capacity far to the east.
After German forces fail to break Lenigrade or to capture
Kursk and the surrounding Russian forces Russia goes on
the offensive with its military production at full capacity.
Whirlwind: Bombing Germany - September 1939-April 1944
S1, Ep12
Jan. 23, 1974
Whirlwind: Bombing Germany - September 1939-April 1944
While the British continue to rely on night bombing the
American forces attempt to use more dangerous but more
precise daylight bombing to interdict German military
production and crush the national will.
Tough Old Gut: Italy - November 1942-June 1944
S1, Ep13
Jan. 30, 1974
Tough Old Gut: Italy - November 1942-June 1944
After driving the Germans from North Africa the Allies
turn their sites on Italy. But the Italian campaign
turned out to be tougher the anyone expected.
American reluctance to divert resources from the
planned Normandy invasion, geographic challenges and
German reinforcements hinders the Allied campaign
hich continued until the eve of the Normandy invasion.
It's a Lovely Day Tomorrow: Burma - 1942-1944
S1, Ep14
Feb. 6, 1974
It's a Lovely Day Tomorrow: Burma - 1942-1944
Allied forces were totally unprepared for the
Japanese invasion of Burma in 1942. The Japanese
quickly overran the country. Allied counter
attacked using troops unfamiliar with jungle
warfare which were unsuccessful against the
Japanese guerrilla forces. But the Allies
persisted and gradually adapted to the jungle environment.
As additional forces arrived the Allies succeeded
in destroying the Japanese forces.
Home Fires: Britain - 1940-1944
S1, Ep15
Feb. 13, 1974
Home Fires: Britain - 1940-1944
The war effort required total commitment from British
citizens stretching their bodies and spirits to the
breaking point and occasionally beyond it.
As a result of grim news early in the war,
German bombing of British cities and disagreements
on critical policies Churchill faced a no confidence vote.
But extraordinary measures gradually put the
kingdom on an effective war footing.
Inside the Reich: Germany - 1940-1944
S1, Ep16
Feb. 20, 1974
Inside the Reich: Germany - 1940-1944
Germany is jubilant after the surrender of France.
Then the unsuccessful expansion of the war to include
Russia and England gradually turns German morale from
joy to fatalism. Even der Führer falls victim to the
insidious fatalism caused first by the crushing defeat
at Stalingrad then the bunker bombing that nearly
killed him. All the while the tightening Nazi grip
and Allied assaults adds to the gloom of fear.
Morning: June-August 1944
S1, Ep17
Feb. 27, 1974
Morning: June-August 1944
Four years after France fell the Allies invade Normandy.
Caught by surprise the German defenses are quickly overcome.
Heading inland the Allies win major
victories against fierce resistance.
Occupation: Holland - 1940-1944
S1, Ep18
Mar. 13, 1974
Occupation: Holland - 1940-1944
The Dutch are shocked when the Germans bomb Rotterdam
and invade their neutral country. But Germany follows
with insidious conciliatory gestures that ease tensions.
Germany gradually exploits the populace with conscriptions,
forced labor and deportation of Jewish citizens.
Finally anticipating liberation as the Allies move westward,
Dutch suffering intensifies.
As the German propagandists had claimed, liberation
brought devastation, not from warfare but from a brutal
German embargo and intensified deportations.
Pincers: August 1944-March 1945
S1, Ep19
Mar. 20, 1974
Pincers: August 1944-March 1945
As the Allies debate how to prosecute the the invasion of Germany,
Hitler settles the question with a massive counter
attack in the Ardenne. Failure of the attack leaves
German defenses of the Western Front in shambles.
Meanwhile, Russian forces are also closing in but
Stalin orders a pause so the SS can crush the Polish resistance.
Genocide: 1941-1945
S1, Ep20
Mar. 27, 1974
Genocide: 1941-1945
The history of the Nazi persecution of the Jews,
showing events leading to the "Final Solution".
Footage and Interviews with SS officers and Jewish
survivors from various countries describe how the
extermination camps operated and what existence was like there.
Nemesis: Germany - February-May 1945
S1, Ep21
Apr. 3, 1974
Nemesis: Germany - February-May 1945
The closing weeks of the European war bring retribution for
Germany in the form of carpet bombing cities like Dresden,
the collapse of the Whermacht, atrocities by Soviet forces,
and finally the fall of Berlin and suicide of Hitler.
Japan: 1941-1945
S1, Ep22
Apr. 10, 1974
Japan: 1941-1945
After the victories in 1941-2, Japanese fortunes reverse
as America succeeds in destroying their aircraft fleet and
Pacific island bases. At home, shortages of goods and manpower
lead to desperation for the population.
Pacific: February 1942-July 1945
S1, Ep23
Apr. 17, 1974
Pacific: February 1942-July 1945
The island hopping strategy of Admiral Nimitz and
General MacArthur leads from one costly, battle after another.
The Japanese fight fanatically as the war gets ever closer
to home, but Americans finally use their newest weapon, the A-bomb.
The Bomb: February-September 1945
S1, Ep24
Apr. 24, 1974
The Bomb: February-September 1945
Following the events from the death of US President Roosevelt
through to the dropping of the two bombs on Hiroshima and
Nagasaki that prompted Japan's surrender.
Reckoning: 1945... and After
S1, Ep25
May 1, 1974
Reckoning: 1945... and After
As wretched survivours suffer deprivations amongst the ruins,
half of Germany and eastern Europe trade one socialist tyranny
for another as the Soviets take power.
Japan is occupied by the U. S., but the colonial empires disintegrate.
Remember
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