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There are those who start war, and those who have war thrust upon them. The outcome of war is well-documented, but the nuanced beginnings are often forgotten. The stage is set for dramatic new history, set immediately before the first strike. EDGE OF WAR is a documentary series that explores the personalities, words and actions of those that take their countries to battle. These stories of larger-than-life individuals are based on historic accounts and newly uncovered information. Academics, historians and those caught in battle testify to the complex political, military and personal reasons for the deadliest action.
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Episode 1
Tue, Apr 3, 201245 mins
"EDGE OF WAR: Hitler's False Flag" is the story of Adolf Hitler's rise to power in Germany and the events that start World War II. A failed coup attempt and a stretch in prison give Adolf Hitler time to think. He emerges from jail determined to take total power. Using deception, manipulation and personal force of will, he takes his belief in manifest destiny to a receptive German people. His message is Lebensraum - living space - for Germans. Elected to power, he creates a military and propaganda machine never before seen, and puts into action a plan for retrieving German land lost in World War I. Tensions in Europe run high over German demands, yet Hitler charms British PM Neville Chamberlain into believing there can be peace. When Hitler backs out of his non-aggression pact, Chamberlain backs Polish leader Edward Smigly-Rydz - promising that Britain will defend Poland in case of unprovoked attack. Now Hitler needs a reason - a justification - for war against Poland. He turns to Nazi intelligence chief Reinhard Heydrich, who enlists SS recruits to pretend they are Polish soldiers. And one final essential ingredient: victims - who won't be missed - will be gunned down and left as evidence of the Polish attack. On August 31, 1939, the operation goes ahead and "Polish" attacks on German sites are reported worldwide. It is among the first 'false flag' operations in history, and Hitler now begins his quest: Blitzkrieg on Poland.