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The World at War Season 1 Episodes
Season 1 Episode Guide
26 Episodes 1973 - 1974
Episode 1
A New Germany: 1933-1939
Wed, Oct 31, 197352 mins
In 1933 Hitler becomes chancellor of Germany. He immediately starts transforming the country into what he calls The New Germany. In March the parliament decides to allow Hitler to govern without the parliament, thus becoming a legal dictator. The Nazis begin persecuting journalists, socialists and Jews, and many intellectuals flee the country. A turning point is 30 June 1934, when Hitler and his body guard, SS, start murdering also opponents and rivals within the Nazi party. Between his appearances Hitler rests at Berchtesgarden in Bavaria, where his mistress, Eva Braun, documents his private life on film. The Treaty of Versailles from 1919 had demilitarized Germany, but step by step Hitler militarizes the country again. His troops also start recapturing the surrounding German-speaking provinces and countries: Saarland 1935, Rhineland 1936, Austria 1938 and Sudetenland 1938. They don't make a halt here, but capture also the rest of Czechia. In the beginning of 1939 they threaten to invade Poland. In August England promises to fight if Poland is attacked. This is counteracted by the Germans, when their foreign minister Ribbentrop on 23 August flies to Moscow, where he concludes a Nazi-Soviet-pact.
Episode 2
Distant War: September 1939-May 1940
52 mins
France and Great Britain enter World War 2 following Germany's invasion of Poland. But with the exception of its navy Britain is rather uncertain how to prepare. After a failed operation in Norway lead by Churchill, Chamberlain is, ironically, replaced as Prime Minister by Churchill.
Episode 3
France Falls: May-June 1940
53 mins
In 1934 France starts building a sophisticated bulwark along the German border called the Maginot Line. It is a network of armed forts, connected by a narrow-gauge, underground railway. At the northern end of the Maginot Line lies the Ardennes, high mountains covered with dense forests. This area is perceived by the French generals as impenetrable, so they haven't much forces located there. 10 May 1940 the German army starts its offensive by invading Holland, and then Belgium. The French generals send 40 of their best divisions into Belgium. The Germans take the opportunity to move through the weakest point in the Maginot Line further south. With their tanks they penetrate the impenetrable Ardennes. They build a bridge across the river Meuse, and soon the German tanks, followed by the infantry, are in France. The German blitzkrieg shocks the French. Holland surrenders on 14 May, Brussels falls three days later. French citizens start leaving Paris and other cities. 12 million refugees are out on the roads of Northern France. On 10 June the French government leaves Paris, and some days later they sign an armistice with Germany.
Episode 4
Alone: May 1940-May 1941
52 mins
In the end of May 1940, when the last French cities are captured by the Germans, half a million British and French soldiers retreat to the last channel port still open to them: Dunkerque. The following days Great Britain carries out the biggest evacuation in history. 330.000 French and British soldiers are picked up by boats and brought over the channel to England. German aircrafts start bombing English airfields, but the Royal Air Force wins this part of the battle of Britain. Göring orders his Luftwaffe to bomb London instead. During 76 successive nights German aircrafts bomb London and other cities by night. 40.000 people are killed, half of them in London. Suddenly Germany changes focus, and attacks Eastern Europe instead. The British strategy is now to fight its way through the Middle East and Balkan towards Germany. They quickly conquer the Italian Army in North Africa, but the Germans stop their attempt to make a breakthrough via Greece and Yugoslavia. In May 1941 German and its allies control most of continental Europe.
Episode 5
Barbarossa: June-December 1941
53 mins
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.
Episode 6
Banzai! Japan 1931-1942
52 mins
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.
Episode 7
On Our Way: U.S.A. 1939-1942
53 mins
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.
Episode 8
The Desert: North Africa - 1940-1943
53 mins
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.
Episode 9
Stalingrad: June 1942-February 1943
52 mins
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.
Episode 10
Wolf Pack: U-Boats in the Atlantic - 1939-1944
52 mins
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.
Episode 11
Red Star: The Soviet Union - 1941-1943
53 mins
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.
Episode 12
Whirlwind: Bombing Germany - September 1939-April 1944
53 mins
The development of British and American strategic bombing.
Episode 13
Tough Old Gut: Italy - November 1942-June 1944
51 mins
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 which continued until the eve of the Normandy invasion.
Episode 14
It's a Lovely Day Tomorrow: Burma - 1942-1944
53 mins
Allied forces were totally unprepared for the Japanese invasion of Burma in 1942. The Japanese quickly overran the country. The Allies 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.
Episode 15
Home Fires: Britain - 1940-1944
53 mins
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.
Episode 16
Inside the Reich: Germany - 1940-1944
53 mins
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.
Episode 17
Morning: June-August 1944
52 mins
Operation Overlord--starting with the failed Dieppe Raid--followed by battles in the Bocage, the Allied breakout, and Falaise.
Episode 18
Occupation: Holland - 1940-1944
53 mins
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.
Episode 19
Pincers: August 1944-March 1945
53 mins
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.
Episode 20
Genocide: 1941-1945
53 mins
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.
Episode 21
Nemesis: Germany - February-May 1945
53 mins
The invasion of Germany by the Allies, the bombing of Dresden, and the events in the Führerbunker during the Battle of Berlin.
Episode 22
Japan: 1941-1945
51 mins
Japanese society during wartime. How life transformed as the country suffered defeats, including the Doolittle raid, Midway, the death of Isoroku Yamamoto, the Battle of Saipan, Okinawa, and the relentless bombing of Japanese cities.
Episode 23
Pacific: February 1942-July 1945
51 mins
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.
Episode 24
The Bomb: February-September 1945
53 mins
The atomic bomb, the ascendancy of President Harry Truman, growing splits among the Allies with Joseph Stalin, the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the Soviet invasion of Manchuria, leading to the surrender of Japan.
Episode 25
Reckoning: 1945... and after
52 mins
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.
Episode 26
Remember
50 mins
For many the Second World War was the most significant experience of their lives. These are heartbreaking first hand remembrances from a vast array of survivors from both sides of the war.
