The World At War - all 26 episodes +

[mr peabody]

The World At War - 01. A New Germany (1933–1939)



The rebirth of Germany and growth in power of the Nazi Party leading up to the outbreak of war.

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 Czechoslovakia.

 

[mr peabody]

The World At War - 02. Distant War (September 1939 – May 1940)



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. The invasions of Poland, the Winter War, the sinking of the Graf Spee, the "phony war" and failure in Norway and the elevation of Winston Churchill to Prime Minister. Interviewees include Lord Boothby, Lord Butler, Admiral Charles Woodhouse, Sir Martin Lindsay and Sir John "Jock" Colville.

 

[F.U.B.A.R.]

Man, this is one of the best documentary series ever made. I remember watching it as a kid and even at the tender age of 9 it had a huge impact on me. The theme tune was haunting. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone that hasn't seen it.

 

[sdxyln]

BBC made one on WWI called the Great War and the theme of it near the end does full justice to the terrors of war.

 

[mr peabody]

The World At War - 03. France Falls (May – June 1940)



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.

 

[mr peabody]

The World At War - 04. Alone in Britain (May 1940 – May 1941)



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.

 

[mr peabody]

The World At War - 05. 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.

 

[mr peabody]

The World At War - 06. 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.

 

[CFC]

This really is a great series and still mostly accurate, though a few facts (eg technologies developed, especially espionage) were still not known about publicly and secret at the time it was produced (early 70s).

 

[yubacity]

B est documentary on the war started my love affair with history the only class i would ace in High school . Was only a kid when first saw it and can still binge watch it the narration was so good

 

[yubacity]

There is a Russian documentary as well can't remember the name it is translated talks about the war in the east which also a great doc

 

[mr peabody]

The World At War - 07. 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.

 

[mr peabody]

The World At War - 08. 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.

 

[sdxyln]

I watch it at times to drown out tinnitus. Lol!

 

[mr peabody]

The World At War - 09. 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.

 

[mr peabody]

The World At War - 10. Wolf Pack: U-Boats in the Atlantic



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.

 

[mr peabody]

The World At War - 11. Red Star: The Soviet Union (1941–1943)



The rise of the Red Army, mobilization of Soviet production, the Siege of Leningrad, the Soviet partisans and the Battle of Kursk.

 

[mr peabody]

The World At War - 12. 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.

 

[sdxyln]

There is a Russian documentary as well can't remember the name it is translated talks about the war in the east which also a great doc

Try and remember the name for me, if you can.

 

[mr peabody]

The World at War - 13. Tough Old Gut: Italy (November 1942 – June 1944)



The difficult Italian Campaign beginning with Operation Torch in North Africa, the invasion of Sicily; Salerno, Anzio, Cassino; and the capture of Rome.