South Carolinians in WW II

General - Military History, World War II

This video series contains graphic descriptions of war as experienced by the WWII veterans and others who had direct, first-hand experiences in the conflict. Their accounts are based on events they participated in or witnessed, and reflect the real brutal nature of the events to which they were exposed.  Produced by SCETV and The State Newspaper.

Teachers are encouraged to preview the videos before showing them to students.

 

Title:
A New Front, Part 1 1
A New Front, Part 1
Episode 1

Video

Grades: 9 10 11 12 Higher Education

To prepare for the allied invasion of France, American troops boarded ships headed for Great Britain. Many soldiers feared that they would not survive the trip to England, because of the German U...
A Path to Victory, Part 1 1
A Path to Victory, Part 1
Episode 1

Video

Grades: 9 10 11 12 Higher Education

This segment begins with reflections of the Parisians playing "Dixie" on the Champs-Élysées, and a band marching, and a reference to "high cotton." These are some of the memories that have lived on...
A Time to Fight, Part 1 1
A Time to Fight, Part 1
Episode 1

Video

Grades: 5 8 9 10 11 12 Higher Education

This episode follows our veterans from their childhoods to the attack on Pearl Harbor and following through to the first battles of the war in North Africa, Italy and Sicily. Additional sections...
A World War, Part 1 1
A World War, Part 1
Episode 1

Video

Grades: 5 8 9 10 11 12 Higher Education

German soldiers were surrendering so fast, they just would surrender a whole unit and we couldn't handle them all. The British Broadcasting Company (BBC) was announcing "Today in Europe, the war is...
Liberation, Part 1 1
Liberation, Part 1
Episode 1

Video

Grades: 9 10 11 12 Higher Education

This segment features remembrances of prison camps and describes Hitler's "Mein Kampf," and the plan to annihilate the Jewish people. Those interviewed provide their remembrances of what occurred. The...
Return To Normandy | South Carolinians In WW II 1
Return To Normandy | South Carolinians In WW II
Episode 1

Video

Grades: 5 8 9 10 11 12

To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Normandy, many veterans make the journey to France to remember the battle that took place. For the remaining veterans still alive, this...
The Island War, Part 1 1
The Island War, Part 1
Episode 1

Video

Grades: 5 9 10 11 12 Higher Education

Veterans recall the brutality of war with the Japanese, their allegiance to their emperor, the tropical heat, the jungle, the danger of the rocky reefs, and the threat of malaria, for which they took...
The Rising Sun, Part 1 1
The Rising Sun, Part 1
Episode 1

Video

Grades: 5 8

This segment includes the Marine Corps Hymn, reflections on the attraction that the Marine Corps has for young people who want to serve, and memories of some individuals who made the decision to sign...
The Way Home, Part 1 1
The Way Home, Part 1
Episode 1

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Higher Education

This segment focuses on the racial discrimination that existed during World War II and how it affected those who served their country. The military was segregated. There were African Americans from...
A New Front, Part 2 2
A New Front, Part 2
Episode 2

Video

Grades: 9 10 11 12 Higher Education

Lou Fowler, a gunner on a B-24 Liberator bomber, recalls bailing out from his aircraft, which had suffered heavy damage from German anti-aircraft fire. After landing, he is captured by a German patrol...
A Path to Victory, Part 2 2
A Path to Victory, Part 2
Episode 2

Video

Grades: 9 10 11 12 Higher Education

The Hedgerows were unanticipated and required a new type of warfare. They were quite entangled and provided lots of cover, and made the terrain difficult to maneuver. No one could see what they were...
A World War, Part 2 2
A World War, Part 2
Episode 2

Video

Grades: 5 8 9 10 11 12

"The American soldiers arrived, and the tanks came in and ran over those big, high fences like they were matchboxes." Veterans provide their remembrances of the end of the war in Europe and the...
Liberation, Part 2 2
Liberation, Part 2
Episode 2

Video

Grades: 9 10 11 12 Higher Education

Veterans share their recollections of the Battle of the Bulge and the siege of Bastogne. It was the cold winter in 50 years, and they were not dressed for the cold. The sky was blackened with shells...
The Island War, Part 2 2
The Island War, Part 2
Episode 2

Video

Grades: 9 10 11 12 Higher Education

Women discuss serving in the WAVES, the SPARS, the WACS, the WAFS, and the WASPS. All the services needed women during this period. Our women veterans remember many of the details of their service...
The Rising Sun, Part 2 2
The Rising Sun, Part 2
Episode 2

Video

Grades: 9 10 11 12 Higher Education

The segment includes reflections on training at Parris Island.
The Way Home, Part 2 2
The Way Home, Part 2
Episode 2

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Higher Education

With its navy destroyed, the Japanese have come to recognize that their last line of defense is through suicide attacks on American ships. From the American ships, the kamikazes looked like a swarm of...
A New Front, Part 3 3
A New Front, Part 3
Episode 3

Video

Grades: 9 10 11 12 Higher Education

Veterans of the 82nd Airborne, along with the Army’s 504th Regiment, recall their experiences fighting in the mountains of Italy. The terrain and the weather made the fight against the Germans all...
A Path to Victory, Part 3 3
A Path to Victory, Part 3
Episode 3

Video

Grades: 9 10 11 12 Higher Education

Veterans reflect on General Patton, from the way he required his men to dress to the way he so directly addressed his men right up front, saying, "Some who sailed over here are not going back home."...
A World War, Part 3 3
A World War, Part 3
Episode 3

Video

Grades: 9 10 11 12 Higher Education

Japan needed resources and could only get them from other countries. The United States continued to try to prevent this. Japan sent an envoy to try to negotiate some sort of compromise, but the...
Liberation, Part 3 3
Liberation, Part 3
Episode 3

Video

Grades: 9 10 11 12 Higher Education

Veterans reflect on being captured and taken prisoner or killed by the Germans. It was bitter cold, but the Americans knew better than to complain. There was never any food and there was nothing to...
The Island War, Part 3 3
The Island War, Part 3
Episode 3

Video

Grades: 9 10 11 12

Veterans recall Leyte Island in the Philippines and describe their experiences there in detail. They also provide reflections on the starving Philippine children, as well as adults, and they recall...
The Rising Sun, Part 3 3
The Rising Sun, Part 3
Episode 3

Video

Grades: 9 10 11 12 Higher Education

Veterans remember arriving after the attack on Pearl Harbor and seeing how devastating the losses to the United States Navy were. They didn't realize that well over 2,000 people had been killed...
The Way Home, Part 3 3
The Way Home, Part 3
Episode 3

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Higher Education

Okinawa was the final Japanese island before the mainland. It would be the largest amphibious invasion in history. The Americans had to control the air and the water. The orders came that the...