World War II

1939-1945. World War II was a global war that involved many of the world's countries. Two opposing military alliances were formed: the Allies and the Axis. While Japan was already at war with China in 1937,  the Second World War began on September 1, 1939 when Nazi Germany invaded Poland. Germany conquered much of Europe, eventually forming the Axis alliance with Italy and Japan. Approximately six million European Jews were killed by Adolf Hitler's Nazi Germany and this event would become known as the Holocaust.
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Return To Normandy | South Carolinians In WW II
Episode 1

Video

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...
A New Front, Part 8
Episode 8

Video

After the victory in Italy, the next large-scale campaign would be “Operation Overlord”: a massive allied mobilization by the Americans and the British, to drive the Germans out of France. American...
A New Front, Part 6
Episode 6

Video

With the majority of men off fighting the war overseas, women on the home-front had to step up to take on jobs that men would usually do. Most war machines and weapons, such as tanks, airplanes, and...
A New Front, Part 5
Episode 5

Video

Also known as the Battle of Anzio, Operation Shingle was an allied amphibious campaign, under command of Lieutenant General Mark W. Clark, and Major General John P. Lucas. S.C. veterans remember the...
A New Front, Part 4
Episode 4

Video

With the number of casualties growing in the Italian campaign, the demand for doctors, nurses, and combat medics increased. Several veterans discuss their experiences enlisting, and what life and...
A New Front, Part 3
Episode 3

Video

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 New Front, Part 2
Episode 2

Video

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 New Front, Part 1
Episode 1

Video

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...