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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Liberation, Part 2
Episode 2

Video

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...
A Path to Victory, Part 5
Episode 5

Video

The Allies were finishing up the liberation of France and they were hoping the war would be over by the end of the year. Montgomery was the Allied commander of that section and he was looking for a...
A Path to Victory, Part 6
Episode 6

Video

Veterans discuss how they spent their time off while serving during World War II. *** Teachers, this video contains references to behavior that may not be suitable for students. Please view before...
Liberation, Part 1
Episode 1

Video

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...
A Path to Victory, Part 2
Episode 2

Video

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 Path to Victory, Part 3
Episode 3

Video

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 Path to Victory, Part 4
Episode 4

Video

A first-hand account of Auschwitz is provided by Lou Fowler. "The Germans were absolutely obsessed with killing people. It was a killing machine."
A Path to Victory, Part 1
Episode 1

Video

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...
Vanishing Generation, Part 10
Episode 10

Video

The single most important event in world history in the 20th century occurred more than sixty years ago, and we have lost many of our ties to that past. Preserving the history of World War II has...
Vanishing Generation, Part 9
Episode 9

Video

Veterans of World War II reflect on whether they should be considered heroes or not. One says he happened to be over there, and he volunteered to go to Hawaii, but they didn't know the war would come...