Dateline World War II

This first episode covers Hitler's New Germany after his rise to power; Britain’s Prime Minister Chamberlain’s attempt to stave off war. It also includes Japan’s invasion of China and the Hitler and Stalin deal.

Hitler unleashes blitzkrieg in Western Europe through the Low Countries and invades France. The RAF frustrates the Germans by keeping control of the skies and Hitler stops plan for invasion of Britain. America begins to rebuild its military even though not yet in the war.

Tensions rise in the Pacific between the Japanese and the United States, Britain and France. In North Africa British forces duel in the desert against Erwin Rommel, the Desert Fox, and his Afrika Corps. Hitler unleashes a blitzkrieg in Eastern Europe. The United States, still neutral, begins to arm the Allies using the Lend Lease program.

Japan draws the United States into the war with attack on Pearl Harbor. Philippines, Guam, Wake Island and the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong also attacked  and Japanese’s forces invaded Thailand and Malaysia. In Eastern Europe, the Russians launch a massive counter-attack against the Germans.

Rommel’s forces retreat in North Africa. German Army puts Leningrad under siege that would last until early 1944. The British Colonies in Asia fall to the Japanese. A look at the U.S. fighter planes in service at the outbreak of war. With the United States now engaged a look at the World at War.

U.S. troops in the Philippines retreats to Bataan. On the home front, America gears up for global war. The Afrika Corps reverses retreat and catches the Allies unprepared in new fighting in North Africa. A look at the U.S. pilots fighting the air war in China.

Singapore, the major British military base in Southeast Asia and the keystone defense position for the region and the Southwest Pacific falls to the Japanese. It is the largest surrender of British military personnel in history. The Nazi’s prepare their Final Solution for the Jews in Europe.

General MacArthur pledges ‘I Shall Return’ to the Philippine people. Action in the China-Burma-India war theater. The Battle of Java Sea in early 1942 was naval engagement won by the Japanese against allied naval forces a s a prelude to invading Java, a lynchpin in the region for the Allied forces. A look at life in the Army in the U.S.

Japanese capture British stronghold Mandalay in Burma and begin occupation that lasts until March 1945. In the Pacific, the Allies split the command into two main areas of operation: The Central Pacific under command of Admiral Chester Nimitz and the Southwest Pacific area commanded by General Douglas MacArthur. The military-industrial complex builds and the Propaganda Wars escalate.

U.S. Bombers trike Tokyo in April 1942. President Roosevelt, when asked, where did the bombers come from, famously said from our secret base ‘Shangri La’. In the Philippines the Japanese finish the conquest with the fall of Bataan and Corregidor. Great Britain and Russia forge an alliance in their fight against Germany. Tensions mount in North Africa with both sides preparing for major actions.

The Battle of the Coral Sea in the Pacific in May 1942 was the first major action with aircraft carriers engaging each other. The battle was a strategic victory for the Allies forestalling the Japanese invasion of New Guinea. The Japanese invade the Aleutian Islands as part of their complex plan for the invasion of Midway Island. Profiling Nazi leaders Goebbels, Goering and Himmler.

The Battle of Midway in June 1942 was the turning point in the Pacific war. It was a massive victory for the U.S. The Japanese losses were devastating and they would not be able to mount a major offensive carrier attack for the balance of the war. FDR and Churchill meet in Casablanca to discuss overall war strategy. In North Africa Rommel takes the key city of Tobruk. Admiral Nimitz profiled

The Nazi’s push toward Stalingrad in Russia and in the Mediterranean launch attacks on Malta, the British linchpin for interdicting the supply convoys to Rommel in North Africa. Rommel’s push toward Egypt to take Cairo and the Suez Canal stopped by the British 8th Army at El Alamein, a major turning point in the desert campaign in World War II

The Nazi’s push toward Stalingrad in Russia and in the Mediterranean launch attacks on Malta, the British linchpin for interdicting the supply convoys to Rommel in North Africa. Rommel’s push toward Egypt to take Cairo and the Suez Canal stopped by the British 8th Army at El Alamein, a major turning point in the desert campaign in World War II.

Battle of Bloody Ridge on Guadalcanal. Rommel returns to Germany from North Africa. Allies battle German U-Boat Wolfpacks attacking convoys in the Atlantic. Allied send material aid to Russians. Preparations continue for Operation Torch, the North Africa invasion.

Marines halt Japanese Guadalcanal offensive to retake Henderson Field. Major victory in North Africa as British 8th Army scores huge victory over Afrika Corps in Battle of El Alamein. Allies invade Morocco and Algeria forcing a two front war on the Africa Korps. Profile: Medicine Men: Doctors In The Jungle.

U.S. Navy turns the tide off Guadalcanal ending stalemate. The Vichy French government surrenders to the Allies in North Africa. Germans trapped in Stalingrad by Red Army. The U.S. becomes the arsenal of democracy.

Allies fight to hold New Guinea against Japanese forces. Red Army tightens the trap of German forces in Stalingrad. The miracle of Pearl Harbor: Battleships shattered in December 1941 attack salvaged, refloated, repaired and many re-enter active service. Liberty Ships ? cargo ships ? production goes into high gear in the U.S.

1st Marine Division relieved by Army forces on Guadalcanal after months of brutal fighting. In North Africa, Admiral Darlan, Commander-in-Chief of the French armed forces and High Commissioner is assassinated. British and U.S. Air Forces begin concentrated bombing of German submarine pens. On the home front, Americans recycle rubber to support war effort.

The German grip in Russia broken at Stalingrad and Leningrad. In North Africa British forces take Tripoli. Japan’s Hollow Army: After Midway with the Allies naval forces on the offensive, Japan’s troops in the South Pacific began to feel the effects of dwindling supplies. New technology: Radar scans the horizon.

Final victory at Guadalcanal in February 1943 transitions Allies in the Pacific from defense to a posture of strategic offense. In Burma Britain’s Indian Brigade begins guerilla operations against Japanese forces. American forces defeated by Germans in first encounter at Kasserine Pass in North Africa. German Army counterattacks after Stalingrad loss halts Red Army advance.

Allies inflict major defeat on Japanese trying to reinforce New Guinea at battle of Bismarck Sea. British bombing campaign against Germany targets Nazi industrial base. In North Africa, Patton takes over American forces. Russian Air Force getting upper hand against Luftwaffe. American troops train for jungle warfare.

U.S. forces under Patton defeat German tank units at battle of El Guettar in Tunisia. In the Pacific Admiral Yamamoto, commander of the Combined Fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy, was killed in an air attack that shot down his plane. RAF continues heavy bombing of German industry. The Luftwaffe fights to retake the skies. A look at aircraft Nose Art.

The Battle of Hill 609 in Tunisia is a key victory for American forces. British fool Germans with Operation Mincemeat convincing German High Command Allies next target is Greece, not Sicily. In the Atlantic, Allies push U-Boats to the brink with Nazi subs retreating from the North Atlantic. A look at life aboard an aircraft carrier.

U.S. forces retake Attu in the Aleutians, the only land battle between the Japanese and U.S. forces fought in Arctic conditions. Axis forces retreat from North Africa in May 1943. Allies plan invasion of Sicily as next campaign. In the South Pacific, American forces invade New Georgia in the Solomon Islands.