World War II in Colour

S01E01

The Gathering Storm

Just years after World War I, Germany and other nations are in an economic depression. Leader approval ratings of Germany, Italy, Japan and Spain are shallow, giving the rise to military dictators along with their parties. Years after Adolf Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany, he and his generals plot the invasion of Poland.

S01E13

Victory in the Pacific

With Germany beaten, the Allies turned their attention to Japan, who made them pay for every inch of gained ground.

S01E04

Hitler Strikes East

When Hitler expounded his intention to invade Russia his generals looked at him in horrified silence. The Soviet Union was vast and had matchless resources. Hitler’s whole plan depended upon striking a swift and decisive knock-out blow. A long, drawn-out war would ensure a loss for Germany. Hitler was certain his forces could do it since no country had yet defeated them, but here had never been a military gamble like this. This episode covers Stalingrad and the battle of Kursk, the biggest tank battle in all history.

S01E02

Lightning War

The German Blitzkrieg allowed them to overrun both Poland and France within weeks. See how this radical military tactic caught the Allies totally unprepared.

S01E12

Victory in Europe

Allied forces converge on Germany, uncovering the horrors of Bergen-Belsen and Buchenwald, before pushing towards Berlin, where Hitler clings to power in his last desperate days.

S01E06

The Mediterranean and North Africa

Mussolini’s ambition had always been to recreate the old Roman Empire. The trouble was, he was a disaster militarily. After failed attacks in North Africa and Greece, his armies were on the run. Hitler now faced a difficult choice. Did he divert troops needed at other fronts to support his ally, ordid he let Mussolini fall? Hitler chose to support him —a decision that would spell disaster for both of them. Hitler would lose hundreds of thousands of troops and Mussolini would lose his life. This episode tells the extraordinary story of the war in North Africa and features the heroics of the tiny island of Malta as it withstood wave after wave of Nazi assault. It ends with the Allies fighting their way up Italy and Germany in retreat.

S01E13

Victory in the Pacific

S01E12

Victory in Europe

S01E11

The Island War

S01E10

Closing the Ring

S01E09

Overlord

S01E08

The Soviet Steamroller