Dateline: World War II

This first episode covers Hitler's New Germany after his rise to power as Chancellor in 1933 and his rearmament of the German military and his rise to dictator. Britain's Prime Minister Chamberlain's attempt to stave off war in Europe through diplomatic means through the 1930's. It also includes Japan's invasion of China in 1937 and the Hitler & Stalin non-aggression pact that allowed Hitler to initially wage a one front war in Europe.

Hitler unleashes blitzkrieg with paratroops, massive air armadas and fast moving armored and mechanized divisions in Western Europe through the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg and invades France. The British Expeditionary Force is pushed to the sea at Dunkirk while the Germany army sweeps through France in six weeks. 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 and with Britain and France who have holdings throughout East Asia. In North Africa British forces duel in the desert against Erwin Rommel, the Desert Fox, and his Afrika Corps who have come to take over the North African campaign from Mussolini's stalled forces. Hitler unleashes a blitzkrieg in Eastern Europe opening up a two front war in Europe. The United States, still neutral, begins to arm the Allies, especially Britain through 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 invade 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 retreat 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 Nazis 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 as a prelude to invading Java, a linchpin 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 a crucial and decisive naval battle and 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. Military historian John Keegan called it "the most stunning and decisive blow in the history of naval warfare."FDR and Churchill meet in Casablanca to discuss overall war strategy. In North Africa Rommel takes the key city of Tobruk. Admiral Nimitz profiled.

Churchill visits North Africa and Moscow. The Luftwaffe pounds the British on Malta, and Rommel is defeated at El Alamein.

After victories at Coral Sea and Midway the Allies take to the offense in the Pacific with U.S. Marines landing on Guadalcanal in August 1942. With the eventual victory at Guadalcanal, the strategic initiative passed to the Allies for the remainder of the Pacific war. In Europe the Russians stop the Germans at Stalingrad and turn the tide of war. The Battle of Stalingrad was one of the bloodiest battles in history, with combined military and civilian casualties of nearly 2 million. The Canadian Raid on Dieppe in France became the textbook for 'what not to do' and laid the framework for the Normandy landings. Profiling Mussolini's rise to power.

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.

First 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 in North Africa as part of the German controlled Vichy regime in France is assassinated. British and U.S. Air Forces begin concentrated bombing of German submarine pens. On the home front, U.S. recycles rubber at home 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.

The Battle of Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands was the first American offensive in the critical central Pacific region. U.S. forces took the island but the casualties in the few days of fighting were similar to the losses in the six month Guadalcanal campaign. The battle is often referred to as 'Bloody Tarawa'. In Italy British General Montgomery's forces on the move. Eisenhower named to command Overlord, the Normandy invasion.