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...
World War II in Colour
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.
Overview
World War II In Colour is a 13-episode television documentary miniseries recounting the events of World War II narrated by Robert Powell. The show covers the Western Front, Eastern Front, and the Pacific War. It is on syndication in America on the Military Channel. This series is in full color, combining both original and colorized footage.
Episodes
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.
S01E03 Britain at Bay
In July 1940, Britain stood alone against the Nazis. Hitler had more troops, abetter air force and the better weapons. Britain came extremely close to defeat, as its exhausted air force struggled to fight off...
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...
S01E05 Red Sun Rampant
December 7th 1941 is “a date that will live in infamy”proclaimed President Franklin Roosevelt. That was the day that Japan entered World War II, with its surprise attack upon theU.S. Fleet in Pearl Harbor. Japan...
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...
S01E07 Turning the Tide
Nazi submarines tried to cut supply lines across the Atlantic, while the Allies fire-bombed German cities.
S01E08 The Soviet Steamroller
By July 1943, the full extent of Hitler’s failed gamble in the East had become clear. After failing to deliver knock-out blows at Stalingrad and Moscow, his army was now at the mercy of the...
S01E09 Overlord
How close did D-Day come to failure? Despite meticulous planning, deception plans and specialised equipment, its success was always balanced on a knife-edge.
S01E10 Closing the Ring
The Battle of the Bulge saw Hitler take his last great gamble, throwing his reserve forces against the oncoming Allies in the Ardennes.
S01E11 The Island War
The war in the Pacific against Japan was a savage, hand-to-hand, island-to-island struggle, fought by new specialist fighting units like the valiant Chindits.
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.
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.
Cast
Robert Powell
Narrator
Adolf Hitler
Self (archive footage)
Winston Churchill
Self (archive footage)
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Self (archive footage)
Joseph Stalin
Self (archive footage)
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Self (archive footage)
Erwin Rommel
Self (archive footage)
Chester W. Nimitz
Self (archive footage)
Douglas MacArthur
Self (archive footage)
Benito Mussolini
Self (archive footage)
Georgi Zhukov
Self (archive footage)
