World War II - Recap

This is a recap on the documentaries about World War II for November!  Next month is year in review, top ten lists and fun documentaries that do not quite fit in a class curriculum. 

Stealth Sub - YouTube (51:07)
In the English Channel off the Isle of Wright, 80 feet beneath the surface there is the wreck of the submarine.  Although the English Channel was a busy area during World War II, there was no known submarine sinking in English History.  The official history of the area shows that there were no submarine patrols.  So why is this submarine there?  What happened to it?  The Deep Wreck Mystery crew is on the case.  *HIGHLY Recommended for both a science and history class.*

Pearl Harbor and the Pacific - YouTube (50:16)
On December 7, 1941, the Japanese launched a ruthless surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.  The attack caught America off guard and would bring the United States into World War II.  The US Public was caught off guard by the attack and they want answers.  This attack is just a forewarning of what is to come when the Japanese continue their ruthless attacks in the Pacific. *NOT Recommended for a history class.*

D-Day - YouTube (53:54)
It was the early morning of December 6, 1944, and a group of ships were making their way for the beaches of Normandy.  Many of these men did not know where they were going.  On the French shore, nobody expected the invasion.  It would have been an immense gable that could have cost the soldiers thousands of lives.  What happened to prepare for D-Day behind the scenes?  Who made what decisions?  Who were the secret agents involved with the D-Day invasion?  This documentary examines the unknown facts and stories behind the D-Day invasion.  *Recommended for a history class.*

The Outbreak of World War II - The First Victim (48:17)  The First Day (48:12)
Poland fell under the Nazi Blitzkrieg which would start World War II.  This attack would last for six weeks.  However, its consequences for Poland would be devastating.  Poland would endure the harshest conditions under the Nazi regime.  The governor of Poland Hans Frank would have the power of life and death over the Polish people.  He would rule Poland with brutality and would eventually come to justice for his crimes.  *Highly recommended for a history class.*

Nazi Secrets - YouTube (46:53)
Hitler unleashed some of the most terrifying weapons on the sea.  These weapons were lost to sea.  Imagine if you were draining the seas to learn more about these weapons.  This episode looks at several different wrecks.  How close did Hitler come to building an atomic bomb?  Was the pride of Australia sunk by a German secret weapon?  How did the Nazis invent a nearly invisible sub?  Using the latest in technology these wrecks are scanned and examined to learn more about those Nazi secrets. *Highly recommended for a history class.*

Hunt for U-479 - YouTube (55:50)
There are 50,000 shipwrecks in the Baltic Sea.  It has unique environmental conditions that help preserve the shipwrecks.  It is considered a treasure trove of history.  During World War II, the Soviets and the Nazis were fighting for control of the Baltic Sea.  The biggest disaster took place in the Baltic Sea.  The Wilhelm Gustloff was sunk in the sea and took 9,000 souls.  A dive team is assembled to tell this story among others from World War II.  *Not recommended for a history class or for research purposes.*

Leningrad - YouTube (49:51)
Hitler decided to invade Russia and by 1941, Leningrad was completely surrounded.  Hitler expected that the invasion would be quick and that the Russians would surrender quickly.  However that was not what would happen.  The Germans would lay siege to the city for 872 days.  One and a half million people would die from starvation or from the German artillery bombardment.  It was one of the costliest sieges in history.  *Not recommended for a history class or for research purposes.*

Screaming Eagles - YouTube (53:58)
The Screaming Eagles were an integral part of the allied strategy during World War II.  They were the ones who would parachute into enemy territory and take down targets before the main army arrived.  Their training forged them together into a tight-knit fighting force.  These soldiers were the first soldiers to land in Normandy and would have a huge impact on turning the war into the Allies favor.  *HIGHLY recommended for both a history class as well as for research purposes.*

Red Devils - YouTube (50:30)
It was a unit known as the Red Devils.   The First Airborne was an elite fighting force in World War II.  There was a similar unit in the German military that inspired its creation.  These were paratroopers for the British military.  They were known to be physically fit and were going to be an elite regiment.  The First Airborne would become one of the bravest units of World War II.  *HIGHLY recommended for both a history class, independent study students as well as for research purposes.*