1
00:00:13,390 --> 00:00:15,902
The Allies have landed in Italy,
2
00:00:15,902 --> 00:00:18,080
which is occupied by the Germans.
3
00:00:24,355 --> 00:00:26,615
where Mussolini is still in control,
4
00:00:26,615 --> 00:00:29,855
the American, British, Canadian and French armies
5
00:00:29,855 --> 00:00:34,418
are held up by the solid German defense belt
along the Gustav line,
6
00:00:34,418 --> 00:00:36,595
in the area of Monte Cassino.
7
00:00:38,749 --> 00:00:40,303
Perched on top of the mountain
8
00:00:40,303 --> 00:00:43,309
is historical St Benedict's monastery.
9
00:00:43,302 --> 00:00:49,435
The Allies think that the Germans have turned
this 1.400 year old monument into a lookout post.
10
00:00:58,765 --> 00:01:05,267
More than 200 allied bombers will drop
over 500 tons of bombs on the monastery.
11
00:01:05,805 --> 00:01:09,021
In Word War 2, nothing is sacred.
12
00:01:09,022 --> 00:01:12,043
It turns everything into an inferno.
13
00:01:16,395 --> 00:01:20,697
World War II
The Apocalypse
14
00:01:24,947 --> 00:01:28,267
Episode 6 (final episode):
Retreat and Surrender
15
00:01:39,312 --> 00:01:39,904
March 15, 1944
16
00:01:39,905 --> 00:01:42,254
March 15, 1944
The Allies launch their attack.
17
00:01:42,255 --> 00:01:44,720
But the German paratroopers push them back.
18
00:01:46,510 --> 00:01:51,013
The German shock troops are now firmly
entrenched in the ruined monastery.
19
00:01:55,182 --> 00:01:57,693
Nothing was achieved by the bombing.
20
00:02:02,472 --> 00:02:07,642
These scenes were filmed by the American director
John Houston who was sent to this front in Italy.
21
00:02:08,672 --> 00:02:10,084
He would later say:
22
00:02:10,084 --> 00:02:13,435
It was a massacre in the freezing cold
23
00:02:18,961 --> 00:02:24,267
And yet Churchill had called Italy
"the soft underbelly" of Europe.
24
00:02:24,898 --> 00:02:27,265
By moving in from the South via Italy,
25
00:02:27,265 --> 00:02:30,896
Churchill's aim was to take Berlin
before the Russians could.
26
00:02:31,635 --> 00:02:35,372
The Red Army continues to advance
steadily from the East.
27
00:02:35,492 --> 00:02:37,545
Kiev is liberated.
28
00:02:37,545 --> 00:02:40,829
The German Wehrmacht army pulls out of the Ukraine,
29
00:02:40,830 --> 00:02:44,735
obeying Hitler's orders to
systematically destroy everything.
30
00:02:44,735 --> 00:02:47,896
Ukraine
31
00:03:01,168 --> 00:03:05,800
In Italy, several months later, the
Wehrmacht is still holding the Gustav line...
32
00:03:05,801 --> 00:03:07,669
and Monte Cassino.
33
00:03:08,291 --> 00:03:11,805
The French General Juin proposes to
surprise the Germans,
34
00:03:11,806 --> 00:03:15,722
who have left those slopes,
thought to be too steep, undefended.
35
00:03:17,514 --> 00:03:20,896
The rugged soldiers of the North African
and Polish regiments however,
36
00:03:20,896 --> 00:03:27,144
managed to climb up the mountain
and put the allies on the road to Rome.
37
00:03:37,230 --> 00:03:38,192
Rome
June 5, 1944
38
00:03:38,193 --> 00:03:40,267
Rome
June 5, 1944
As the Wehrmacht retreats,
39
00:03:42,437 --> 00:03:46,338
it once again leaves a path
of destruction behind it.
40
00:03:48,438 --> 00:03:51,104
But, together with Mussolini
and his remaining fascists,
41
00:03:51,104 --> 00:03:55,650
the Germans will retain control of
northern Italy and its industries.
42
00:03:56,384 --> 00:03:59,827
They are the target of attacks
by Italian partisans,
43
00:03:59,827 --> 00:04:03,038
and they retaliate with
indiscriminate violence.
44
00:04:10,039 --> 00:04:11,889
Great Britain
June 5, 1944
At the same time in southern England
45
00:04:11,889 --> 00:04:13,907
Great Britain
June 5, 1944
the allied war machine assembled
for the Normandy landings,
46
00:04:13,907 --> 00:04:15,347
the allied war machine assembled
for the Normandy landings,
47
00:04:15,348 --> 00:04:16,348
is gearing up.
48
00:04:19,197 --> 00:04:23,286
On the evening of the 5th of June,
the paratroopers get ready to leave...
49
00:04:23,286 --> 00:04:26,752
decked out in their Indian
style war paint and haircut
50
00:04:26,752 --> 00:04:29,267
to make themselves feel brave.
51
00:04:29,801 --> 00:04:30,316
The supreme commander of the allied forces,
General Eisenhower, comes to tell them:
52
00:04:30,316 --> 00:04:34,140
Dwight D. Eisenhower
The supreme commander of the allied forces,
General Eisenhower, comes to tell them:
53
00:04:34,327 --> 00:04:38,192
"You are about to embark
upon the great crusade!"
54
00:04:39,857 --> 00:04:42,319
The plan is to land on 5 beaches,
55
00:04:42,319 --> 00:04:45,533
along a 100 km stretch
on the Normandy coast,
56
00:04:45,533 --> 00:04:48,848
from the Seine to the
Contentin peninsula,
57
00:04:48,848 --> 00:04:52,816
where the German Atlantic war
defences are the weakest.
58
00:04:53,272 --> 00:04:55,017
At midnight on June the 5th,
59
00:04:55,018 --> 00:05:00,383
British gliders and Dakotas full of British,
American and Canadian paratroopers,
60
00:05:00,384 --> 00:05:03,833
slip silently in land
over the Normady region.
61
00:05:09,242 --> 00:05:13,189
The paratroopers were the first
to set foot in occupied France.
62
00:05:13,636 --> 00:05:17,840
Their mission, to secure the
flanks of the landing zone.
63
00:05:24,978 --> 00:05:27,621
The allied fleet is on its way.
64
00:05:27,656 --> 00:05:30,173
It is the biggest armada
ever assembled.
65
00:05:30,297 --> 00:05:33,911
Nearly 5.000 landing ships
and assault craft.
66
00:05:33,990 --> 00:05:36,615
Yet it is not detected by the Germans,
67
00:05:36,616 --> 00:05:40,944
who are prevented from carrying out
reconnaissance flights by the stormy weather.
68
00:05:42,235 --> 00:05:45,687
Bombardment and shelling from
the battleships pound the coast,
69
00:05:45,687 --> 00:05:50,283
but completely miss their targets
on the beach codenamed "Omaha".
70
00:05:50,906 --> 00:05:53,558
The German bankers remain intact.
71
00:05:56,243 --> 00:05:59,811
June 6, 1944
72
00:05:59,812 --> 00:06:04,303
The first assault wave of American troops
is getting ready to tackle the German defences...
73
00:06:04,304 --> 00:06:06,352
on "Omaha" beach.
74
00:06:09,343 --> 00:06:11,951
Among them is American
writer Ernest Hemingway,
75
00:06:12,416 --> 00:06:15,202
who is a war correspondent.
He writes:
76
00:06:15,932 --> 00:06:19,159
As we moved in towards
land in the grey, early light,
77
00:06:19,214 --> 00:06:23,547
the coffin-shaped steel boats
took solid green sheets of water
78
00:06:23,547 --> 00:06:27,594
that fell on the helmeted heads of the troops,
packed shoulder to shoulder
79
00:06:27,595 --> 00:06:34,241
in a stiff, awkward, uncomfortable,
lonely companionship of men going to a battle.
80
00:06:44,341 --> 00:06:47,548
Omaha
Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer
81
00:06:59,584 --> 00:07:02,757
Another war reporter,
the photographer Robert Capper,
82
00:07:02,758 --> 00:07:05,816
is also caught up in this inferno.
He says:
83
00:07:06,055 --> 00:07:08,989
It was the ugliest beach
in the whole world.
84
00:07:08,990 --> 00:07:15,416
Exhausted from the water and the fear,
we lay flat on a small strip of wet sand.
85
00:07:15,489 --> 00:07:19,690
Over 2.000 American soldiers
will loose their lives here.
86
00:07:20,047 --> 00:07:21,982
As the tide rolls in,
the soldiers are trapped
87
00:07:21,982 --> 00:07:25,779
between the sea and gunfire
from the German blockhouses.
88
00:07:25,957 --> 00:07:29,690
Eisenhower had prepared a communique
in case the landing failed.
89
00:07:29,690 --> 00:07:31,582
In a hand-written letter,
he said:
90
00:07:31,642 --> 00:07:36,002
"My decision to attack at this place was
based on the best information available."
91
00:07:36,003 --> 00:07:38,531
"If there is any blame or fault
attached to the attempt...
92
00:07:38,532 --> 00:07:40,315
...it is mine alone."
93
00:07:40,703 --> 00:07:44,448
But a small group succeeds in
climbing up under enemy fire
94
00:07:44,449 --> 00:07:49,261
and neutralising the German cannons with
the help of the Royal Airforce's fighter bombers.
95
00:07:54,139 --> 00:07:55,910
Juno
Bernieres-sur-Mer
96
00:07:55,911 --> 00:07:57,113
Juno
Bernieres-sur-Mer
In the meantime the Canadian troops
have landed on Juno beach
97
00:07:57,113 --> 00:07:59,983
In the meantime the Canadian troops
have landed on Juno beach.
98
00:08:08,504 --> 00:08:11,029
There is indeed very little resistance,
99
00:08:11,029 --> 00:08:13,895
Gold
Arromanches
only a few shots that do not deter the British
100
00:08:13,895 --> 00:08:15,740
on the next beach along.
101
00:08:18,431 --> 00:08:21,319
The few German defenders
who survive the bombardments
102
00:08:21,320 --> 00:08:22,320
finally surrender.
103
00:08:27,559 --> 00:08:31,253
Sword
Ouistreham
British and French commandoes
land on the 5th beach.
104
00:08:37,190 --> 00:08:41,829
The allies plan to land 326.000 men,
105
00:08:41,829 --> 00:08:45,338
in just one week,
a daily average of 10.000 men,
106
00:08:45,338 --> 00:08:51,462
3.200 vehicles and 15.000 tons
of supplies are ferried across.
107
00:08:51,589 --> 00:08:54,256
In order to accomplish this
a harbor is needed,
108
00:08:54,390 --> 00:08:57,052
but the allies decided to
stay away from the big ports,
109
00:08:57,052 --> 00:08:58,630
which were too well defended
110
00:08:58,630 --> 00:09:01,317
and to land on the
beaches of Normandy.
111
00:09:01,667 --> 00:09:03,948
Instead they brought
their harbors with them.
112
00:09:03,948 --> 00:09:06,865
Gigantic construction kits
called "Mulberries".
113
00:09:06,865 --> 00:09:13,189
146 concrete caissons, 61 meters
long and weighing 6.000 tons
114
00:09:13,189 --> 00:09:16,094
were assembled to create
break waters and piers,
115
00:09:16,094 --> 00:09:20,209
where the "Liberty" ships as they
were called, could unload their cargo.
116
00:09:20,420 --> 00:09:24,537
American shipyards had turned out
one of these ships (Liberty) every day.
117
00:09:25,376 --> 00:09:26,785
In less than three years,
118
00:09:26,785 --> 00:09:30,664
the war industry had turned
the United States into a superpower.
119
00:09:30,665 --> 00:09:33,924
The country has mobilised
more than 11 milion men.
120
00:09:33,925 --> 00:09:38,884
Its armies are now in France,
Italy, North Africa and Asia.
121
00:09:39,605 --> 00:09:45,110
The power of the United States is such that just
a few days after the Normandy landings in Europe,
122
00:09:45,145 --> 00:09:48,841
it's able to assemble a second fleet
on the other side of the world,
123
00:09:48,841 --> 00:09:50,082
in the Pacific...
124
00:09:50,586 --> 00:09:56,074
...in order to attack the Mariana Islands
which are under Japanese control.
125
00:09:56,652 --> 00:09:59,636
Having taken the island of
Tarawa the year before,
126
00:09:59,636 --> 00:10:05,795
the Americans now want to use the island of Saipan,
as a base for bombers taking off at Japan
127
00:10:06,237 --> 00:10:12,498
Some 127.500 troops, 2/3 of
them marines, prepare for combat.
128
00:10:12,596 --> 00:10:18,033
15 aircraft carriers and 900 planes
will crush the Japanese airforce
129
00:10:18,033 --> 00:10:23,702
in an air battle which will come to be known
as the "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot".
130
00:10:42,121 --> 00:10:46,471
A fatal blow is also dealt to
the Japanese Imperial Navy.
131
00:10:54,027 --> 00:10:58,448
After which Japan's defences
in Saipan are battered.
132
00:10:59,022 --> 00:11:01,834
Saipan
133
00:11:01,835 --> 00:11:03,180
Saipan
But when the marines
land on this tiny island,
134
00:11:03,180 --> 00:11:04,517
But when the marines
land on this tiny island,
135
00:11:04,518 --> 00:11:06,964
which is only 9 km wide,
136
00:11:06,964 --> 00:11:10,477
one of the bloodiest battles
of the war begins.
137
00:11:38,017 --> 00:11:42,875
Over 15.000 Americans and
at least 27.000 Japanese,
138
00:11:42,875 --> 00:11:45,541
will be killed or wounded.
139
00:11:46,995 --> 00:11:51,027
A month and a half after D-Day
the fighting is still fierce.
140
00:11:51,448 --> 00:11:55,639
The Allies are advancing
but Eisenhower is worried.
141
00:11:56,459 --> 00:11:59,748
Hitler is determined to
contain the Allies in Normandy
142
00:11:59,748 --> 00:12:03,449
in order to protect the launch
ramps for his weapon of terror,
143
00:12:03,449 --> 00:12:08,017
the V-1, which he fires at
London from northern France.
144
00:12:09,855 --> 00:12:13,416
It is the first cruise missile
ever to be used.
145
00:12:15,919 --> 00:12:22,525
The V-1 is a flying bomb with a
pulse-jet engine and 1 ton explosive warhead.
146
00:12:22,825 --> 00:12:27,714
This small, swift, pilotless aircraft
is difficult to intercept and shoot down.
147
00:12:28,270 --> 00:12:28,610
London
148
00:12:28,611 --> 00:12:32,327
London
The British call them "buzz bombs"
because they make a motorcycle noise
149
00:12:32,328 --> 00:12:34,798
that alerts Londoners
to their arrival.
150
00:12:41,919 --> 00:12:44,718
By the time the V-1s
reach the capital city,
151
00:12:44,718 --> 00:12:49,286
their fuel is used up
and their engines die out.
152
00:12:49,321 --> 00:12:52,408
Londoners never know
where they will fall.
153
00:12:56,832 --> 00:13:01,658
Nearly 20.000 of these missiles were launched
against England and continental Europe,
154
00:13:01,658 --> 00:13:04,488
killing 11.000 people.
155
00:13:04,488 --> 00:13:05,920
But even under these conditions,
156
00:13:05,921 --> 00:13:09,071
the British retain their
pluck and their composure.
157
00:13:11,525 --> 00:13:15,028
If the V-1s fail to
demoralise the British,
158
00:13:15,029 --> 00:13:16,788
their purpose was also to
boost the morale of the Germans.
159
00:13:16,788 --> 00:13:18,703
Germany
their purpose was also to
boost the morale of the Germans.
160
00:13:18,703 --> 00:13:20,865
Germany
For years they have had to
live in underground shelters.
161
00:13:20,865 --> 00:13:22,510
For years they have had to
live in underground shelters.
162
00:13:30,905 --> 00:13:34,482
American bombers by day
and British bombers by night,
163
00:13:34,482 --> 00:13:39,269
demolish Germany's cities
under a carpet of bombs.
164
00:13:39,578 --> 00:13:43,554
American planes dropped
1.4 million tons of bombs.
165
00:13:43,555 --> 00:13:48,909
Allied bombing led to around
600.000 casualties, 7 million homeless.
166
00:13:49,316 --> 00:13:52,166
Such is the outcome of the
strategic bombing campaign,
167
00:13:52,167 --> 00:13:56,418
who's purpose is to destroy the
industrial and human potential,
168
00:13:56,597 --> 00:13:59,146
behind Germany's wartime effort.
169
00:14:03,147 --> 00:14:07,093
The Wolf's Lair
East Prussia
170
00:14:07,094 --> 00:14:09,316
In the Fuhrer's headquarters,
the Wolf's Lair,
171
00:14:09,316 --> 00:14:14,138
beneath the obligatory smiles many
of Hitler's officers are deeply troubled.
172
00:14:14,139 --> 00:14:18,571
Especially those from the old
Prussian military aristocracy.
173
00:14:25,644 --> 00:14:28,807
In the past year, many of
them have joined a plot
174
00:14:28,808 --> 00:14:30,132
to get rid of Hitler.
175
00:14:33,503 --> 00:14:36,962
One of these officers, Colonel
Count Claus von Stauffenberg,
176
00:14:36,962 --> 00:14:42,145
places a bomb under Hitler's desk
during a conference in the Wolf's Lair.
177
00:14:43,899 --> 00:14:46,739
July 20, 1944
178
00:14:46,740 --> 00:14:47,565
July 20, 1944
It is this heavy table
that saves Hitler.
179
00:14:47,566 --> 00:14:49,720
It is this heavy table
that saves Hitler.
180
00:14:49,721 --> 00:14:54,736
It deflects the blast that would eventually
kill 4 men and wound 20 others.
181
00:14:57,622 --> 00:15:00,618
Of the failed assassination
attempt, Hitler says:
182
00:15:00,876 --> 00:15:03,504
Having now escaped death
I am more than ever convinced
183
00:15:03,504 --> 00:15:07,683
that the great cause which I served
will be brought through its present perils
184
00:15:07,683 --> 00:15:10,811
and that everything can be
brought to a good end.
185
00:15:11,077 --> 00:15:13,490
Hitler is only slightly injured,
a bruised arm,
186
00:15:13,490 --> 00:15:16,137
his eardrums punctured,
his hair singed,
187
00:15:16,137 --> 00:15:18,398
but the incident deeply
traumatizes him,
188
00:15:18,455 --> 00:15:23,699
affecting his mental state,
intensified his cruelty and his paranoia.
189
00:15:24,544 --> 00:15:26,268
He unleashes his revenge.
190
00:15:26,540 --> 00:15:28,255
The main conspirators are tried,
191
00:15:28,255 --> 00:15:32,497
5.000 suspects arrested,
200 of them executed
192
00:15:32,497 --> 00:15:34,677
and their familes
deported.
193
00:15:34,712 --> 00:15:38,183
He has no second thoughts about
executing his marshals.
194
00:15:38,184 --> 00:15:40,968
Because he agreed to replace
Hitler at the head of the army,
195
00:15:40,968 --> 00:15:43,849
Rommel is forced to
commit suicide.
196
00:15:44,279 --> 00:15:47,687
Hitler hypocritically gives
him a state funeral.
197
00:15:48,810 --> 00:15:52,817
Henceforth, power is in
the hands of the SS.
198
00:15:52,817 --> 00:15:55,847
Nothing can save Germany now.
199
00:15:57,587 --> 00:16:00,738
The Russians continue
to advance in the East.
200
00:16:05,251 --> 00:16:10,020
The "Great Patriotic War" as they call it,
has taken a new turn for them.
201
00:16:10,632 --> 00:16:14,952
The Red Army is suddenly able to strike
with a force that amazes all sides.
202
00:16:15,184 --> 00:16:17,277
An endless supply of men,
203
00:16:17,277 --> 00:16:21,866
even after the extremely costly
battles of Moscow and Stalingrad.
204
00:16:24,377 --> 00:16:27,769
The offensive in Belarus
in the summer of 1944,
205
00:16:27,769 --> 00:16:31,315
is one of the biggest battles
of the 2nd World War.
206
00:16:31,680 --> 00:16:35,003
The eastern front
is 1.000 km wide
207
00:16:35,003 --> 00:16:39,661
but the Russians are able to push forward
hundreds of kilometers within 2 months,
208
00:16:39,696 --> 00:16:43,363
destroying 17 German
army divisions.
209
00:16:51,721 --> 00:16:54,482
The Wehrmacht retreats
towards East Prussia,
210
00:16:54,483 --> 00:16:57,694
leaving behind many
thousands of casualties.
211
00:16:57,894 --> 00:17:02,489
Some 50.000 captured Germans
would be paraded through Moscow.
212
00:17:04,684 --> 00:17:05,277
Normandy
August 6, 1944
213
00:17:05,277 --> 00:17:08,277
Normandy
August 6, 1944
In the west the Allies are gaining the upper hand.
214
00:17:14,942 --> 00:17:18,076
For the Wehrmacht, the
situation is deteriorating.
215
00:17:19,992 --> 00:17:24,210
50.000 German soldiers are taken
prisoner in the Falaise pocket,
216
00:17:24,210 --> 00:17:28,296
or as the Germans call it:
Stalingrad in Normandy.
217
00:17:30,711 --> 00:17:33,820
It is a much needed
victory for the Allies.
218
00:17:34,610 --> 00:17:38,037
The Allies tighten their noose
with a new landing in Provence.
219
00:17:38,828 --> 00:17:42,572
Saint Tropez
August 15, 1944
The reassembled French army
plays a major part in this landing.
220
00:17:47,534 --> 00:17:52,421
Africans, Moroccans, Algerians,
Tunisians, French colonials
221
00:17:52,421 --> 00:17:55,652
and young Frenchmen who are
part of the free French forces,
222
00:17:55,652 --> 00:17:57,969
aid the liberation
in Provence.
223
00:17:58,323 --> 00:18:02,951
It takes them just 2 weeks to liberate
the entire coast, up to Marseille.
224
00:18:02,951 --> 00:18:05,540
Marseille
225
00:18:10,621 --> 00:18:13,316
The resistance movement comes
out of the shadows
226
00:18:13,351 --> 00:18:17,648
and participates in the liberation,
as it would do in Paris.
227
00:18:17,956 --> 00:18:21,750
Paris
August 19, 1944
228
00:18:21,751 --> 00:18:23,112
Paris rises up.
229
00:18:23,535 --> 00:18:25,946
Barricades are erected
across the city.
230
00:18:30,660 --> 00:18:33,364
Most of the German army
has retreated to the east.
231
00:18:33,364 --> 00:18:35,703
But 20.000 men
remain behind,
232
00:18:35,704 --> 00:18:38,378
under the command of
General von Choltitz,
233
00:18:38,379 --> 00:18:41,497
who has reveived orders
from Hitler to destroy the city.
234
00:18:46,449 --> 00:18:48,983
Violent fighting breaks out.
235
00:19:00,264 --> 00:19:02,105
On the 4th day
of the insurrection,
236
00:19:02,106 --> 00:19:05,533
a French unit, General Leclerc's
Second Armoured Division,
237
00:19:05,659 --> 00:19:08,425
arrives from Normandy and
the capital is finally liberated,
238
00:19:08,426 --> 00:19:09,642
Leclerc
arrives from Normandy and
the capital is finally liberated,
239
00:19:09,643 --> 00:19:11,361
Leclerc
the next morning.
240
00:19:32,352 --> 00:19:34,034
The Germans surrender
241
00:19:34,034 --> 00:19:38,239
and General von Choltitz is taken to Leclerc's
headquarters in the Montparnasse train station.
242
00:19:38,240 --> 00:19:39,409
Choltitz
and General von Choltitz is taken to Leclerc's
headquarters in the Montparnasse train station.
243
00:19:39,410 --> 00:19:39,923
Choltitz
244
00:19:39,924 --> 00:19:43,032
Hitler has just called and asked
his famous question:
245
00:19:43,140 --> 00:19:45,034
"Brennt Paris?"
246
00:19:45,035 --> 00:19:46,965
"Is Paris burning?"
247
00:19:49,204 --> 00:19:51,299
Choltitz preferred to turn himself in.
248
00:19:51,300 --> 00:19:54,499
This highly disciplined officer
from the airborne regiment,
249
00:19:54,499 --> 00:19:58,721
disobeyed Hitler's order
to fight to the last man.
250
00:20:00,692 --> 00:20:05,371
Then De Gaulle arrives with
eloquent words for history:
251
00:20:06,336 --> 00:20:10,262
Paris has been offended,
Paris has been shattered,
252
00:20:10,602 --> 00:20:12,505
Paris has been tortured,
253
00:20:13,072 --> 00:20:16,349
but Paris has been liberated!
254
00:20:18,353 --> 00:20:24,070
While France and Belgium are progressively liberated
and the Red Army awaits outside Warsaw,
255
00:20:24,071 --> 00:20:27,750
on the other side of the globe,
the American General MacArthur
256
00:20:27,750 --> 00:20:30,400
is returning to the Philippines.
257
00:20:34,140 --> 00:20:38,587
After escaping from the Japanese
siege 3 years earlier, McArthur said:
258
00:20:38,809 --> 00:20:40,343
I shall return.
259
00:20:41,775 --> 00:20:43,035
His return is sumptuously staged
by his public relation staff.
260
00:20:43,036 --> 00:20:45,649
Philippines
October 20, 1944
His return is sumptuously staged
by his public relation staff.
261
00:20:45,650 --> 00:20:46,650
Philippines
October 20, 1944
complete with his legendary
"Popeye" corn cob pipe
262
00:20:46,651 --> 00:20:48,474
complete with his legendary
"Popeye" corn cob pipe
263
00:20:48,474 --> 00:20:49,144
Douglas MacArthur
264
00:20:49,144 --> 00:20:50,605
Douglas MacArthur
he proclaims:
265
00:20:50,605 --> 00:20:53,590
People of the Phillipines,
I have returned!
266
00:20:53,591 --> 00:20:56,238
The hour of your redemption is here!
267
00:21:03,570 --> 00:21:07,045
But it would take 4 months
to liberate the Phillipines.
268
00:21:07,322 --> 00:21:08,606
Manila, the capital,
269
00:21:08,607 --> 00:21:10,513
will be the second most
devastated city of the war,
270
00:21:10,514 --> 00:21:11,568
Manila
will be the second most
devastated city of the war,
271
00:21:11,569 --> 00:21:12,902
Manila
after Warsaw.
272
00:21:29,721 --> 00:21:32,442
The savagery and the
cruelty of these combats,
273
00:21:32,443 --> 00:21:35,339
can be explained by the
American troops discovery,
274
00:21:35,340 --> 00:21:37,810
of the mass execution
of hostages.
275
00:21:38,104 --> 00:21:43,138
And the camps with the surviving
U.S prisoners from 1941.
276
00:21:52,928 --> 00:21:57,481
Everywhere in the Pacific,
the war is marked with this type of savagery.
277
00:21:58,207 --> 00:22:03,830
Everywhere the same confusion of marines
trapped on the beaches of these infernal islands.
278
00:22:04,775 --> 00:22:08,909
The same suicidal obstinacy
of the Japanese.
279
00:22:08,910 --> 00:22:11,700
For them surrendering is
the ultimate disgrace.
280
00:22:12,000 --> 00:22:16,100
And if they do get captured, they
commit suicide with a grenade.
281
00:22:16,300 --> 00:22:20,600
Like this Japanese pilot, who was
shot down over the Philippine Sea.
282
00:22:20,900 --> 00:22:23,800
But whom the Americans
are trying the fish out.
283
00:22:24,450 --> 00:22:28,370
The Japanese pilot pulls the pin out
of a grenade with his teeth.
284
00:22:30,850 --> 00:22:33,900
He is finished off.
285
00:22:37,755 --> 00:22:39,899
The Americans are no longer
taking any risks.
286
00:22:40,330 --> 00:22:44,522
They follow the instinct to
shoot first and ask no questions.
287
00:22:51,000 --> 00:22:54,307
The hatred of man
is unleashed in war.
288
00:22:55,007 --> 00:23:00,525
Along with imperialism, another
underlying cause of WW2 is racism.
289
00:23:07,000 --> 00:23:10,926
Racism gave birth to Auschwitz,
the killing factory.
290
00:23:11,226 --> 00:23:14,751
liberated by the Russian
offensive of January 1945.
291
00:23:20,251 --> 00:23:27,570
Hatred of the Jews, exterminating them
was as Hitler wrote in Mein Kampf, his mission.
292
00:23:27,619 --> 00:23:32,167
He sent 1 million Jews to their death
in the gas chambers of Auschwitz.
293
00:23:33,198 --> 00:23:37,528
Six million died of starvation,
brutal treatment, were shot,
294
00:23:37,528 --> 00:23:43,335
and burned in the crematoriums
in Majdanak, in Sobibor, in Treblinka.
295
00:23:47,603 --> 00:23:53,135
The Russians find a few hundred survivors,
tattooed for life.
296
00:23:58,040 --> 00:24:02,276
They also intercept the trains
full of deportees.
297
00:24:09,238 --> 00:24:12,848
The Nazis continue to give priority
to these death trains,
298
00:24:12,849 --> 00:24:15,593
even over the munitions convoys.
299
00:24:15,933 --> 00:24:19,925
They make their trips to the approximately
100 concentration camps,
300
00:24:19,926 --> 00:24:23,990
that are still operating
at the beginning of 1945.
301
00:24:25,062 --> 00:24:28,950
Millions of Jews, political
activists, opponents...
302
00:24:28,950 --> 00:24:34,817
christians, homosexuals, gypsies
have been deported to these camps
303
00:24:34,817 --> 00:24:40,276
and 5 million of them have died
of hunger, abuse and exhaustion.
304
00:24:40,534 --> 00:24:42,485
Like the slaves in
the Dora tunnel,
305
00:24:42,486 --> 00:24:46,692
the underground factory where the Nazis
are assembling another secret weapon,
306
00:24:46,693 --> 00:24:48,229
the V-2.
307
00:24:48,841 --> 00:24:50,826
The first ballistic missile
308
00:24:50,827 --> 00:24:55,715
with a one-ton explossive warhead,
that has a range of 300 kilometers.
309
00:24:56,326 --> 00:24:59,777
From the German coast 1.500 of them
are launched against London
310
00:24:59,777 --> 00:25:05,282
and 2.000 against Belgium adding to the
devastation and the civilian casualties.
311
00:25:05,283 --> 00:25:10,092
The Allies greatest fear is that it might
one day carry a nuclear charge.
312
00:25:12,410 --> 00:25:13,248
Los Alamos
New Mexico, USA
313
00:25:13,248 --> 00:25:15,647
Los Alamos
New Mexico, USA
The eminent scientist Einstein himself
314
00:25:15,647 --> 00:25:19,539
had warned Roosevelt about the urgency
of getting ahead of the Germans.
315
00:25:20,838 --> 00:25:25,000
Huge funds were provided and a team
of scientists secretly went to work...
316
00:25:25,001 --> 00:25:27,341
...on the first atomic bomb.
317
00:25:30,471 --> 00:25:35,108
A bomb that uses a metal, Uranium
that makes it possible to split the atom.
318
00:25:35,108 --> 00:25:39,398
It is expected to have the
power of 20.000 tons of TNT,
319
00:25:39,399 --> 00:25:43,302
more than 2.000 times more powerful
than the largest bomb used to date.
320
00:25:43,303 --> 00:25:46,793
In addition to lethal
radioactive fallout.
321
00:25:47,360 --> 00:25:50,562
The designated target was Berlin.
322
00:25:51,136 --> 00:25:55,602
But this first atomic bomb would
not be finished in time for Germany.
323
00:25:56,478 --> 00:25:59,076
In Germany, are there any
factories still standing
324
00:25:59,076 --> 00:26:01,903
that would be capable of
producing such a weapon?
325
00:26:02,225 --> 00:26:05,240
Even synthetic fuel
is becoming scarce.
326
00:26:05,383 --> 00:26:08,475
The carpet bombing, carried out
day and night by the Allies
327
00:26:08,475 --> 00:26:11,951
continues to devaste German cities.
328
00:26:20,477 --> 00:26:23,102
The Allied bombers will
destroy Dresden,
329
00:26:23,103 --> 00:26:26,957
an important center of communications
for the German armies on the eastern front.
330
00:26:27,263 --> 00:26:29,751
and one of the biggest
industrial cities in the Reich.
331
00:26:29,752 --> 00:26:30,568
Dresden
February 13, 1945
332
00:26:30,569 --> 00:26:33,459
Dresden
February 13, 1945
Until now, it has remained untouched.
333
00:26:34,422 --> 00:26:37,504
Dresden, known as the
"Florence of the Elbe"
334
00:26:37,505 --> 00:26:40,548
was one of Europe's
finest medieval cities.
335
00:26:43,478 --> 00:26:46,435
Phosphorous bombs
create a fire typhoon,
336
00:26:46,436 --> 00:26:50,926
in which an estimated 25.000 people
are burned to death.
337
00:26:51,755 --> 00:26:55,288
The city continues to blaze
for 7 days.
338
00:26:55,909 --> 00:26:57,323
Churchill had said:
339
00:26:57,614 --> 00:27:00,967
We will make the German people
taste and gulp a sharper dose
340
00:27:00,967 --> 00:27:04,017
of the miseries they have
showered upon mankind.
341
00:27:05,678 --> 00:27:08,680
Their cities are dying and now
Goebbels and the Nazis
342
00:27:08,680 --> 00:27:13,304
want to send all Germans from
16 to 60 years old to their deaths,
343
00:27:13,304 --> 00:27:16,785
as part of the Volkssturm,
the people's militia.
344
00:27:17,325 --> 00:27:18,200
They shout:
345
00:27:18,201 --> 00:27:21,211
I vow to fight courageously
for my homeland,
346
00:27:21,211 --> 00:27:24,403
swear to die
for Adolf Hitler.
347
00:27:26,719 --> 00:27:27,737
Hitler says:
348
00:27:27,738 --> 00:27:30,305
There must not be any
weakening of Germany.
349
00:27:30,680 --> 00:27:36,129
His generals, those who survive the massive purge,
following the July 20th assassination attempt,
350
00:27:36,130 --> 00:27:38,556
no logner dare to
oppose the Fuhrer.
351
00:27:39,333 --> 00:27:41,886
They obeyed his order,
which seemed obsured
352
00:27:41,887 --> 00:27:47,075
to launch an attack in the West
in the Ardenne during winter.
353
00:27:47,433 --> 00:27:51,506
They would have preferred to devote
all of their efforts to fighting the Russians.
354
00:27:52,940 --> 00:27:55,956
Hitler was hoping to recapture
the port of Antwerp
355
00:27:55,956 --> 00:27:59,047
in order to stop the Allies from
unloading their equipment,
356
00:27:59,048 --> 00:28:02,059
which would enable them
to move into Germany.
357
00:28:04,321 --> 00:28:07,697
Bastogne
Belgium
358
00:28:10,897 --> 00:28:13,804
But the German offensive
in the Ardenne, failed.
359
00:28:13,855 --> 00:28:18,661
Due to the extraordinary defense put up
by the American paratroopers in Bastogne,
360
00:28:18,661 --> 00:28:21,460
to the intervention of
General Patton's tanks
361
00:28:21,460 --> 00:28:25,617
and to the overwhelming
power of the Allied airforces.
362
00:28:33,537 --> 00:28:38,189
As for the Russians in the East,
they are crossing the German border.
363
00:28:38,732 --> 00:28:43,301
Millions of Germans flee in panic
from the approaching Soviet troops
364
00:28:43,302 --> 00:28:48,813
especially the German women who fear
the mass rapes that are being perpetrated.
365
00:28:55,661 --> 00:28:59,597
There is no dissention between
the western Allies and the Russians.
366
00:28:59,665 --> 00:29:03,832
Moreover, in Churchill's mind the problem
with Germany is practically over.
367
00:29:03,914 --> 00:29:07,939
He is now thinking about how
to divide up the occupation zones.
368
00:29:08,037 --> 00:29:13,037
He and Roosevelt meet in the Crimea
for an important conference with Stalin.
369
00:29:15,417 --> 00:29:19,725
Yalta, Russia
February 4, 1945
370
00:29:21,791 --> 00:29:25,286
Concerned about the increasing
losses being suffered in the Pacific,
371
00:29:25,287 --> 00:29:29,862
Roosevelt has come to press Stalin
to join the war effort against Japan.
372
00:29:33,492 --> 00:29:36,584
Stalin has made Roosevelt come
all the way out to the Crimea,
373
00:29:36,584 --> 00:29:40,218
which takes a toll on the
ailing president's health.
374
00:29:40,408 --> 00:29:45,880
He is drawn and emaciated, he barely has
the strength to hold out his arm.
375
00:29:52,728 --> 00:29:57,588
Roosevelt smokes cigarette after cigarette.
He is very frail.
376
00:29:57,685 --> 00:30:00,323
He will pass away a few
weeks later.
377
00:30:01,175 --> 00:30:03,451
His main priority is Japan.
378
00:30:03,452 --> 00:30:06,629
At the same time he does not have
the strength to oppose Stalin,
379
00:30:06,629 --> 00:30:09,710
who liberates but also
occupies the Baltic states,
380
00:30:09,711 --> 00:30:15,084
Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary,
Poland, Silesia and Prussia.
381
00:30:15,085 --> 00:30:18,511
And there is no way
to make him leave.
382
00:30:21,613 --> 00:30:25,592
The only one who tries to negotiate
is Churchill.
383
00:30:28,455 --> 00:30:32,570
Finally he gets Stalin to promise
to hold free elections in Poland,
384
00:30:32,570 --> 00:30:34,405
a promise that will never be kept
385
00:30:34,405 --> 00:30:38,654
and to give up Greece,
which will lead to civil war.
386
00:30:38,886 --> 00:30:45,247
The Greek communist partisans will rise up
and Stalin will let them be massacred.
387
00:30:45,248 --> 00:30:49,928
One of the goals of this conference is the
founding of the organisation of the United Nations,
388
00:30:49,929 --> 00:30:52,614
which would soon be
convened in San Francisco.
389
00:30:53,216 --> 00:30:57,182
The U.N.'s mission will be to seek
a peaceful settlement for all disputes
390
00:30:57,183 --> 00:30:59,432
and to protect human rights.
391
00:31:01,956 --> 00:31:05,888
This picture heralds the beggining
of the Cold War...
392
00:31:11,137 --> 00:31:13,682
The war in the Pacific,
continues.
393
00:31:13,961 --> 00:31:17,745
The marines raise the American flag
on top of Mount Suribachi,
394
00:31:17,746 --> 00:31:22,678
Iwo Jima
February 23, 1945
the volcano that dominates
the island of Iwo Jima.
395
00:31:27,679 --> 00:31:34,047
The battle took the lives of 7.000
Americans and 20.000 Japanese.
396
00:31:39,543 --> 00:31:43,395
It is now possible for the Boeing B29
"Super Fortress" bombers,
397
00:31:43,396 --> 00:31:46,276
taking off from Iwo Jima
and other islands in the Pacific
398
00:31:46,810 --> 00:31:48,384
to reach Japan.
399
00:31:49,205 --> 00:31:53,976
Humans have invented something even more
vicious than the phosphorus used in Dresden
400
00:31:53,977 --> 00:31:57,899
Napalm, gasoline mixed
with incendiary jelly.
401
00:31:57,900 --> 00:32:02,360
1.700 tons dropped on little houses
made of wood and paper.
402
00:32:02,360 --> 00:32:03,805
Tokyo
March 9, 1945
1.700 tons dropped on little houses
made of wood and paper.
403
00:32:03,806 --> 00:32:06,660
Tokyo
March 9, 1945
404
00:32:09,586 --> 00:32:13,192
The Japanese are victims
of their fanatical military leaders,
405
00:32:13,193 --> 00:32:17,327
who plunge them into this inferno
and who wanted to pursue the war.
406
00:32:17,328 --> 00:32:21,179
In spite of the 80.000 victims
and the 1 million homeless,
407
00:32:21,180 --> 00:32:23,798
from this air raid
over Tokyo.
408
00:32:32,800 --> 00:32:34,828
Berchtesgaden
409
00:32:34,829 --> 00:32:36,358
Berchtesgaden
410
00:32:36,359 --> 00:32:38,984
Hitler was at his chalet
in the Bavarian Alps,
411
00:32:38,985 --> 00:32:43,858
along with his dog "Blondie", of whom he
seemed to be fonder than any human being.
412
00:32:44,333 --> 00:32:44,859
He predicted:
413
00:32:45,819 --> 00:32:48,678
The next war will not end
like the 1st World War.
414
00:32:48,679 --> 00:32:51,248
There will be no
11th of November.
415
00:32:51,249 --> 00:32:54,800
It will be either victory
or annihilation.
416
00:32:58,421 --> 00:33:01,282
Perhaps this vertiginous feeling
of all or nothing,
417
00:33:01,283 --> 00:33:04,863
is what kept him from marrying
his mistress, Eva Braun.
418
00:33:04,863 --> 00:33:05,832
He said:
419
00:33:05,833 --> 00:33:08,632
I'm already married
to Germany.
420
00:33:10,750 --> 00:33:12,900
1945
His Germany is on
the verge of collapse.
421
00:33:13,704 --> 00:33:16,077
The Soviet forces have
surrounded Berlin.
422
00:33:17,053 --> 00:33:18,979
But Hitler refuses
to admin defeat.
423
00:33:18,980 --> 00:33:20,142
He says:
424
00:33:20,143 --> 00:33:22,769
It will be the opposite
of Stalingrad.
425
00:33:24,715 --> 00:33:26,618
Berlin
April 17, 1945
426
00:33:26,619 --> 00:33:29,693
Berlin
April 17, 1945
But his remaining soldiers,
overwhelmed by the Russian rocket launchers
427
00:33:29,694 --> 00:33:30,685
But his remaining soldiers,
overwhelmed by the Russian rocket launchers
428
00:33:30,686 --> 00:33:33,191
surrender one after the other.
429
00:33:49,281 --> 00:33:52,441
Beneath the ruins of the chancellory
in his underground bunker,
430
00:33:52,641 --> 00:33:56,499
Hitler rants and raves and
manoeveurs his imaginary armies.
431
00:33:57,284 --> 00:34:00,461
The last of his faithful followers
take advantage of a lull
432
00:34:00,461 --> 00:34:04,959
Garden of the Chancellery
April 20, 1945
to come out and celebrate
his birthday on April the 20th.
433
00:34:05,483 --> 00:34:07,588
Hitler is 56 years old.
434
00:34:08,241 --> 00:34:10,311
He consoles these Hitler Youth,
435
00:34:10,312 --> 00:34:15,008
who have been chosen because their parents
have just been killed in the bombing of Dresden.
436
00:34:20,924 --> 00:34:25,999
As the Americans advance westward,
they capture thousands of these Hitler youths
437
00:34:25,999 --> 00:34:29,435
sent to the front to replace
the soldiers who have been killed.
438
00:34:30,315 --> 00:34:33,034
The Americans can hardly
believe their eyes.
439
00:34:33,035 --> 00:34:36,040
These boys-soldiers
are afraid of nothing.
440
00:34:36,826 --> 00:34:39,510
They have undergone years
of brainwashing.
441
00:34:39,511 --> 00:34:43,325
Hatred and racism have been
indoctrinated into them.
442
00:34:46,178 --> 00:34:49,297
The old men in the Volkssturm
who were also captured
443
00:34:49,297 --> 00:34:51,904
have no words of
comfort for them.
444
00:35:07,389 --> 00:35:12,351
The Americans meet up with the Russians
on the Elbe near the Torgau bridge.
445
00:35:12,826 --> 00:35:14,084
Torgau
April 25, 1945
446
00:35:14,085 --> 00:35:15,959
Torgau
April 25, 1945
East meets West.
447
00:35:15,960 --> 00:35:18,402
The final act of the alliance.
448
00:35:18,403 --> 00:35:21,967
The atmosphere is friendly...
...for the cameras.
449
00:35:32,449 --> 00:35:35,486
Stalin's portrait is
superbly displayed,
450
00:35:35,810 --> 00:35:39,259
but Roosevelt's is draped
in black mourning crape.
451
00:35:39,294 --> 00:35:41,147
He died on April the 12th.
452
00:35:44,018 --> 00:35:48,468
One of America's most renowned generals,
George S. Patton, is furious.
453
00:35:48,469 --> 00:35:52,604
George S. Patton
He thinks the Americans should have
entered Berlin before the Russians.
454
00:35:53,326 --> 00:35:56,033
Patton, the man with the
pistols in his belt,
455
00:35:56,034 --> 00:35:58,421
who drove his tanks
through Africa,
456
00:35:58,422 --> 00:36:01,346
through Normandy,
through the Ardenne.
457
00:36:07,168 --> 00:36:08,869
He says to Eisenhower:
458
00:36:08,904 --> 00:36:11,457
The 9th Army is
60 miles from Berlin.
459
00:36:11,457 --> 00:36:16,433
Not to go all the way there is a historic error
whose consequences will be very grave.
460
00:36:20,076 --> 00:36:21,480
Eisenhower says nothing.
461
00:36:22,139 --> 00:36:26,199
The only thing that matters to him is
to eliminate Hitler and the Nazis.
462
00:36:27,482 --> 00:36:30,547
A few days earlier,
Patton had called him up urgently,
463
00:36:30,548 --> 00:36:35,327
wanting him to witness the horrors
of the concentration camp at Buchenwald.
464
00:36:42,205 --> 00:36:45,594
Eisenhower had the inhabitants
of the nearby city of Weimar
465
00:36:45,594 --> 00:36:50,070
taken there in trucks so that
they could no longer say they did not know,
466
00:36:50,071 --> 00:36:53,764
in order to show them that
such things did exist,
467
00:36:54,194 --> 00:36:57,680
so that they would be able
to testify in Germany.
468
00:37:10,571 --> 00:37:16,302
To say that they had seen the tattoos
collected from the corpses of the deported.
469
00:37:17,807 --> 00:37:21,143
The lampshades made
of human skin.
470
00:37:22,354 --> 00:37:25,571
The shrunken-head paperweights.
471
00:37:36,557 --> 00:37:39,135
Then, in accordance
with the Yalta agreements,
472
00:37:39,136 --> 00:37:42,125
Eisenhower withdrew his troops
from Buchenwald,
473
00:37:42,126 --> 00:37:44,422
which was located
in the Soviet zone.
474
00:37:45,414 --> 00:37:49,263
Stalin immediately puts
the camp back to work.
475
00:37:49,264 --> 00:37:51,638
It will become part of
his prison system,
476
00:37:51,638 --> 00:37:56,915
where people suspected of hostility
towards his regime will be imprisoned.
477
00:37:59,830 --> 00:38:00,756
Berlin
April 30, 1945
478
00:38:00,756 --> 00:38:03,452
Berlin
April 30, 1945
In Berlin the Russians are 300 meters
away from the Fuhrer's bunker.
479
00:38:03,453 --> 00:38:05,133
In Berlin the Russians are 300 meters
away from the Fuhrer's bunker.
480
00:38:10,646 --> 00:38:15,265
Hitler kills his pet dog Blondie,
after marrying Eva Braun.
481
00:38:15,663 --> 00:38:17,827
She swallows a cyanide pill.
482
00:38:18,220 --> 00:38:21,562
Hitler shoots himself
in the head.
483
00:38:29,794 --> 00:38:32,690
Goebbels and his wife also
committed suicide.
484
00:38:32,750 --> 00:38:35,500
And the SS tried to burn their bodies.
485
00:38:36,005 --> 00:38:41,031
Before that, Magda Goebbels had
poisoned her six children.
486
00:38:45,003 --> 00:38:46,753
In her last letter,
she wrote:
487
00:38:47,165 --> 00:38:50,070
That we can end our lives together
with the Fuhrer is a blessing,
488
00:38:50,071 --> 00:38:52,356
for which we never dared to hope.
489
00:38:56,800 --> 00:39:00,738
May 2, 1945
The Soviets will raise their
red flag over the Reichstag.
490
00:39:02,309 --> 00:39:04,912
The main Nazi leaders
will be captured.
491
00:39:07,468 --> 00:39:09,372
Goering
Like Goering, one of Hitler's
most diabolical accomplices.
492
00:39:09,373 --> 00:39:11,115
Like Goering, one of Hitler's
most diabolical accomplices.
493
00:39:18,487 --> 00:39:20,852
In Italy, Mussolini is executed by Partisans
and his body is lynched by the crowd.
494
00:39:20,852 --> 00:39:22,531
Mussolini
In Italy, Mussolini is executed by Partisans
and his body is lynched by the crowd.
495
00:39:22,531 --> 00:39:24,788
In Italy, Mussolini is executed by Partisans
and his body is lynched by the crowd.
496
00:39:27,689 --> 00:39:30,202
Everywhere in Europe
a wave of revenge
497
00:39:30,502 --> 00:39:32,979
is unleashed against those
who in one way or another
498
00:39:32,979 --> 00:39:35,735
collaborated with the devils.
499
00:39:38,645 --> 00:39:43,629
In Berlin, Anna Pavlovna directs
traffic at the Brandenburg Gate.
500
00:39:49,026 --> 00:39:53,175
To defeat Nazi Germany
Russia paid a very high price.
501
00:39:53,175 --> 00:39:56,553
20 million civilians and
soldiers were killed.
502
00:39:56,554 --> 00:40:00,197
Nearly 15% of the population
of the Soviet Union.
503
00:40:06,984 --> 00:40:08,075
Soviet General Georgy Zhukov
has himself filmed in the ruins
504
00:40:08,075 --> 00:40:10,569
Georgy Zhukov
Soviet General Georgy Zhukov
has himself filmed in the ruins
505
00:40:10,569 --> 00:40:11,945
Georgy Zhukov
of the Grand Grand Chancellery of the Reich,
506
00:40:11,945 --> 00:40:12,707
of the Grand Grand Chancellery of the Reich,
507
00:40:12,707 --> 00:40:16,493
the very symbol of Hitler's
delusions of grandeur.
508
00:40:24,432 --> 00:40:26,742
And finally in Hitler's office...
509
00:40:26,743 --> 00:40:29,580
...with the famous globe
that Charlie Chaplin paradded
510
00:40:29,580 --> 00:40:32,272
in his movie the "Great Dicator".
511
00:40:41,859 --> 00:40:44,918
Hitler had ordered
the SS to burn his body.
512
00:40:44,919 --> 00:40:50,078
The Soviets will get rid of the bones in
order to prevent any kind of hero-worship.
513
00:40:51,109 --> 00:40:55,907
May 8, 1945
514
00:40:55,908 --> 00:41:01,236
Wehrmacht commander Marshal Keitel signs
the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany
515
00:41:01,236 --> 00:41:05,816
in front of the General Zhukov, his
mortal enemy and the Allied officers.
516
00:41:06,302 --> 00:41:10,283
The British Air Marshal Tedder,
the American General Spaatz
517
00:41:10,284 --> 00:41:13,596
and the French General
de Lattre de Tassigny.
518
00:41:15,537 --> 00:41:19,908
Keitel will later be tried at the
international Nuremberg trials.
519
00:41:19,909 --> 00:41:23,651
He will be hanged like
many other war criminals.
520
00:41:25,284 --> 00:41:26,732
Berlin
521
00:41:28,404 --> 00:41:32,405
To stop the Nazis,
Germany had to be annihilated.
522
00:41:35,800 --> 00:41:37,766
Will it also be necessary to annihilate Japan?
523
00:41:37,766 --> 00:41:39,250
Okinawa
1945
Will it also be necessary to annihilate Japan?
524
00:41:39,001 --> 00:41:40,400
Okinawa
1945
525
00:41:40,631 --> 00:41:44,914
In the Pacific, the suicide pilots
that the Japanese call "kamikaze",
526
00:41:44,915 --> 00:41:48,101
nosedive their planes
into the American fleet.
527
00:41:52,065 --> 00:41:54,867
Clutching on to their power,
the military chiefs in Tokyo
528
00:41:54,867 --> 00:41:58,970
sacrifice what remains of their
country's youth and their aircraft
529
00:41:58,971 --> 00:42:02,689
in order to prevent the Americans
from landing in Japan.
530
00:42:10,907 --> 00:42:14,761
In the end, the United States
decide against an invasion of Japan
531
00:42:14,762 --> 00:42:18,196
which it thinks will cost
the country a million lives.
532
00:42:20,368 --> 00:42:20,997
Hiroshima
August 6, 1945
533
00:42:20,997 --> 00:42:23,700
Hiroshima
August 6, 1945
Instead, it detonates the atomic inferno.
534
00:42:24,471 --> 00:42:29,678
The first 2 nuclear bombs ever exploded
kill in one second over 100.000 people.
535
00:42:29,679 --> 00:42:30,067
Nagasaki
August 9, 1945
536
00:42:30,068 --> 00:42:32,671
Nagasaki
August 9, 1945
And finally enable the emperor, Hirohito
537
00:42:32,672 --> 00:42:35,672
to seek peace
without loosing face.
538
00:42:36,398 --> 00:42:40,356
The atom bomb had to be dropped
before these Japanese soldiers and officers
539
00:42:40,356 --> 00:42:42,646
would finally consent
to perform this act
540
00:42:42,647 --> 00:42:47,015
which is entirelly contrary to the Bushido,
their code of honour.
541
00:42:47,784 --> 00:42:50,441
A few Japanese soldiers
take to the Jungle.
542
00:42:51,676 --> 00:42:54,446
Some never even learn
of their country's defeat.
543
00:42:54,639 --> 00:42:58,446
The last of these will come
out of hiding and turn himself in...
544
00:42:58,447 --> 00:43:00,337
...in 1975!
545
00:43:00,338 --> 00:43:03,521
September 2, 1945
546
00:43:03,396 --> 00:43:06,221
In Tokyo bay onboard
the USS Missouri,
547
00:43:06,221 --> 00:43:11,139
the representatives of the Allied nations
from China, Great Britain, Russia and France
548
00:43:11,140 --> 00:43:12,740
are filled with emotion.
549
00:43:13,074 --> 00:43:16,244
They have the privilege of attending
the signing of the Japanese surrender,
550
00:43:16,506 --> 00:43:19,227
that marks the end of WW2.
551
00:43:23,087 --> 00:43:26,115
General McArthur
represents the victors.
552
00:43:32,605 --> 00:43:34,209
Mamoru Shigemitsu
553
00:43:34,210 --> 00:43:36,846
Mamoru Shigemitsu
The Japanese minister of foreign affairs
554
00:43:36,847 --> 00:43:38,887
in a top hat
walks with a limp,
555
00:43:38,887 --> 00:43:41,272
having lost a leg in
a bomb attach in China
556
00:43:41,273 --> 00:43:45,788
will sign on behalf of the emperor
with whom he had met the day before.
557
00:43:46,543 --> 00:43:47,665
He had told him:
558
00:43:48,075 --> 00:43:49,852
We must make of
this day of mourning
559
00:43:49,852 --> 00:43:53,250
the first day of the
birth of a new Japan.
560
00:43:53,460 --> 00:43:58,017
In that way, we can go to the ceremony
with our heads held high.
561
00:44:06,276 --> 00:44:08,970
McArthur concludes with these
historic words:
562
00:44:09,691 --> 00:44:13,105
It is my earnest hope and
indeed the hope of all mankind...
563
00:44:13,105 --> 00:44:15,040
that from this
solemn occasion...
564
00:44:15,040 --> 00:44:20,755
a better world shall emerge out of
the blood and carnage of the past...
565
00:44:25,056 --> 00:44:28,657
Hiroshima
566
00:44:29,621 --> 00:44:33,577
This war took the lives
of some 50 million people.
567
00:44:33,612 --> 00:44:35,819
Most of them innocent civilians
568
00:44:35,820 --> 00:44:38,913
in an outbreak of pure violence.
569
00:44:39,718 --> 00:44:40,309
Thousands of victims suffered
for many years afterwards
570
00:44:40,309 --> 00:44:42,859
Nagasaki
Thousands of victims suffered
for many years afterwards
571
00:44:42,859 --> 00:44:46,393
from the appauling after-effects
of nuclear radiation.
572
00:44:50,005 --> 00:44:53,640
Or from the terrible loss
of parents or children,
573
00:44:53,641 --> 00:44:56,233
exterminated in the Nazi camps.
574
00:44:58,748 --> 00:45:02,852
This series is dedicated to the
victims of all forms of totalitarianism.
575
00:45:04,388 --> 00:45:06,453
Let us be grateful
to the cameramen
576
00:45:06,454 --> 00:45:11,208
the unarmed heroes, who recorded
these combats for posterity.
577
00:45:29,681 --> 00:45:35,689
And to all who filmed the war in
all of its atrocity and its familiarity.
578
00:45:35,749 --> 00:45:37,404
They introduced us to Rose
579
00:45:37,405 --> 00:45:38,204
Rose Gowlland
They introduced us to Rose
580
00:45:38,205 --> 00:45:41,787
Rose Gowlland
who on the last day of the Apocalypse
wrote:
581
00:45:41,788 --> 00:45:43,425
The end,
582
00:45:43,426 --> 00:45:45,524
on a bomb...