Relive the explosive military action of World War II with more than 12 hours of spectacularly detailed frontline footage. Experience the legendary attacks at Pearl Harbor, Midway, Iwo Jima, and more, bringing home the exc... more »itement and intrigue of one of the greatest international battles. Disc 1: Attack and Counterattack 1941-1943 - December 7, 1941 ? The horrific Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor destroyed the U.S. Pacific Fleet. American moral reeled, but within six months, it was the enemy?s turn to suffer at the Battle of Midway. They lost four aircraft carriers, one cruiser, and 322 planes. The U.S. went on the offensive, launching a deadly campaign of amphibious assaults that began with the Solomon Islands. It was there that U.S. forces would learn the grueling and bloody nature of war in the Pacific ? Guadalcanal. This comprehensive look at the earliest battles of World War II features actual live-action footage and gripping, wartime storytelling. Disc 2: Victory in the Pacific 1944-1945 The tide of war was turning and the Japanese were on the run. Tinian fell and the U.S. captured airbases within striking distance of Tokyo. In October 1944, Japan?s Imperial Navy was effectively knocked out of the war in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. After four months of bitter jungle fighting, next came Iwo Jima and a 36-day battle that was the bloodiest in Marine Corps history. Finally they reached Okinawa, Hiroshima, and Nagasaki, the last strongholds. The empire of the Rising Sun was falling. Disc 3: America Taken by Surprise - America never thought the Japanese could attack their forces at Pearl Harbor ? especially without warning. Leaders downplayed the threat to the Pacific Fleet, while focusing on the Nazi threat in Europe. Did Roosevelt conspire with Churchill to get America into World War II, even if it meant being attacked by Japan? This fascinating program answers the question: Why was America taken by surprise? Learn what really happened onboard eight battleships during the surprise attack at Pearl Harbor. Disc 4: The Pacific War on Film - View the fascinating conflicts of World War II as they were captured on film. This program presents a trio of wartime documentaries produced by Academy Award-winning director John Ford. His award-winning December 7, 1941 tells the story of Japan's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. Shot in color, The Battle of Midway gives a blow-by-blow account of the most important naval campaign in the Pacific. And The Fighting Lady presents a firsthand look at combat operations on board the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Yorktown. Disc 5: Crucial Turning Points - Get an up-close look at the 15 crucial battles that changed the course of the war and altered America?s destiny forever! Caught in the onslaught of the seemingly invincible Axis war machine, the U.S. had to fight back! This is the story of how we won, battle by battle, moment by crucial moment. Whether on land at Guadalcanal, Normandy, and Iwo Jima; at sea in the Battle of the Atlantic and when German subs plagued the ocean; or in the air during Pearl Harbor and Doolittle?s B-25 raid, these action-crammed turning points are covered in compelling detail. Disc 6: Headline Stories of World War II - The theatrical newsreel documented World War II with energy and thoroughness ? qualities on display in the 84 Hearst newsreels assembled in this invaluable collection. The remarkable footage covers such dramatic events as the rise of Hitler, the outbreak of war in Europe, the attack on Pearl Harbor, the battle at Guadalcanal, the D-Day invasion, the discovery of Auschwitz and the other camps, and much more. Extra Feature: Our Time in Hell - One of the most powerful depictions of WWII ever caught on film, this special program features the candid first-hand account of a U.S. Marine?s horrific experiences during WWII.« less
