World War Two

Nice color footage of the U.S. Army as they head to the D-Day invasion beaches in Normandy and later – to Paris.

W.W. II German Newsreel footage depicting the combat that took place in Normandy one month after the D-Day landings.

A clip which tells part of the story of the Hitler Youth presence at Normandy during the D-Day invasion.

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Why We Fight”” is a series of seven propaganda films (made between 1942 and 1945) commissioned by the United States government during World War II to demonstrate to American soldiers the reason for U.S. involvement in the war. Later on they were also shown to the general U.S. public to persuade them to support American intervention.Most of the films were directed by Frank Capra, who was daunted and terrified by Leni Riefenstahl’s propaganda film, “”Triumph of the Will””, and worked in direct response to it. “

Katharine Hepburn narrates this look at the many jobs performed by American women during wWII. The narrative was written by Eleanor Roosevelt. Matinee at the Bijou is coming soon to PBS in HD hosted by Debbie Reynolds

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The theatrical trailer for the 2008 movie starring Tom Cruise, Kennith Branaugh, Bill Nighy and directed by Bryan Singer.

A segment of a larger documentary made up of color footage and reenactment footage, combined with the knowing American veterans reminiscing on the topic of “the Devil’s own cesspool”: Okinawa, Japan.

Newscast celebrating the end of the war.

A special edition of ‘Seven Nightly News’ from the studios of ATN7 in Sydney, announcing the surrender of the Japanese to the Allied forces and thus signalling the end of the Second World War and presented by Ross Symonds (who bears an uncanny resemblance in appearance, voice and career path (not to mention, name) of another Ross Symonds, who would join the ATN7 news team some years later).

The news bulletin was preserved for posterity and was only put to air 50 years to the day later, during Channel Seven’s telecast of Victory in the Pacific (or ‘VP Day’) remembrance services held in Sydney and Brisbane.

Real colour footage of the celebrations at the end of World War Two, starting with VJ day in New York and then VE day in Britain and across europe. I thought these images were amazing, as we usually only get to see this period of history in black and white.

The filming of the spontaneous celebration that broke-out on San Francisco’s Market Street the day that Japan surrendered, in August of 1945.

Transportation of all needed supplies to the allied forces during the Second World War would not have gotten very far without the use and abuse of the American Two-Ton Truck (a.k.a. “the Deuce-and-a-half”). This is a segment from a longer History Chanel documentary concerning the General Motor’s “deuce and a half” and the “Red Ball Express” that fueled General Patton’s drive on Berlin during the closing months of the war.

This is Brennan Willard’s 2006 Documentary about World War II war correspondent Ernie Pyle. The Documentary won 2nd place at Maryland History Day and progressed to National Competition where it ranked in top 15 nationally. The documentary received the “Best Junior Entry Award from the State of Maryland” award.

The Fighting Lady (1944) is an Academy Award winning documentary/propaganda film produced by the U.S. Navy.The plot of the film revolves around the life of seamen on board an anonymous aircraft carrier – “the Fighting Lady”. Frequently mentioned is the old adage that war is 99% waiting. The film is notable for its use of Technicolor footage shot by “gun cameras” hoisted directly on naval artillery during combat. This gives a very realistic edge to the film, while the chronological following of the ship and crew mirror the experiences of the seamen who went from green recruits through the rigors of military life, battle, and, for some, death.

Set to the tune, “Deutchland Uber Alles” and a number of other catchy tunes that the jolly boys of the SS sent rocketing up the charts of the top forty, this is official Nazi footage of the SS on the march in full regalia. Aside from plentiful displays of black wool and feldgrau stahelms, you will also see Heinrich, Adolf and all his pals staring from the fifty-yard line.

A 1940 German newsreel depicting the Nazi victory parade down the Champs-Elysées, the awarding of medals under the Arc De Triomphe, and a patronizing salute before the eternal flame that memorializes the fallen soldiers of France.