How Hitler Crashed Europe

The second world war involved conflict on an unprecedented scale. Its battles set new marks for the sheer size of forces deployed and for the power of their weapons. We study the first battle at sea, in which enemy ships never sighted each other and the largest army ever to march when Germany launched its invasion of the Soviet Union. By 1942, the goal was to control North Africa with Rommel at the command.

Step into the real stories behind World War II as German, Polish, and Russian soldiers recount the battles of Poland 1939 and Berlin 1945. In this powerful documentary, hear firsthand accounts from men who stood on opposite sides of history - from the lightning-fast Blitzkrieg invasion of Poland to the final, desperate struggle for Berlin. Discover how soldiers like Johann Koehler and Felix Greenspan faced impossible odds, the courage of the Polish resistance, and the devastating cost paid by both armies and civilians. The video explores the rapid German advance into Poland, the secret pact with the Soviet Union, the tragic siege of Warsaw, and the heart-wrenching aftermath as the country is divided. The story continues with gripping details from the Battle of Berlin, where Gregory Klimov and Gerhard Hirst share what it was like to be trapped in the city’s ruins as the Red Army closed in. Learn about the chaos, the shifting frontlines, and the personal toll on those caught between collapsing empires. These unique perspectives shed light on the brutality, confusion, and resilience of those who lived

Witness the turning points of WWII - from the sinking of the Tirpitz to fierce Allied advances and powerful stories of resistance, sacrifice, and hope across Europe and the Pacific. This gripping newsreel transports you to the frontlines and home fronts of World War II, capturing historic events like the RAF's daring attack on the battleship Tirpitz, brutal infantry battles in Europe, and the fierce Allied push across the Rhineland. Experience dramatic moments such as the Warsaw Uprising, Danish and French resistance, and the relentless Allied air raids that crippled the Nazi war machine. Rare footage reveals the daily challenges faced by soldiers and civilians alike, from muddy Italian campaigns and snowstorms in Canada to the vital work of nurses, merchant mariners, and war bond drives back home. See how the Allies liberated towns, opened supply lines at Antwerp, and struck deep into the heart of enemy territory. Learn about the pivotal roles played by the RAF, US Navy, and Russian forces in key battles, and witness moving acts of defiance and resilience in occupied Denmark, Poland, and France. The

Following the American Civil War, the Government's greatest military concern was the increasing ferocity of fighting between pioneers and the Native Americans. How did these skirmishes grow into a full-blown war with legendary figures like Crazy Horse and General Custer? From executive producer Robert Redford, Robert Redford’s The West explores the dramatic evolution of the American West, when cowboys, Indians, outlaws and sheriffs populated the land. 💚 Join the Absolute History club to get access to exclusive member benefits!

In 1940 all that stood between Britain and the clutches of Nazi Germany was the English channel. As an invasion by sea was impossible, Hitler began his strategy of controlling the skies above Britain. This however, would prove to be a significantly trickier task than he imagined. War Stories is your one-stop shop for all things military history. From Waterloo to Verdun, we'll be bringing you only the best documentaries and stories from history's most engaging and dramatic conflicts. You can find more from us on

How did Greece and Yugoslavia force Hitler's detour that delayed Operation Barbarossa? This Battlefield episode traces the chain of decisions that pulled Germany into the Balkans, exposed Ploesti’s vital oil, and reshaped the war in the East. After the 1939 pact with Stalin and victory in the West, Mussolini’s failed invasion of Greece in October 1940 drew British forces to the Aegean and threatened Romania’s refineries. Hitler answered with a lightning assault on Yugoslavia and Greece on 6 April 1941, taking Athens by 27 April. The diversion cost precious weeks; the invasion of the Soviet Union began on 21 June, reaching Moscow’s edge as winter closed in. As Churchill observed, Hitler had failed to notice that Russia had a winter. Air power then targeted fuel. Early raids on Romania were ineffective, but on 1 August 1943 B-24 Liberators from North Africa attacked Ploesti at low level, confronting flak, ME-109s, and chaos over the target. Fifty-seven bombers were shot down and 11 turned back, with little lasting damage. In 1944 the American 15th Air Force returned with long-range P-51 escorts. After