Dead Men's Secrets

At the outbreak of World War II, the ocean liner Normandie was brought into New York City harbor where it was to be converted into a carrier for US troops to the battlefields of Europe. After a mysterious fire broke out, the huge vessel capsized leaving American authorities suspecting the act to be the work of Nazi spies. But some feel that Lucky Luciano, American mafia kingpin, may have a hand in it. As events unfolded, Luciano and the US Government entered into a deal which helped the war effort, but left the Mafia as a powerhouse in the States thereafter, despite Luciano's eventual deportation to Italy.

A history of German U-boats during World War II recalls their tactics and the ways U.S. forces counterattacked.

The history of a Russian spy ring during World War II that exposed German secrets during the war.

Chronicling British efforts during World War II battles in the deserts of North Africa to push back Italian and German forces, which included Erwin Rommel's Afrika Corps.

Recalling the role in World War II of M19, the British agency responsible for escape and evasion. Included: comments by former Resistance members.

Examining the work of World War II technicians who intercepted and tracked enemy messages used to track ships and aircraft and pinpoint locations.

Recalling a 1939 report on Nazi technological advances that was given to British intelligence, and how it affected World War II.

Examining the 1945 disappearance of Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg who tried to save Hungarian Jews from Nazi death camps.

Tracing the path of stolen gold taken during World War II by Germans from pillaged European cities and used to fund their war.