Apocalypse: The Second World War

With almost nothing to stand in his way, Hitler invades Poland, and the world is on the brink of war. Footage of the Fuhrer relaxing at his alpine chalet is intercut with haunting images of Jews in the Lodz Ghetto.

German soldiers film precious military equipment abandoned by British troops on the shores of Dunkirk, thousands of French civilians are filmed fleeing Paris, and Londoners dig themselves out from daily bombings.

The German army struggles toward Moscow in the brutal Russian winter while in North Africa soldiers fry eggs on the surface of their tanks. Japan launches a surprise attach on the US at Pearl Harbour.

The story of the sudden Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the early days of the war in the Pacific. Back in Europe, this episode looks at the bombing offensive against Germany and at the appalling crime of the Holocaust.

This episode looks at the turning of the war against Germany, with Allied victory at El Alamein and Russian triumph at Stalingrad. Inside Hitler's Germany the SS gain more power, and in southern Europe the Allies fight their way though Italy.

The dramatic story of the D-Day landings and of the liberation of Paris. In the east the Soviets liberate Auschwitz and fight their way to the heart of Berlin. Germany finally surrenders, but Japan fights on until the atom bombs are dropped.