Series synopsis
WWII in HD is an American documentary war & politics television series that premiered on History on November 15, 2009. It ended on November 19, 2009. It stars Gary Sinise, LL Cool J, Steve Zahn and Justin Bartha.
WWII in HD is a 10-part American documentary television miniseries that originally aired from November 15 to November 19, 2009 on the History Channel. The program focuses on the firsthand experiences of twelve American service members during World War II, including an Army nurse, a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, a second generation Japanese American and prisoner of war, and an Austrian Jewish immigrant. The twelve members recorded their time in both theaters and some had later interviews; found ...
Premise
WWII in HD is a 10-part American documentary television miniseries that originally aired from November 15 to November 19, 2009 on the History Channel. The program focuses on the firsthand experiences of twelve American service members during World War II, including an Army nurse, a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, a second generation Japanese American and prisoner of war, and an Austrian Jewish immigrant. The twelve members recorded their time in both theaters and some had later interviews; found footage from the battlefield was paired with the stories of the twelve service members.
The episodes premiered on five consecutive days, with two episodes per day. The series is narrated by Gary Sinise and was produced by Lou Reda Productions in Easton, Pennsylvania, United States.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Gary Sinise as Narrator
- LL Cool J as Shelby Westbrook (voice)
- Steve Zahn as Nolen Marbrey (voice)
- Justin Bartha as Jack Werner (voice)
- Josh Lucas as Bert Stiles (voice)
- Tim DeKay as Richard Tregaskis (voice)
- Amy Smart as June Wandrey (voice)
- Mark Hefti as Archie Sweeney (voice)
Supporting cast
- Ron Livingston as Charles Scheffel (voice)
- James Kyson as Jimmie Kanaya (voice)
- Rob Corddry as Rockie Blunt (voice)
- Jason Ritter as Jack Yusen (voice)
- Rob Lowe as Robert Sherrod (voice)
Episodes
This series spans 2 seasons with 15 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 5 | November 10, 2010 | November 17, 2010 |
| Season 1 | 10 | November 15, 2009 | November 19, 2009 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Air War The untold story of the American 8th Air Force's bloody battle to defeat the German Luftwaffe in the months leading up to D-Day. Told through the gripping, first person accounts of three American airmen and Stars & Stripes reporter Andy Rooney, this special showcases breathtaking aerial combat--original, color footage, never before seen by most Americans--of the B-17s Flying Fortresses, P-47 Thunderbolts and P-51 Mustangs on missions such as Regensburg, Schweinfurt and Berlin. Never-before-seen 8mm footage of the airmen on the bases, the devastation in Germany, and the Luftwaffe perspective is also highlighted. Flying 25,000 feet above the earth in oxygen-devoid air, and temperatures as low as 50 below zero, the 8th Air Force fought a war unlike anything ever before experienced. By the end, they would suffer more than 26,000 combat deaths--more than the US Marines lost in all of World War II. Narrated by Emmy nominated actor, Rob Lowe. |
November 10, 2010 |
| 2 |
The Battle for Iwo Jima Forever etched into history with its famous image of U.S. Marines hoisting 'Old Glory' over Mount Suribachi, the Battle of lwo Jima reveals a far greater story than just an iconic photograph. The Americans wanted the small island for its strategic airfields, which would bring their bombers within range of Japan's home islands; for the ragged Japanese, it represented a last-ditch effort to stop the oncoming Allied juggernaut on its island-hopping march towards Tokyo. The result was one of the bloodiest battles of the war, as fortified Japanese defenders gave no quarter to the wave of men and steel that crashed onto the volcanic blacks sands of lwo Jima. |
November 17, 2010 |
| 3 |
Character Profiles Additional interview footage with war veterans Jack Werner, Chaeles Scheffel, Roscoe Blunt Jr, Jimmie Kanaya, Shelby Westbrook, and Jack Yusen. |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Darkness Falls Darkness falls... and Europe falls under Nazi control. America was unprepared for joining the war and got hit hard with the attack on Pearl Harbor. North Africa and Guadalcanal were the first bloody battlegrounds. |
November 15, 2009 |
| 2 |
Hard Way Back The Allies take on the daunting forces of the Axis, with victory far from certain. Charles Scheffel battles Rommel's forces in Tunisia and Jack Werner faces bitter combat in the northern Pacific. |
November 15, 2009 |
| 3 |
Bloody Resolve The Marines assault Tarawa in one of the bloodiest battles yet waged. MacArthur island-hops and Italy's front lines claim a casualty. |
November 16, 2009 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | History |
|---|---|
| First aired | November 15, 2009 |
| Last aired | November 19, 2009 |
| Status | Ended |
| Schedule | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday at 21:00:00 |