Last year (2009), I wanted to observe Memorial Day by watching and reviewing the Frank Capra documentary series "Why We Fight". This time around, it's going to take a bit more time, as the "Victory At Sea" series consists of twenty six half hour episodes. It was produced in 1952 by the National Broadcasting Company in cooperation with the U.S. Navy. Narrated by Leonard Graves and backed by a Richard Rodgers original score, the series chronicles America's entry into World War II and the major campaigns of the Pacific Theater.
One of the most striking elements that hit you right from the outset is how much of the footage is sourced from archives of the enemy. You get to see German naval and submarine sailors celebrating attacks against their victims, and Japanese leaders planning their strategy for world conquest. It's a unique glimpse at an enemy intent on the destruction of Europe and the rest of the Free World.
The first chapter, 'Design For War' doesn't spend much time on background. It delves right into the period around September 1941 when American and Canadian ships joined British forces in the Atlantic in an attempt to protect merchant cargoes crossing the sea lanes. The Nazi war machine deemed it necessary to isolate and defeat Britain, and directed their effort to improving and enlarging their submarine command. German 'wolf packs' targeted merchant convoys, while at the same time, Nazi air power hammered Britain relentlessly.
Given the era, one of the most striking things you'll notice while watching is how destructive enemy weapons proved to be. In some instances, it only took a single torpedo to sink or obliterate a naval vessel. Following this death and destruction, one is struck by the celebrations of victory in the streets of Berlin by a German populace held in thrall by their charismatic Hitler. And this was just the beginning.
One of the most striking elements that hit you right from the outset is how much of the footage is sourced from archives of the enemy. You get to see German naval and submarine sailors celebrating attacks against their victims, and Japanese leaders planning their strategy for world conquest. It's a unique glimpse at an enemy intent on the destruction of Europe and the rest of the Free World.
The first chapter, 'Design For War' doesn't spend much time on background. It delves right into the period around September 1941 when American and Canadian ships joined British forces in the Atlantic in an attempt to protect merchant cargoes crossing the sea lanes. The Nazi war machine deemed it necessary to isolate and defeat Britain, and directed their effort to improving and enlarging their submarine command. German 'wolf packs' targeted merchant convoys, while at the same time, Nazi air power hammered Britain relentlessly.
Given the era, one of the most striking things you'll notice while watching is how destructive enemy weapons proved to be. In some instances, it only took a single torpedo to sink or obliterate a naval vessel. Following this death and destruction, one is struck by the celebrations of victory in the streets of Berlin by a German populace held in thrall by their charismatic Hitler. And this was just the beginning.