Great Air Battles of WWII

Watch Great Air Battles of WWII

  • 2015
  • 1 Season

Great Air Battles of WWII is an action-packed documentary series that delves into some of the most intense and pivotal aerial battles of World War II. Produced and distributed by Questar, Inc. in 2015, it is a detailed and immersive exploration of the planes, pilots, tactics, and strategies that shaped the course of the war in the skies.

Over the course of six episodes, Great Air Battles of WWII covers some of the most iconic and dramatic air battles of the war. Each episode focuses on a specific battle, and uses expert interviews, historical footage, and detailed reenactments to bring the action to life.

The series begins with an episode on the Battle of Britain, which was fought between the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the German Luftwaffe over the summer and fall of 1940. This battle was Britain's first major military victory of the war, and was a turning point in the country's ability to resist Nazi Germany's attempts at invasion. The episode examines the planes on both sides, the tactics employed by the pilots, and the key strategies that led to the RAF's ultimate victory.

Next, the series looks at the Siege of Malta, which was a crucial battle for control of the Mediterranean Sea. The small island of Malta was under attack by Axis powers for two and a half years, and held out thanks in part to the bravery and skill of the pilots who defended it. Great Air Battles of WWII looks at the challenges faced by the pilots who fought over Malta, including extreme heat, constant bombardment, and the limitations of the planes themselves.

The third episode covers the Battle of Midway, a naval battle that was heavily influenced by the work of aircraft carriers and their fighter planes. This was a major victory for the Allies, and marked a turning point in the war in the Pacific. The episode examines the technology and tactics that gave American pilots an advantage over their Japanese counterparts, as well as the critical importance of intelligence and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.

The fourth episode focuses on the Battle of Stalingrad, which was a key turning point in the war in the Soviet Union. This battle took place on the ground as well as in the air, but the aerial combat was critical in both disrupting the enemy's supply lines and providing tactical support to ground troops. Great Air Battles of WWII looks at the different planes used by both sides, as well as the creative tactics employed by Soviet pilots to outsmart the German Luftwaffe.

The fifth episode covers the Strategic Air Campaign, which involved Allied bombing raids on key German targets in an effort to disrupt the Axis war effort. This episode looks at how the air campaigns evolved over time, and how the Germans adapted their tactics in response. It also examines the devastating impact of the bombings on German cities and infrastructure, as well as the human cost of the campaign.

Finally, the series ends with an episode on the air war over Japan. This episode covers the intense bombing raids that took place over Japanese cities in the latter stages of the war, as well as the use of the atomic bomb to bring the conflict to a close. It also looks at the ways in which Japanese pilots and planes adapted to the changing circumstances, as well as the challenges faced by American pilots as they flew deep into enemy territory.

Throughout the series, Great Air Battles of WWII provides a detailed and engaging look at the planes, tactics, and strategies that shaped the course of the war in the skies. Whether you're a history buff or simply curious about the role of aerial combat in World War II, this series is sure to provide plenty of thrilling and informative moments.

Great Air Battles of WWII
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Seasons
Reflections on War
17. Reflections on War
August 1, 2015
In this final episode, victors of aerial duels in the skies of every theater of war reach inside memories etched in steel for the skills and relentless purpose that elevated them to the ranks of the great aces.
Victory in the Pacific
16. Victory in the Pacific
August 1, 2015
After the Great Marianas Turkey shoot, Japanese airpower declines as American fighter pilots in the Pacific reach the zenith of their deadly profession. The final fighter pilot kill of the war is over Japan.
Fall of the Third Reich
15. Fall of the Third Reich
August 1, 2015
The final aerial battles between Soviet and German fighter pilots occur. Russian aircraft now equal those flown by the Luftwaffe, whose pilots face incursion from the east, as well as the west. The top Russian ace, Ivan Kozhedub, reaches 62 kills, while the top German ace, Erich Hartmann, is credited with 352.
Closing the Ring
14. Closing the Ring
August 1, 2015
Marine valor paves the way for the aerial assault on Japan. During the relentless march westward, the rivalry heats up between top aces Dick Bong and Tom McGuire, and Admiral Yamamoto is the victim of aerial assassination.
Big Friend, Little Friend
13. Big Friend, Little Friend
August 1, 2015
Now equipped with long-range fighters, American aces wage a war deep in the heart of the Third Reich while escorting heavy bombers to distant targets. Goring sees P-51s over Europe, and admits that the war is lost.
Struggle For Supremacy
12. Struggle For Supremacy
August 1, 2015
From the first to the last, nations frantically seek to give their fighter pilots the winning edge in planes, engines, guns, and tactics in combat by day, and by night. The Germans shock the Allies when they win the race for committing jet and rocket fighters to battle, a race won too late.
Assault on Fortress Europe
11. Assault on Fortress Europe
August 1, 2015
The Allies take the offensive as the tide of war turns against the Axis in the Mediterranean, and in Europe. The fury of war in the air takes a heavy toll on attacker and defender alike, but the undermanned and outgunned Luftwaffe is defiant in the face of certain defeat.
Allied Bombers
10. Allied Bombers
August 1, 2015
These heavy-duty war birds brought death and destruction to the enemy with lethal showers of high-explosive and incendiary bombs. Fly with the U.S. B-17 Flying Fortress, the British Lancaster and Societ Tupolev bombers as they drop devestating payloads over German territory.
Axis Bombers
8. Axis Bombers
August 1, 2015
Experience the enemy bombing campaigns with missions in Heinkel, Dornier and Junkers bombers as they rain explosives down upon London, Manchester and other British cities.
Axis Fighters
7. Axis Fighters
August 1, 2015
Watch the enemy fighter jets in action as they shoot at allied planes in some of the msot heated air battles of WWII.
Hell in the Pacific
6. Hell in the Pacific
August 1, 2015
Americans are outnumbered everywhere, but turn the tide at Midway. The ragged Cactus Air Force on Guadalcanal battles against odds over the bitterly contested South Pacific.
Tigers Over China
5. Tigers Over China
August 1, 2015
New fighter aces are born with the emergence of the Flying Tigers. They become the first volunteer American force to battle the Japanese in the Chines sky.
Under All Flags
4. Under All Flags
August 1, 2015
Some of the deadliest Allied aces of the war emerge from international squadrons of the Royal Air Force. Their own nations crushed under the iron heel of a conqueror, desperate and determined men make perilous journeys to England, and continue to fight in the skies over occupied England.
Red Star Rising
3. Red Star Rising
August 1, 2015
The Soviet Air Force is all but wiped out by the Luftwaffe, but recovers to fight the invader to a standstill in the most atrocious winter ever encountered.
Defending the Realm
2. Defending the Realm
August 1, 2015
The German blitzkrieg by the invincible Luftwaffe crushes Poland, France, Denmark, and Norway, but a handul of fighter pilots save the Empire during the Battle of Britain.
Knights in the Sky
1. Knights in the Sky
August 1, 2015
A galaxy of international aces are seen in aerial combat as a series prelude. They describe the qualities great aces must have, and recall a heritage that begins with chivalrous fighter duels of World War I, and ends with Luftwaffe pilots hone their skills in Spain during the bloody dress rehearsal for World War II.
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  • Premiere Date
    August 1, 2015
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