World War II (1939–1945)

World War II was a global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. The war involved the many of the world's countries. Two opposing military alliances were formed: the Allies and the Axis.

While Japan was already at war with China in 1937,  the Second World War began on September 1, 1939 when Nazi Germany invaded Poland. Germany conquered much of Europe, eventually forming the Axis alliance with Italy and Japan. Approximately six million European Jews were killed by Adolf Hitler's Nazi Germany and this event would become known as the Holocaust.

 

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Fort Moultrie | History Of SC Slide Collection
Fort Moultrie | History Of SC Slide Collection
Episode 1

Photo

This aerial view of Fort Moultrie was taken in 1980 after the fort had become a National Park and was restored to show the evolution of Atlantic coast defense fortifications from the Revolutionary War...
Return To Normandy | South Carolinians In WW II
Episode 1

Video

To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Normandy, many veterans make the journey to France to remember the battle that took place. For the remaining veterans still alive, this...
A New Front, Part 8
Episode 8

Video

After the victory in Italy, the next large-scale campaign would be “Operation Overlord”: a massive allied mobilization by the Americans and the British, to drive the Germans out of France. American...
A New Front, Part 6
Episode 6

Video

With the majority of men off fighting the war overseas, women on the home-front had to step up to take on jobs that men would usually do. Most war machines and weapons, such as tanks, airplanes, and...
A New Front, Part 5
Episode 5

Video

Also known as the Battle of Anzio, Operation Shingle was an allied amphibious campaign, under command of Lieutenant General Mark W. Clark, and Major General John P. Lucas. S.C. veterans remember the...