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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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A Time To Fight, Part 6 - War In The Sand | South Carolinians In WW II
   - Episode 6 A Time To Fight, Part 9 9

Video

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A Time To Fight, Part 9
Episode 9
The two most widely used bomber aircraft used by the U.S. in World War II were the Boeing B-17 “Flying Fortress,” and the Consolidated B-24 “Liberator.” During bombing runs, the two biggest fears...
A Time To Fight, Part 6 - War In The Sand | South Carolinians In WW II
   - Episode 6 A Time To Fight, Part 8 8

Video

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A Time To Fight, Part 8
Episode 8
The Army sent the 82nd Airborne, along with General George Patton’s armored divisions, to take the island of Sicily, off the coast of Italy. British forces also assisted the Americans in the Sicily...
A Time To Fight, Part 6 - War In The Sand | South Carolinians In WW II
   - Episode 6 A Time to Fight, Part 7 7

Video

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A Time to Fight, Part 7
Episode 7
The Tuskegee Airmen were African-American pilots during WWII. Before the war, the Army thought African-Americans could only be used as laborers. African-Americans faced all sorts of prejudice and...
A Time to Fight, Part 1 - Pearl Harbor | South Carolinians in WW II
   - Episode 1 A Time To Fight, Part 6 6

Video

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A Time To Fight, Part 6
Episode 6
At the beginning of the war, South Carolinians prepared to fight in either Europe, or the Pacific. For many, their first taste of combat would be in North Africa. In this video segment, S.C. veterans...
Montagu, Lord Charles Greville | South Carolina Public Radio McNair, Robert Evander | South Carolina Public Radio

Audio

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McNair, Robert Evander | South Carolina Public Radio
“M” is for McNair, Robert Evander [1923-2007]. Attorney, legislator, governor. During World War II, McNair served 23 months in the Pacific theater. After the war, he graduated from USC and moved to...
 National Guard | South Carolina Public Radio

Audio

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National Guard | South Carolina Public Radio
"N" is for National Guard. The South Carolina National Guard evolved out of the state’s militia. In 1905 the organized militia was renamed the South Carolina National Guard and in 1916 all state...
Montagu, Lord Charles Greville | South Carolina Public Radio Medal of Honor Recipients | South Carolina Public Radio

Audio

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Medal of Honor Recipients | South Carolina Public Radio
"M" is for Medal of Honor Recipients. Approved by Congress in 1862, the Medal of Honor is America's highest award for military valor. The first native son to receive the award was Ernest A. Garlington...
The Enemy in Our Own Backyard!

Lesson

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The Enemy in Our Own Backyard!

For many rural counties, the only exposure to the infamous Nazis was from newspapers, newsreels, and other war time propaganda which portrayed these soldiers as arrogant, deceitful, and even evil...

Why Study History - Return to Normandy

Lesson

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Why Study History - Return to Normandy

With an understanding of the importance of the D-Day invasion to the people of France, and to the world in helping end the tyranny of fascism and the oppression of Hitler’s Nazi regime, answer the...

A Time To Fight, Part 6 - War In The Sand | South Carolinians In WW II
   - Episode 6 A Time to Fight, Part 5 5

Video

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A Time to Fight, Part 5
Episode 5
The story of the Doolittle Raiders is told, including.that of Bill Farrow, one of three top students in a nationwide search of colleges and universities, chosen to receive pilot's training at...
A Time To Fight, Part 6 - War In The Sand | South Carolinians In WW II
   - Episode 6 A Time to Fight, Part 4 4

Video

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A Time to Fight, Part 4
Episode 4
In June of 1940, Camp Jackson became a permanent military installation and its name was changed to Fort Jackson. Individuals recall various aspects of the training they received there and the...
A Time To Fight, Part 6 - War In The Sand | South Carolinians In WW II
   - Episode 6 A Time to Fight, Part 1 1

Video

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A Time to Fight, Part 1
Episode 1
This episode follows our veterans from their childhoods to the attack on Pearl Harbor and following through to the first battles of the war in North Africa, Italy and Sicily. Additional sections...
The Way Home, Part 2 - The Divine Wind | South Carolinians in WW II
   - Episode 2 The Way Home, Part 6 6

Video

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The Way Home, Part 6
Episode 6
Veterans provide advice to future generations, and reflect on the responsibilities that come with freedom, and their wishes for a world without war. They remember those who didn't survive, and they...
The Way Home, Part 6 - Future Generations | South Carolinians in WW II
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Video

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The Way Home, Part 5
Episode 5
On August 11, 1945, the Emperor of Japan accepted the Potsdam Declaration, which specified the unconditional surrender of Japan. The war was over, the Americans rejoiced, and the troops headed home...
The Way Home, Part 6 - Future Generations | South Carolinians in WW II
   - Episode 6 The Way Home, Part 3 3

Video

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The Way Home, Part 3
Episode 3
Okinawa was the final Japanese island before the mainland. It would be the largest amphibious invasion in history. The Americans had to control the air and the water. The orders came that the...
The Way Home, Part 6 - Future Generations | South Carolinians in WW II
   - Episode 6 The Way Home, Part 4 4

Video

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The Way Home, Part 4
Episode 4
Our veterans discuss the era in which the atomic bomb was used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and their recollections of this time..
The Way Home, Part 6 - Future Generations | South Carolinians in WW II
   - Episode 6 The Way Home, Part 2 2

Video

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The Way Home, Part 2
Episode 2
With its navy destroyed, the Japanese have come to recognize that their last line of defense is through suicide attacks on American ships. From the American ships, the kamikazes looked like a swarm of...
The Way Home, Part 6 - Future Generations | South Carolinians in WW II
   - Episode 6 The Way Home, Part 1 1

Video

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The Way Home, Part 1
Episode 1
This segment focuses on the racial discrimination that existed during World War II and how it affected those who served their country. The military was segregated. There were African Americans from...
The Island War, Part 6 - The Rock | South Carolinians in WW II
   - Episode 6 The Island War, Part 4 4

Video

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The Island War, Part 4
Episode 4
As U.S. troops captured island after island, Japan felt the war slipping away. At Leyte Gulf, Japan lost its navy. In the Philippines, it lost its footing. MacArthur captured the world stage and the...
The Island War, Part 6 - The Rock | South Carolinians in WW II
   - Episode 6 The Island War, Part 3 3

Video

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The Island War, Part 3
Episode 3
Veterans recall Leyte Island in the Philippines and describe their experiences there in detail. They also provide reflections on the starving Philippine children, as well as adults, and they recall...