Guns of World World II

...with The History Channel

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Tales of the Gun: U.S. Guns of World War II

For the most part, they weren't revolutionary, but evolutionary. In an age when the horrors of war prompted extraordinary advances in weapons technology, the infantrymen who fought under the Stars and Stripes in World War II brandished rifles and sidearms that, for the most part, had been designed decades before. But they worked. In all weather, from frozen fights in wintry Northern Europe to the steamy jungles of the Philippines, the U.S. GUNS OF WORLD WAR II proved their worth. This authoritative film documents the origins, evolution and deployment of the firearms that preserved freedom. Go inside some of the world's foremost gun collections for an up-close look at authentic WWII weapons, and extensive combat footage shows them in action. Experts detail the refinements that made the American weapons into the most rugged and dependable ever built, while veterans recall the battles where they blasted their way into history. TALES OF THE GUN blows away any preconceptions you've had as it takes dead aim at the origins, technology, design and use of the most significant firearms in history.

(about 50 minutes)

Tales of the Gun: Japanese Guns of WWII

When Japan entered World War II, their soldiers were armed with pride, a sense of invincibility and an arsenal of clumsy and outdated weapons. JAPANESE GUNS OF WWII visits weapons collections and museums for an up-close look at the arsenal that contributed to the empire's ultimate defeat. Compared to those wielded by the Allies, the Japanese firearms were underpowered, unreliable and over-complicated. As experts reveal, they were just one example of Japan's arrogant belief that the tools and tactics that had taken them to victory against colonial enemies would reprise their success in this far greater conflict. They could not have been more wrong. From their evolution to the role they played in the epic battles of the Pacific campaign, this is the ultimate look at the JAPANESE GUNS OF WW

(about 50 minutes)

Tales of the Gun: German Small Arms of WWII

n 1918 Germany was stripped of its military might and forbidden to re-arm by the Treaty of Versailles. Yet 15 years later, a new, revitalized German Army under the command of dictator Adolf Hitler marched into combat once again, armed with Lugers, P38s, Mauser Pistoles and Karabiners and other devastating weapons that would write their names in blood over the next 12 years. This fascinating program documents the rebirth of the German weapons industry and profiles the infamous weapons they created for the infantry soldiers. Discover how manufacturers hid their real products from the rest of the world until they were powerful enough that discovery no longer mattered, and see rare archival footage of their disguised factories. Hear from the men who wielded these weapons in combat, and relive the battles where they proved their worth. From armistice to World War II, this is a fascinating portrait of the secret birth of some of the most effective guns ever made.

(about 50 minutes)

Tales of the Gun: The Luger

It was originally called the "pistol for war" but it is now known by the name of the man who invented it?the Luger. It was forged in a world where brilliant minds and precision technology were breaking barriers at an astonishing pace. It is a testament to its design that the Luger remains a mainstay of the world?s armies a century after it was introduced. From its origins in Industrial Revolution era Germany to today, this authoritative program tells the complete story of the weapon that revolutionized sidearms by making them automatic. Hear from experts like Garry James, Editor of Guns and Ammo, about how the Luger was invented and how it changed the firearms industry?and warfare?forever. See incredible collections of these famous guns that show their development through the years, and examine their performance on the firing range. For gun buffs and military historians, THE LUGER is a must-see special.

(about 50 minutes)

This video was added to our catalog on January 28, 2008 in Academic::History.

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