Up Next
Back to Show
The War
Episode 1: A Necessary War | Introduction
The Second World War brought out the best and the worst in a generation. From 1939 to 1945, between 50 and 60 million people died, most of them civilians, and more than 405,000 Americans in uniform lost their lives. The opening of The War by Ken Burns sets out the scale of the conflict and introduces the four American towns at its heart.
Support Provided By
Unlock with PBS Passport
1:28:19
President Johnson escalates the war while promising the public that victory is in sight.
Unlock with PBS Passport
2:07:27
Germany and the Japanese surrender too and millions try to learn to live without war.
Unlock with PBS Passport
1:59:26
By mid March, 1945, they are across the Rhine, while Russians are 50 miles from Berlin.
Unlock with PBS Passport
2:19:15
On D-Day, 1.5 million Allied troops take part in the greatest invasion in history.
