1
00:00:05,760 --> 00:00:09,020
The war was wreaking havoc in the East
since 1937,
2
00:00:09,220 --> 00:00:11,460
when Japan invaded China.
3
00:00:12,780 --> 00:00:15,980
It arrived in Europe
on September 1, 1939,
4
00:00:16,180 --> 00:00:18,460
when Germany invaded Poland.
5
00:00:19,460 --> 00:00:23,320
It has gained worldwide scope
on December 7, 1941,
6
00:00:23,520 --> 00:00:28,460
when the Japanese planes attacked
the US naval base at Pearl Harbor.
7
00:00:31,940 --> 00:00:34,460
The war affected all continents...
8
00:00:37,660 --> 00:00:40,060
...and it lasted six years.
9
00:00:45,180 --> 00:00:49,780
It ended with a new weapon,
for a new era.
10
00:00:50,820 --> 00:00:55,120
This is the story of the greatest
event in human history
11
00:00:55,880 --> 00:00:58,500
and these men
they took part in it.
12
00:00:58,800 --> 00:01:03,160
They witnessed the shootings
and the tragedies of war
13
00:01:03,560 --> 00:01:05,580
from wherever battles took place.
14
00:01:07,920 --> 00:01:13,060
Their testimony is an element
from the history of the formation of our world...
15
00:01:15,340 --> 00:01:17,680
...by those who could pay...
16
00:01:19,420 --> 00:01:22,460
...and by those who
they couldn't take it anymore...
17
00:01:25,280 --> 00:01:27,060
...the price of empire.
18
00:01:27,260 --> 00:01:31,760
WORLD WAR II:
THE PRICE OF EMPIRE
19
00:01:37,740 --> 00:01:41,460
In an unstable world because
problems of the First World War,
20
00:01:41,660 --> 00:01:45,140
unresolved by the peace treaty
which ended the conflict,
21
00:01:45,940 --> 00:01:47,160
dictators rose up
22
00:01:47,560 --> 00:01:51,900
whose ambitions brought
and Europe on the brink of war.
23
00:01:53,600 --> 00:01:57,560
In the second episode, Europe passed
over the threshold mentioned before,
24
00:01:57,860 --> 00:02:01,500
when the unlikely alliance
between Germany and the USSR
25
00:02:01,700 --> 00:02:05,280
gave both countries courage
to attack Poland.
26
00:02:13,020 --> 00:02:16,040
The spring of 1940 arrived.
27
00:02:16,340 --> 00:02:20,620
Six months of calm passed,
the so-called "strange war".
28
00:02:24,040 --> 00:02:25,640
But it had chances to end.
29
00:02:25,840 --> 00:02:29,680
In the vocabulary of war
a new term would enter:
30
00:02:30,220 --> 00:02:31,820
blitzkrieg.
31
00:02:34,860 --> 00:02:41,440
EPISODE 3:
THE LIGHTNING WAR
32
00:02:46,200 --> 00:02:50,140
On January 10, 1940,
a German military plane
33
00:02:50,340 --> 00:02:54,080
force landed in Belgium,
at Maasmechelen.
34
00:02:54,440 --> 00:02:56,900
The major is on board
Helmuth Reinberger,
35
00:02:57,200 --> 00:03:00,180
a staff officer
from the 7th Airborne Division.
36
00:03:02,480 --> 00:03:08,820
He had a complete copy
of Fall Gelb, "The Yellow Plan",
37
00:03:09,080 --> 00:03:12,620
the German invasion strategy
of Western Europe.
38
00:03:13,760 --> 00:03:19,780
The loss of the document was considered
catastrophic by the German Command.
39
00:03:20,080 --> 00:03:23,680
Hitler had to
to delay the invasion until spring,
40
00:03:23,960 --> 00:03:26,000
for relief
High Command,
41
00:03:26,200 --> 00:03:31,060
which supported the need to stop
for repairs, restoration and re-equipment.
42
00:03:32,320 --> 00:03:35,300
This delay was
that "strange war".
43
00:03:38,060 --> 00:03:39,720
The "Yellow Plan" being compromised,
44
00:03:39,920 --> 00:03:43,400
General Erich von Manstein
he now had the opportunity
45
00:03:43,600 --> 00:03:48,140
to insist on being adopted
own strategy, rejected before.
46
00:03:48,520 --> 00:03:52,000
The "Yellow Plan" was practically rebuilding
offensive plan
47
00:03:52,200 --> 00:03:55,400
applied by Germany in 1914.
48
00:03:55,700 --> 00:03:58,200
It was an attack
across the Belgian border,
49
00:03:58,400 --> 00:04:01,200
taking by surprise
French defense.
50
00:04:01,500 --> 00:04:05,080
The allies really expected it
to this strategy.
51
00:04:08,820 --> 00:04:10,940
Terrible losses
from the First World War,
52
00:04:11,240 --> 00:04:15,320
4,500,000 in number, of which
almost 1,500,000 dead,
53
00:04:15,540 --> 00:04:18,620
they had convinced France
that the future of war constitutes it
54
00:04:18,820 --> 00:04:21,960
soldiers with machine guns,
you are in the trenches.
55
00:04:23,040 --> 00:04:29,440
In the interwar years, France had spent
huge for defense.
56
00:04:32,680 --> 00:04:35,740
Mostly,
around three billion francs,
57
00:04:36,040 --> 00:04:38,020
spent on a line of fortifications
58
00:04:38,320 --> 00:04:41,620
baptized with the name of the minister
of war that had laid its foundations:
59
00:04:41,980 --> 00:04:43,660
André Maginot.
60
00:04:45,960 --> 00:04:50,200
The Maginot Line fortifies the border
between France and Germany.
61
00:04:50,760 --> 00:04:54,820
It was equipped with a railway
and underground cinemas,
62
00:04:55,060 --> 00:04:57,320
as well as a garrison
of 500,000 soldiers
63
00:04:57,520 --> 00:05:01,400
ready to repel a direct attack
from the German side.
64
00:05:03,280 --> 00:05:08,620
This "invincible line"
would oblige Germany
65
00:05:08,820 --> 00:05:13,680
to attack through Belgium,
as in the 1914 offensive.
66
00:05:15,560 --> 00:05:18,560
That's why here
from the latter part of 1939,
67
00:05:18,760 --> 00:05:22,120
they concentrated their forces
the French and the British.
68
00:05:23,040 --> 00:05:29,500
We don't know how it would have been if they applied
Fall Gelb, the attack through Belgium.
69
00:05:29,800 --> 00:05:35,360
Surely the fight would have been closer.
He would not have expected such destruction.
70
00:05:37,040 --> 00:05:38,400
Giving up Fall Gelb
71
00:05:38,600 --> 00:05:41,360
after the plane crash
in Maasmechelen,
72
00:05:41,660 --> 00:05:46,360
The German High Command was
had to find another strategy.
73
00:05:46,880 --> 00:05:49,460
The big moment had arrived
for Erich von Manstein,
74
00:05:49,700 --> 00:05:52,680
career soldier,
trained according to the Prussian tradition.
75
00:05:53,200 --> 00:05:57,200
In mid-February,
Hitler had approved Manstein's plan,
76
00:05:57,500 --> 00:06:01,680
which came to be known as
Sichelschnitt, "sickle cut".
77
00:06:01,980 --> 00:06:07,825
The first German plans proposed
a right detour to the ports.
78
00:06:08,125 --> 00:06:13,585
According to the new plan, they were coming through
left and surprised the Allies,
79
00:06:13,785 --> 00:06:17,985
who expected the enemy to
rush across the Belgian border.
80
00:06:18,785 --> 00:06:24,045
That maneuver through the left was going to be
executed by armored divisions.
81
00:06:24,345 --> 00:06:29,105
Walther Wenck, the commander
1st Panzer Division, formulated the idea
82
00:06:29,305 --> 00:06:35,225
which best explains the thinking
behind the German strategy.
83
00:06:35,645 --> 00:06:41,125
Wenck said, "Punch.
Don't try to feel with your fingers."
84
00:06:41,505 --> 00:06:44,565
The German tanks would be
offensive, like a clenched fist,
85
00:06:44,865 --> 00:06:47,525
not torn apart, like the Allies'.
86
00:06:47,725 --> 00:06:52,705
And they would fight for the territory.
They did not stop at an arranged fight.
87
00:06:53,125 --> 00:06:56,145
Von Manstein was planning
to take advantage of the weak point
88
00:06:56,345 --> 00:06:59,705
which was critical
for the conquest of France:
89
00:07:00,945 --> 00:07:06,125
the gap between the defense
the Belgian border and the Maginot Line,
90
00:07:06,425 --> 00:07:10,105
the forested area of the Ardennes mountains.
91
00:07:11,065 --> 00:07:15,245
German military theorists called
this place der Schwerpunkt,
92
00:07:15,495 --> 00:07:18,375
meaning "focal point"
or "center of gravity".
93
00:07:18,745 --> 00:07:22,185
Von Manstein believed that this place
is the river Maas (Meuse),
94
00:07:22,435 --> 00:07:25,255
between Sedan and Dinant.
95
00:07:25,825 --> 00:07:27,345
According to French strategists,
96
00:07:27,545 --> 00:07:31,045
no attack could penetrate
the dense forest of the Ardennes.
97
00:07:31,385 --> 00:07:35,585
According to the Manstein plan,
armored cars could cut through the forest
98
00:07:35,785 --> 00:07:40,285
and then appear by surprise
behind the enemy
99
00:07:40,485 --> 00:07:46,405
who were expecting a frontal attack
not only through Belgium, but also through Holland,
100
00:07:46,625 --> 00:07:48,825
whose sovereignty
the Kaiser had respected her
101
00:07:49,025 --> 00:07:51,165
a quarter of a century ago.
102
00:07:52,535 --> 00:07:55,615
Belgium and France took part
in the First World War,
103
00:07:55,975 --> 00:07:57,855
but Holland was neutral.
104
00:07:58,665 --> 00:08:00,585
I suppose there is nothing wrong here.
105
00:08:00,785 --> 00:08:05,505
Everyone hoped that the situation
not to take a worse turn.
106
00:08:07,615 --> 00:08:09,255
Hitler took a risk.
107
00:08:09,665 --> 00:08:15,365
He ordered them to be used
all materials and all ammunition.
108
00:08:15,625 --> 00:08:20,145
He thought they would get it
reserves from the conquered territories.
109
00:08:20,425 --> 00:08:24,505
At the beginning of the invasion,
Luftwaffe, for example,
110
00:08:24,705 --> 00:08:29,345
had bombs
only for 14 days of fighting.
111
00:08:35,465 --> 00:08:40,425
The Germans were far outnumbered
in all respects.
112
00:08:51,055 --> 00:08:55,755
They had three army groups,
made up of 133 divisions.
113
00:08:56,065 --> 00:09:00,045
The troops they were facing
they had 145 divisions,
114
00:09:00,345 --> 00:09:04,965
3,700,000 soldiers,
compared to 2,700,000 that Germany had.
115
00:09:06,085 --> 00:09:07,565
And on paper at least,
116
00:09:07,865 --> 00:09:13,125
France alone had more
tanks and planes than Germany.
117
00:09:14,105 --> 00:09:19,525
Hitler is said to have said,
in August 1941:
118
00:09:19,865 --> 00:09:25,865
"I never use the word
blitzkrieg. It's gross."
119
00:09:26,525 --> 00:09:29,585
this word
which means "lightning war",
120
00:09:29,885 --> 00:09:35,785
describes the idea well
German mechanized offensives.
121
00:09:36,085 --> 00:09:40,845
The most destructive of them all
started at 05:45,
122
00:09:41,045 --> 00:09:44,465
in the morning of May 10, 1940.
123
00:09:44,865 --> 00:09:46,245
After not even six weeks,
124
00:09:46,445 --> 00:09:52,265
the fight ended in defeat
unspeakably catastrophic and humiliating.
125
00:09:52,565 --> 00:09:55,045
All countries in continental Europe
126
00:09:55,245 --> 00:09:59,905
who had not allied themselves with Germany
or had not remained neutral
127
00:10:00,205 --> 00:10:03,345
were falling into the hands of the Nazis.
128
00:10:07,145 --> 00:10:12,125
German High Command Plan,
Oberkommando des Heeres or OKH,
129
00:10:12,425 --> 00:10:14,565
for the invasion of Western Europe
130
00:10:14,865 --> 00:10:20,465
anticipated the defeat of France
and the Netherlands and the isolation of Great Britain.
131
00:10:20,865 --> 00:10:24,385
That was all the Germans had planned
in the West.
132
00:10:24,725 --> 00:10:28,785
They had made no plans for
the exploitation of the conquered territories.
133
00:10:29,105 --> 00:10:34,145
That's why we have to go back
looks to the East, like Hitler,
134
00:10:34,465 --> 00:10:37,445
in connection with which Germany
he had made other plans.
135
00:10:38,965 --> 00:10:41,525
Just to make sure
the rear of the German army,
136
00:10:41,775 --> 00:10:44,915
preliminary stage
the plan for the East,
137
00:10:45,215 --> 00:10:46,805
East General Plan,
138
00:10:47,165 --> 00:10:51,425
Hitler strove to conquer
the countries with which it borders to the west.
139
00:10:54,675 --> 00:10:58,055
After subduing Western Europe,
Hitler would return
140
00:10:58,255 --> 00:11:02,935
and put it into practice
the grand plan of an empire in the East.
141
00:11:06,885 --> 00:11:12,485
To secure the rear of his army
Hitler applied the Manstein Plan,
142
00:11:12,885 --> 00:11:17,045
a frightening demonstration
what did the war mean now
143
00:11:19,525 --> 00:11:24,485
General George Marshall, Chief of Staff
of President Franklin D. Roosevelt,
144
00:11:24,685 --> 00:11:26,645
noticed since 1940
145
00:11:26,845 --> 00:11:31,345
that the weather had set
parade patriotism in war.
146
00:11:33,155 --> 00:11:36,775
Nikolai Voznesensky,
Soviet chief strategist,
147
00:11:37,075 --> 00:11:40,125
he warned
that there will be a war of engines,
148
00:11:40,365 --> 00:11:45,105
which will be won
not on the battlefield, but in the factories.
149
00:11:52,565 --> 00:11:57,005
No flags in the wind,
bright swords or scarlet tunics.
150
00:11:57,255 --> 00:12:01,435
Now the bombs would decide,
shells and mobile armor.
151
00:12:01,635 --> 00:12:07,155
And not their mere possession,
but a constant supply of them.
152
00:12:15,645 --> 00:12:19,645
In March 1945, a Panzer division
153
00:12:19,925 --> 00:12:22,865
it included 54 tanks.
154
00:12:27,465 --> 00:12:29,525
But in May 1940,
155
00:12:29,825 --> 00:12:34,645
a Panzer division was being made up
from 328 tanks,
156
00:12:34,945 --> 00:12:38,105
for the stake was immense.
157
00:12:45,085 --> 00:12:47,285
The Germans began the slaughter
with bombs.
158
00:12:47,485 --> 00:12:50,545
Luftwaffe attacked
airfields of the Allies.
159
00:12:52,205 --> 00:12:56,725
Then they parachuted soldiers into Holland,
to conquer the vital bridges.
160
00:12:56,925 --> 00:13:02,805
The "impregnable" Belgian fort from
Eben-Emael, critic for Liege,
161
00:13:03,105 --> 00:13:06,045
fell into the hands of the troops
airborne, which conquered it
162
00:13:06,245 --> 00:13:10,045
using a simple strategy:
they landed on the roof.
163
00:13:11,085 --> 00:13:13,105
Units from Army Group B
of von Bock
164
00:13:13,305 --> 00:13:18,245
crossed the Dutch and Belgian border,
luring the Allies.
165
00:13:19,125 --> 00:13:21,925
Allied Commander,
the French general Gamelin,
166
00:13:22,125 --> 00:13:24,685
he didn't keep them waiting:
moved three French armies
167
00:13:24,885 --> 00:13:29,005
and the entire expeditionary force
British, 40 divisions in total,
168
00:13:29,305 --> 00:13:33,205
to the north, to keep up
anticipated invasion through Belgium.
169
00:13:35,525 --> 00:13:39,805
But the danger came from the side
Army Group A, from the center.
170
00:13:40,045 --> 00:13:46,565
The seven Panzer divisions,
with 1,800 tanks, they broke through the Ardennes.
171
00:13:50,505 --> 00:13:52,805
From German military philosophy
172
00:13:53,045 --> 00:13:56,085
it was also part of Auftragstaktik,
"mission tactics",
173
00:13:56,285 --> 00:13:59,505
who encouraged the commanders
to take the initiative
174
00:13:59,705 --> 00:14:02,785
and seek to cope
local conditions with flexibility.
175
00:14:03,245 --> 00:14:06,505
The Blitzkrieg that broke out
over the Franco-British defences
176
00:14:06,705 --> 00:14:10,865
it was the initiative of some generals
like Heinz Guderian and Erwin Rommel,
177
00:14:11,065 --> 00:14:13,305
whose reputation
would be confirmed
178
00:14:13,505 --> 00:14:16,045
in the battles of the North African desert.
179
00:14:16,485 --> 00:14:18,625
They traversed the country with their troops,
180
00:14:18,925 --> 00:14:23,305
despite the attempts of superiors
to keep them in check.
181
00:14:27,565 --> 00:14:30,225
On the evening of the first day of the invasion,
182
00:14:30,425 --> 00:14:34,185
Neville Chamberlain, the Prime Minister
British, resigned.
183
00:14:35,245 --> 00:14:37,685
Minister Amery was saying
about Chamberlain
184
00:14:37,885 --> 00:14:40,505
that he hated war so passionately,
185
00:14:40,805 --> 00:14:45,265
that he was determined to have
as little as possible to do with him.
186
00:14:48,205 --> 00:14:51,205
Chamberlain's place
was taken by Winston Churchill,
187
00:14:51,545 --> 00:14:53,525
who does not abhor war.
188
00:14:53,845 --> 00:14:55,585
He had fought in the First World War
189
00:14:55,785 --> 00:14:59,205
and had taken part in the last great attack
British cavalry
190
00:14:59,505 --> 00:15:02,885
in Omdurman, Sudan,
towards the end of the 19th century.
191
00:15:03,135 --> 00:15:07,855
In May 1940,
Winston Churchill was 65 years old,
192
00:15:08,165 --> 00:15:11,565
just five years less
than the man he had replaced.
193
00:15:11,925 --> 00:15:14,005
The one who arrived earlier
it's Winston Churchill
194
00:15:14,285 --> 00:15:16,105
Among his colleagues
and Chamberlain,
195
00:15:16,305 --> 00:15:19,825
which left the post vacant
of prime minister honestly
196
00:15:20,025 --> 00:15:22,565
and the right hand remains
of Churchill.
197
00:15:23,645 --> 00:15:26,305
After two days of installation
in office, on May 12,
198
00:15:26,605 --> 00:15:29,225
the first German armies
they entered France
199
00:15:29,525 --> 00:15:32,505
and they conquered the northern shore
of the river Meuse.
200
00:15:33,685 --> 00:15:36,525
On May 13, the Dutch army
he was ordered to withdraw
201
00:15:36,725 --> 00:15:40,825
and defend the line
Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Utrecht,
202
00:15:41,205 --> 00:15:43,125
but the war was lost in Holland.
203
00:15:43,325 --> 00:15:48,365
On the same day, Queen Wilhelmina
and her government were evacuated to London.
204
00:15:50,415 --> 00:15:53,075
On May 10, Germany attacked
205
00:15:53,595 --> 00:16:00,075
Denmark, Norway, Netherlands,
Belgium and France.
206
00:16:00,304 --> 00:16:02,564
He attacked them all on the same day.
207
00:16:03,995 --> 00:16:08,555
On the fifth day, the German air force
bombed Rotterdam.
208
00:16:11,205 --> 00:16:12,985
There was massive destruction.
209
00:16:13,205 --> 00:16:17,125
I don't know how many were dead,
but they sure were.
210
00:16:18,545 --> 00:16:22,565
That day he surrendered
Dutch High Command.
211
00:16:23,345 --> 00:16:24,925
We had arrived under occupation.
212
00:16:25,245 --> 00:16:27,925
In the first two days of occupation,
213
00:16:28,405 --> 00:16:32,325
they committed suicide
quite a few Jewish families.
214
00:16:34,725 --> 00:16:38,545
I don't know how many
but I'm sure they were.
215
00:16:39,145 --> 00:16:41,725
Rumors were circulating
about different families.
216
00:16:45,605 --> 00:16:49,805
The relentless attack of the Germans
cornered the Allies on the entire front.
217
00:16:50,105 --> 00:16:53,965
Holland was out of the war, and armored
from Army Groups A and B
218
00:16:54,185 --> 00:16:58,125
were advancing towards the French Ninth Army,
which had fallen apart.
219
00:16:58,485 --> 00:17:01,545
German 12th and 16th Armies,
after crossing the Meuse,
220
00:17:01,745 --> 00:17:04,785
they were a danger
for the rearguard of the Allies.
221
00:17:07,285 --> 00:17:11,045
The Parisians tried to appeal
to the mercy of the Almighty.
222
00:17:12,345 --> 00:17:16,345
In these moments of restriction,
the French are called to prayer.
223
00:17:16,685 --> 00:17:20,565
At the Notre-Dame Cathedral they officiate
a special prayer service.
224
00:17:20,845 --> 00:17:22,785
Prime Minister Reynaud takes part in it
225
00:17:23,065 --> 00:17:25,565
and Mr. Daladier, together
with the American ambassador.
226
00:17:28,825 --> 00:17:30,705
On the day of the surrender of Holland,
227
00:17:30,905 --> 00:17:34,405
the French prime minister called him
his British counterpart.
228
00:17:34,685 --> 00:17:40,405
Paul Reynaud said: "We are
defeat. I lost the battle."
229
00:17:40,805 --> 00:17:46,045
To this Churchill replied:
"It can't be done in such a short time."
230
00:17:48,925 --> 00:17:50,405
But it was possible.
231
00:17:54,285 --> 00:17:56,085
In the discussion with Churchill,
232
00:17:56,285 --> 00:17:59,045
Reynaud was influenced
by the news received from the front
233
00:17:59,245 --> 00:18:02,065
like that, if you can say
that a single action led
234
00:18:02,265 --> 00:18:06,585
to seal the fate of France,
that was the battle of Sedan.
235
00:18:07,705 --> 00:18:10,025
On September 1, 1870,
236
00:18:10,265 --> 00:18:13,745
the Prussian force had shattered
the French army at Sedan,
237
00:18:13,985 --> 00:18:15,725
he had forced the emperor to abdicate
238
00:18:15,925 --> 00:18:20,645
and had promoted the unification of Germany,
under the leadership of a Prussian kaizer.
239
00:18:21,705 --> 00:18:26,245
This event echoes from history
and intensify the importance of the battle
240
00:18:26,445 --> 00:18:29,345
which was given now
exactly in the same place.
241
00:18:31,465 --> 00:18:35,505
On May 16, the Allies began
to withdraw from Belgium.
242
00:18:35,805 --> 00:18:40,805
The next day, the battle of Sedan
ended with the victory of Germany.
243
00:18:42,385 --> 00:18:48,405
In seven days, the Germans had advanced
320 km, they had crossed the river Meuse
244
00:18:48,705 --> 00:18:51,985
and they had surprised the Allies
from behind, discover.
245
00:18:52,225 --> 00:18:53,925
On the seventh day of the invasion,
246
00:18:54,125 --> 00:18:57,385
the city of Brussels fell into their hands,
the capital of Belgium.
247
00:18:58,465 --> 00:19:03,085
The German tanks were already filling up
at local gas stations.
248
00:19:03,385 --> 00:19:07,765
German soldiers were seen
milking the cows left in the field.
249
00:19:08,125 --> 00:19:13,085
In support of tanks and infantry,
the artillery and the Luftwaffe were coming.
250
00:19:14,425 --> 00:19:18,225
German aviation had to support
ground operations.
251
00:19:18,525 --> 00:19:21,965
Subsequent deficiencies will be caused
precisely because of this priority.
252
00:19:22,165 --> 00:19:26,925
In the mission to invade France,
but there was no shortage.
253
00:19:27,925 --> 00:19:30,085
German bombers
dominated the sky
254
00:19:30,285 --> 00:19:33,465
and on soldiers and civilians
nothing scared them more
255
00:19:33,765 --> 00:19:38,085
than noisy proximity
of Junkers 87 planes, "Stuka",
256
00:19:39,065 --> 00:19:43,785
abbreviation of sturzkampfflugzeug,
"dive bomber".
257
00:19:44,025 --> 00:19:46,545
Equipped with a scary device,
258
00:19:46,745 --> 00:19:51,725
called by the Germans Jericho-trumpet,
"Trumpet of Jericho",
259
00:19:51,925 --> 00:19:55,645
a propeller driven siren,
which sounded like the approaching plane
260
00:19:55,845 --> 00:20:00,605
to seem, in his lamentations, the same
menacing as a fabulous beast.
261
00:20:08,885 --> 00:20:11,285
Landing at Calais,
I didn't understand what was happening.
262
00:20:11,585 --> 00:20:14,605
The restaurant at the quay had
all windows broken.
263
00:20:15,105 --> 00:20:19,085
I was puzzled. I didn't care
I still don't know what happened.
264
00:20:20,325 --> 00:20:23,945
Airplanes suddenly appeared,
in the wail of sirens.
265
00:20:24,505 --> 00:20:28,765
The sound of dropped bombs
combined with the wails of the sirens.
266
00:20:29,225 --> 00:20:34,565
We rushed to the sand,
we wanted to enter the ground.
267
00:20:35,385 --> 00:20:38,645
Fear simply knocks you down.
268
00:20:39,065 --> 00:20:42,125
I realized then
that it was war.
269
00:20:44,605 --> 00:20:49,225
On May 19, General Weygand replaced him
on Gamelin, the commander of the Allies,
270
00:20:49,525 --> 00:20:51,145
but it was too late.
271
00:20:51,825 --> 00:20:55,825
Rommel's 7th Panzer Division
had arrived in Cambrai on May 18,
272
00:20:56,025 --> 00:20:58,805
and on May 20
German tanks have arrived
273
00:20:59,005 --> 00:21:01,745
at the English Channel
and at the mouth of the river Somme,
274
00:21:02,045 --> 00:21:05,685
where so much blood had been shed
in the First World War.
275
00:21:09,165 --> 00:21:13,205
This advance effectively separated
the Allied armies in two.
276
00:21:16,545 --> 00:21:18,285
The Allies tried to counterattack,
277
00:21:18,485 --> 00:21:22,685
but, while the Germans
they had concentrated 2,700 tanks,
278
00:21:23,585 --> 00:21:27,145
The Allies still considered the tank
only an infantry support weapon
279
00:21:27,445 --> 00:21:29,645
and they had indulged themselves
the 3,000 armored
280
00:21:29,845 --> 00:21:33,165
along the entire front.
281
00:21:33,845 --> 00:21:37,885
Nor the British counteroffensives and
French were not well coordinated,
282
00:21:38,185 --> 00:21:42,185
so the advance of the Germans
it was only briefly disturbed.
283
00:21:43,025 --> 00:21:47,005
After the feeble attack of the Allies,
the Germans took it north,
284
00:21:47,705 --> 00:21:50,665
to win the trophy
which had escaped the Kaiser's troops
285
00:21:50,865 --> 00:21:54,985
25 years ago:
the ports of the English Channel.
286
00:21:55,785 --> 00:21:57,385
Boulogne fell on May 25,
287
00:21:57,585 --> 00:22:01,265
and Calais, although strongly defended
by the British, on May 27.
288
00:22:01,545 --> 00:22:05,045
Before, however,
an order that puzzled many
289
00:22:05,245 --> 00:22:07,825
changed the specifics of the fights.
290
00:22:08,265 --> 00:22:13,005
On May 24, Army Group A
joined Army Group B
291
00:22:13,205 --> 00:22:18,085
and von Kleist's Group stopped
less than 25 km from Dunkirk,
292
00:22:18,285 --> 00:22:22,305
where he was only resisted by a
single French division, lower level,
293
00:22:22,505 --> 00:22:24,985
and a British infantry force
without moisture.
294
00:22:25,305 --> 00:22:30,585
And then, in a turn
as we only see in war,
295
00:22:30,885 --> 00:22:33,085
they were ordered to stop.
296
00:22:35,485 --> 00:22:37,285
The day after the stop order,
297
00:22:37,585 --> 00:22:40,185
Hitler visited the base
Army Group A
298
00:22:40,385 --> 00:22:43,885
and confirmed the decision
to von Rundstedt.
299
00:22:44,505 --> 00:22:46,965
We doubt it
because we see in retrospect
300
00:22:47,205 --> 00:22:50,805
how frail was the French resistance
further
301
00:22:51,045 --> 00:22:54,345
and how easily the French capitulated.
302
00:22:55,845 --> 00:23:01,345
The bulk of the French army had not been
still defeated by Hitler's generals.
303
00:23:01,645 --> 00:23:05,505
After two weeks of fierce fighting,
many German armored units
304
00:23:05,705 --> 00:23:09,365
They had lost 30% of their tanks.
305
00:23:10,985 --> 00:23:15,545
He was careful to pause
to reorganize and re-equip.
306
00:23:15,945 --> 00:23:19,985
They had no way of knowing
that they did not need caution.
307
00:23:24,885 --> 00:23:28,185
On May 25, the next day
after Hitler's visit to the front,
308
00:23:28,485 --> 00:23:31,345
Lord Gort, the Commander
British Expeditionary Force,
309
00:23:31,645 --> 00:23:35,025
was informed by the Belgians,
at the head of which was King Leopold,
310
00:23:35,225 --> 00:23:37,665
that I am in a desperate situation.
311
00:23:37,985 --> 00:23:42,905
Gort decided he had a duty to save himself
the army, to fight another day,
312
00:23:43,245 --> 00:23:47,145
not to see her sacrificed
for a lost cause.
313
00:23:47,445 --> 00:23:50,345
He began to withdraw his forces
from Dunkirk,
314
00:23:50,645 --> 00:23:54,625
and the next day, May 26,
evacuated 28,000 soldiers,
315
00:23:54,825 --> 00:23:59,325
which were not vital to the capacity
battle of the British corps.
316
00:24:00,665 --> 00:24:05,185
The road from Boulogne was crowded
of moving bodies.
317
00:24:05,425 --> 00:24:07,365
I don't know how else to tell them.
318
00:24:08,485 --> 00:24:10,385
They didn't look human.
319
00:24:10,685 --> 00:24:15,525
Men, women, children, with suitcases,
in horse-drawn carts.
320
00:24:16,205 --> 00:24:18,345
The children didn't talk, they didn't play.
321
00:24:19,885 --> 00:24:24,325
Everyone was staring straight ahead.
322
00:24:25,605 --> 00:24:27,165
They had no destination.
323
00:24:30,125 --> 00:24:33,265
Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring,
commander of the German Air Force,
324
00:24:33,465 --> 00:24:36,285
was glad that the liquidation
troops trapped at Dunkirk
325
00:24:36,485 --> 00:24:38,645
it will fall to the Luftwaffe.
326
00:24:38,985 --> 00:24:41,625
But neither the Luftwaffe
could not complete the mission.
327
00:24:41,945 --> 00:24:44,425
The bombers could not find it
targets at night,
328
00:24:44,625 --> 00:24:47,585
and fighter jets
they could not act properly.
329
00:24:57,205 --> 00:25:01,305
There was another miracle that saved
troops at Dunkirk.
330
00:25:01,625 --> 00:25:07,945
Throughout the operation,
The English Channel was calm.
331
00:25:08,585 --> 00:25:12,905
On May 26, the stop order was
revoked, but it was too late.
332
00:25:13,205 --> 00:25:18,005
An army had gathered,
the perimeter to be defended had been established
333
00:25:18,305 --> 00:25:23,845
and 330,000 allied soldiers were there
to Dunkirk to be evacuated.
334
00:25:24,765 --> 00:25:27,345
222 ships had come
of the British Navy
335
00:25:27,645 --> 00:25:31,925
and about 860 civilian ships.
336
00:25:33,265 --> 00:25:36,165
Instead of the number hoped for, 45,000,
337
00:25:36,465 --> 00:25:41,725
the fleet took 338,000 soldiers
from the Allied troops.
338
00:25:44,105 --> 00:25:48,725
On the way to the port they bombed us.
I threw myself in the ditch several times.
339
00:25:49,025 --> 00:25:51,345
The harbor was full of sunken ships.
340
00:25:51,845 --> 00:25:54,045
I saw someone
running down the quay in front of me.
341
00:25:54,245 --> 00:25:58,225
But still then I saw
and the smoke coming out of the steamer's chimney.
342
00:25:58,425 --> 00:25:59,725
I drove madly
343
00:25:59,925 --> 00:26:02,945
and I managed to climb up
just as it was breaking away from the keys.
344
00:26:09,565 --> 00:26:12,245
40% of those evacuated
from Dunkirk,
345
00:26:12,445 --> 00:26:16,065
170,000 men,
they were French soldiers.
346
00:26:16,345 --> 00:26:21,565
They were left in the south-west of France,
to continue the fight.
347
00:26:22,145 --> 00:26:26,305
After the capitulation of France,
they are done with the war.
348
00:26:32,965 --> 00:26:36,925
The Dunkirk evacuation saved
the bulk of the British Expeditionary Force,
349
00:26:37,385 --> 00:26:40,625
but these soldiers
they were effectively disarmed.
350
00:26:40,825 --> 00:26:46,405
They had left 64,000 vehicles behind
and 2,500 heavy weapons.
351
00:26:46,705 --> 00:26:51,325
The evacuees were exhausted
in all respects,
352
00:26:51,625 --> 00:26:56,705
but they were not defeated
nor pursued by the Germans.
353
00:26:58,645 --> 00:27:00,025
When I was recruited,
354
00:27:00,905 --> 00:27:05,945
I did instruction
as for the First World War.
355
00:27:06,285 --> 00:27:09,745
At the end of the Enfield rifle
it was a 45 cm bayonet.
356
00:27:11,045 --> 00:27:13,805
And... I was jumping in the trenches
and out of them,
357
00:27:14,045 --> 00:27:18,345
we were attacking piles of branches
or straw bags
358
00:27:18,705 --> 00:27:20,045
and I was stabbing them with the bayonet.
359
00:27:20,365 --> 00:27:25,125
As soon as we got to Dunkirk,
during the war
360
00:27:25,405 --> 00:27:28,965
I found out there was another way
to fight, which was called blitzkrieg.
361
00:27:29,425 --> 00:27:32,205
This is what the Germans showed us.
362
00:27:35,045 --> 00:27:37,605
The evacuation took place
until June 4,
363
00:27:37,805 --> 00:27:40,185
when the Germans entered
in Dunkirk.
364
00:27:41,105 --> 00:27:45,005
The next day they resumed their offensive
to the south, in France.
365
00:27:45,305 --> 00:27:48,325
On May 9, the French were already there
driven from the Somme.
366
00:27:48,525 --> 00:27:53,005
The result was predictable.
Anticipating victory, on May 10,
367
00:27:53,325 --> 00:27:56,485
Mussollini declared war
Great Britain and France,
368
00:27:56,685 --> 00:28:00,165
and the French government
he left Paris.
369
00:28:03,085 --> 00:28:05,065
Mussollini's caution
it's understandable.
370
00:28:05,265 --> 00:28:08,385
The Italian army was even smaller
and less endowed
371
00:28:08,685 --> 00:28:11,305
than it had been in 1915.
372
00:28:16,245 --> 00:28:19,805
On June 11,
Paris was declared an open city,
373
00:28:20,005 --> 00:28:23,605
in the hope that he will escape this way
of bombings and will not be destroyed.
374
00:28:23,905 --> 00:28:29,805
On June 14, General Bogislav von Studnitz
led the 87th Infantry Division
375
00:28:30,005 --> 00:28:33,565
on the almost deserted streets
of the capital of France.
376
00:28:34,565 --> 00:28:36,525
The next day, on June 15,
377
00:28:36,825 --> 00:28:43,165
400,000 French from the Third Armies,
the 5th and 8th surrendered en masse.
378
00:28:45,245 --> 00:28:48,305
On the other side of Europe,
in an opportunistic move,
379
00:28:48,585 --> 00:28:51,085
Soviet Union
expanded his empire,
380
00:28:51,365 --> 00:28:56,205
occupying Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia,
sovereign countries.
381
00:28:59,725 --> 00:29:03,125
On June 17, Marshal Pétain,
aged 86,
382
00:29:03,365 --> 00:29:06,185
the hero of Verdun,
from the First World War,
383
00:29:06,385 --> 00:29:09,405
whose recall to Paris
from the post of ambassador to Spain
384
00:29:09,605 --> 00:29:11,665
had been greeted with cheers,
385
00:29:11,905 --> 00:29:17,605
announced that he had become the head of state
and that he wants a truce.
386
00:29:21,625 --> 00:29:25,625
Panic in France that this announcement
he should have shattered it
387
00:29:25,925 --> 00:29:29,025
is suggestively illustrated by the fact
that 8,000,000 French
388
00:29:29,325 --> 00:29:33,765
they had abandoned their homes
since the invasion had begun.
389
00:29:36,665 --> 00:29:42,025
Seeing civilians attacked in the street
by a German fighter plane,
390
00:29:42,325 --> 00:29:47,285
a British pilot said:
"I really am all shit!"
391
00:29:52,145 --> 00:29:56,225
The Dutch and Belgian Governments,
although the King of Belgium remained in the country,
392
00:29:56,525 --> 00:30:00,925
they went into exile and many prayed
and the French government to do the same.
393
00:30:01,265 --> 00:30:04,385
Possibly to move
in the North African colonies
394
00:30:04,585 --> 00:30:07,205
and continue the fight from there.
395
00:30:07,905 --> 00:30:13,485
But Marshal Pétain's government
he chose to surrender.
396
00:30:14,465 --> 00:30:17,745
An editorial from
O comércio do Porto,
397
00:30:18,045 --> 00:30:21,925
newspaper from Portugal, where he was
dictator Antonio Salazar,
398
00:30:22,145 --> 00:30:27,905
declare that "war is
a pitiful advertisement for democracy."
399
00:30:30,392 --> 00:30:34,092
While this disaster was unfolding
military, in England it was discussed
400
00:30:34,292 --> 00:30:37,632
about the displacement of the royal family
in Canada.
401
00:30:37,912 --> 00:30:40,732
A faction of the British government,
led by Lord Halifax,
402
00:30:40,932 --> 00:30:46,932
the foreign minister, preferred as prime minister
by the Chamberlain and the King
403
00:30:47,232 --> 00:30:49,492
proposed to grope
the possibility of making peace,
404
00:30:49,792 --> 00:30:52,372
taking Mussollini as an intermediary.
405
00:30:52,652 --> 00:30:55,332
But Halifax had refused
the office of prime minister,
406
00:30:55,632 --> 00:31:00,792
and the one who had received it
he had no intention of proceeding like this.
407
00:31:01,092 --> 00:31:04,652
Winston Churchill started at once
to mobilize the weapon
408
00:31:04,852 --> 00:31:08,312
which he will use
with considerable effects in war:
409
00:31:08,632 --> 00:31:10,532
the english language.
410
00:31:11,108 --> 00:31:15,628
The inspiring speech of Mr
Churchill energized us all.
411
00:31:16,228 --> 00:31:19,428
I tried repeatedly
let's prevent this war.
412
00:31:21,468 --> 00:31:25,268
For peace,
I tolerated many events
413
00:31:25,588 --> 00:31:27,388
which should not have happened.
414
00:31:28,128 --> 00:31:32,288
But now we are at war
and we will fight.
415
00:31:33,268 --> 00:31:35,588
We will not give up and we will fight
416
00:31:36,008 --> 00:31:39,248
til he gets fed up
the other camp.
417
00:31:40,068 --> 00:31:45,608
If it seems to you that Churchill has not
the same impassioned speech as prime minister,
418
00:31:45,888 --> 00:31:49,968
it is because the prime minister
he didn't have time to go to the television
419
00:31:50,208 --> 00:31:53,748
and record the speeches
spoken in the House of Commons,
420
00:31:54,048 --> 00:31:56,548
which was not equipped for transmission.
421
00:31:56,808 --> 00:31:59,548
That's how an actor does it
named Norman Shelley,
422
00:32:00,008 --> 00:32:03,508
the voice of Larry the lamb
on a BBC children's show,
423
00:32:03,808 --> 00:32:08,588
he "lent" Churchill's voice
on several radio shows.
424
00:32:10,948 --> 00:32:16,008
On June 18, Marshal Pétain
took the place of Prime Minister Reynaud.
425
00:32:16,208 --> 00:32:19,668
On the same day, Churchill, in a
speech delivered in the House of Commons,
426
00:32:19,868 --> 00:32:24,108
declared that if the British Empire
and its community of nations
427
00:32:24,408 --> 00:32:26,108
last a thousand years,
428
00:32:26,408 --> 00:32:30,808
then people will say that
this was their hour of glory.
429
00:32:31,688 --> 00:32:34,788
But it wasn't
and the glory hour of France.
430
00:32:35,948 --> 00:32:39,688
On the same day, Charles de Gaulle
gave a radio speech in London.
431
00:32:40,768 --> 00:32:42,228
He told the French
432
00:32:42,528 --> 00:32:45,908
that the Battle of France had not decided
the outcome of the war.
433
00:32:46,208 --> 00:32:48,048
"It's a world war."
434
00:32:48,288 --> 00:32:52,828
"We believe that the honor of the French
depends on his continuation"
435
00:32:53,128 --> 00:32:55,248
"along with our allies."
436
00:32:55,528 --> 00:32:59,028
Then I boarded a ship.
437
00:32:59,228 --> 00:33:05,728
I left France in June 1940,
when he capitulated.
438
00:33:05,928 --> 00:33:07,828
I went to England.
439
00:33:09,608 --> 00:33:14,368
Then I learned that de Gaulle was continuing
to fight alongside the British.
440
00:33:16,208 --> 00:33:21,968
We've been trying to find out where he is
de Gaulle. No one seemed to know.
441
00:33:22,168 --> 00:33:28,088
After several days of research,
we decided to meet.
442
00:33:28,288 --> 00:33:32,448
And we met on July 13, 1940.
443
00:33:33,688 --> 00:33:35,688
On the day when de Gaulle
he addressed his compatriots,
444
00:33:35,888 --> 00:33:41,268
Churchill said in his speech:
"The Battle of France is over."
445
00:33:41,568 --> 00:33:45,588
"I expect
let the Battle of Britain begin."
446
00:33:46,508 --> 00:33:49,948
As history is full of bizarre ironies,
the speeches were made
447
00:33:50,148 --> 00:33:54,548
on the day that marked 125 years
from the Battle of Waterloo,
448
00:33:54,748 --> 00:33:57,648
when Britain
and her German allies
449
00:33:57,948 --> 00:34:00,728
they had defeated the French
led by Napoleon.
450
00:34:03,268 --> 00:34:07,348
By June 17, Britain had suffered
the biggest maritime disaster,
451
00:34:07,548 --> 00:34:10,568
three times worse
than that of the Titanic.
452
00:34:10,888 --> 00:34:12,668
The Lancastria parcel boat
of Cunard Lines,
453
00:34:12,868 --> 00:34:17,188
which carried between 6,000 and 9,000
of evacuees, soldiers and civilians,
454
00:34:17,488 --> 00:34:20,728
left in France
after the Dunkirk operation,
455
00:34:21,028 --> 00:34:23,388
had been sunk
by a German plane.
456
00:34:23,668 --> 00:34:26,788
Only 2,500 were saved.
457
00:34:27,088 --> 00:34:30,908
Churchill asked
not to find out about the catastrophe.
458
00:34:31,208 --> 00:34:34,988
He considered that the British had that too
part of too much bad news.
459
00:34:35,608 --> 00:34:37,408
On June 20, the city of Lyon fell
460
00:34:37,708 --> 00:34:40,888
and an agreement was reached
ceasefire in France.
461
00:34:41,195 --> 00:34:45,375
The Germans took prisoners better
of 1,500,000 French soldiers.
462
00:34:45,675 --> 00:34:49,495
When de Gaulle made a call
to continue to resist,
463
00:34:49,735 --> 00:34:53,315
General Weygand, the commander
supreme, he said it was nonsense.
464
00:34:53,615 --> 00:34:55,715
He stated that in three weeks
465
00:34:56,015 --> 00:34:59,295
England's neck will be broken
like a chicken.
466
00:34:59,775 --> 00:35:05,495
"What a chicken and what a neck",
Churchill would later remark.
467
00:35:06,715 --> 00:35:10,595
The official capitulation of France
it was signed on June 22.
468
00:35:10,935 --> 00:35:14,515
France, even if not all French,
he was out of the war.
469
00:35:14,815 --> 00:35:18,535
The German Emperor, who had abdicated
at the end of the First World War,
470
00:35:18,835 --> 00:35:21,995
sent a telegram to Hitler
from Holland, where he was in exile.
471
00:35:22,295 --> 00:35:28,315
"My Führer,
I congratulate you and hope"
472
00:35:28,615 --> 00:35:32,335
"for the German monarchy to be restored
under your remarkable command."
473
00:35:32,735 --> 00:35:37,155
Hitler turned to his valet
he said to himself: "What a fool!"
474
00:35:44,135 --> 00:35:48,935
The Blitzkrieg was a disaster
military, but not a defeat.
475
00:35:50,995 --> 00:35:55,095
The French army was still in the field
of fighting when the government capitulated.
476
00:35:55,295 --> 00:36:00,115
After the armistice, 1,700 aircraft
fighting French
477
00:36:00,415 --> 00:36:04,795
were found through airfields
from the unoccupied area.
478
00:36:05,115 --> 00:36:08,635
They had never fought
against the Germans.
479
00:36:12,915 --> 00:36:16,515
France capitulated
not because she had been defeated,
480
00:36:16,815 --> 00:36:18,675
but because he surrendered.
481
00:36:20,435 --> 00:36:23,235
The Vichy regime became
the french government.
482
00:36:23,535 --> 00:36:26,615
Vichy was the small spa resort
became the capital.
483
00:36:26,915 --> 00:36:28,475
This regimen counts
484
00:36:28,675 --> 00:36:32,575
among the most controversial topics
of the Second World War.
485
00:36:33,515 --> 00:36:37,475
Marshal Philippe Pétain acted
as a shield, in the interest of France?
486
00:36:37,775 --> 00:36:41,615
Had he thus saved his country?
the humiliation of total defeat?
487
00:36:41,915 --> 00:36:44,955
Or he was satisfied
to reach an agreement quickly
488
00:36:45,155 --> 00:36:49,595
with Hitler's ideology,
that he can even sympathize with?
489
00:36:50,235 --> 00:36:54,915
In 1934, when the dictators were starting
to rise to power,
490
00:36:55,115 --> 00:36:59,475
the French newspaper Le Petit Journal
made a survey.
491
00:36:59,995 --> 00:37:03,535
France had 42 weak governments
in the interwar period.
492
00:37:03,775 --> 00:37:05,175
The survey question was
493
00:37:05,475 --> 00:37:08,215
who will take power
and establish the dictatorship.
494
00:37:08,715 --> 00:37:13,395
Everyone's favorite was Pétain,
with 200,000 votes.
495
00:37:13,695 --> 00:37:15,735
Pierre Laval came in second place,
496
00:37:16,035 --> 00:37:18,375
who would become
the prime minister of the Vichy regime.
497
00:37:18,675 --> 00:37:21,035
He received 31,000 votes.
498
00:37:21,395 --> 00:37:26,315
When Pétain formed his government,
abolished the Republic.
499
00:37:27,755 --> 00:37:31,455
He gave up the motto
used since the Revolution,
500
00:37:31,835 --> 00:37:33,655
"liberty, equality, fraternity",
501
00:37:33,955 --> 00:37:40,515
and replaced it with "travail, famille, patrie",
"work, family, homeland".
502
00:37:40,815 --> 00:37:44,475
Pétain said that France would be
a new society
503
00:37:45,015 --> 00:37:49,915
which rejected the false idea
of equality between people.
504
00:37:52,155 --> 00:37:57,855
Through the armistice signed by Pétain,
Germany occupied 3/5 of France:
505
00:37:58,195 --> 00:38:01,675
industrial center,
border region with Germany,
506
00:38:01,875 --> 00:38:04,995
the entire Atlantic coast
and the northern coast.
507
00:38:05,575 --> 00:38:08,215
The Vichy government ruled the country
just by name
508
00:38:08,415 --> 00:38:11,255
because in reality
he had full sovereignty
509
00:38:11,455 --> 00:38:15,755
only on the so-called Zone libre,
"free zone".
510
00:38:16,555 --> 00:38:20,195
Pétain also agreed to pay
all costs of occupation,
511
00:38:20,395 --> 00:38:23,295
which were greatly exaggerated
by the Germans.
512
00:38:23,875 --> 00:38:27,815
With everything, it seems that France
would have contributed 42%
513
00:38:28,015 --> 00:38:31,635
to the foreign aid received by the Reich
during the war.
514
00:38:32,495 --> 00:38:34,515
Provisions from the farms
and the French factories,
515
00:38:34,715 --> 00:38:37,175
working hand
for factories in Germany,
516
00:38:37,375 --> 00:38:39,595
the purchase
of French military equipment
517
00:38:39,795 --> 00:38:44,275
and continued detention in Germany
of 1,500,000 French prisoners
518
00:38:44,575 --> 00:38:48,515
were the elements
this unilateral truce.
519
00:38:50,475 --> 00:38:54,915
France was allowed to keep it
the colonial empire and the navy.
520
00:38:55,215 --> 00:39:00,735
It was the French fleet that made the government
British to be very worried.
521
00:39:01,035 --> 00:39:06,315
That's why he asked for insurance
that it will not end up in the hands of the Axis.
522
00:39:06,655 --> 00:39:08,355
Not getting insurance,
523
00:39:08,655 --> 00:39:12,055
the British navy blockaded the fleet
in North African bases
524
00:39:12,355 --> 00:39:14,835
from Mers-al-Kébir and Oran.
525
00:39:17,415 --> 00:39:21,415
On July 3, Admiral James Somerville
he conveyed his conditions
526
00:39:21,615 --> 00:39:24,995
the French admiral
Marcel-Bruno Gensoul.
527
00:39:25,675 --> 00:39:29,655
"Although we were comrades until now,
it is impossible for us"
528
00:39:29,955 --> 00:39:35,315
"let us leave your wonderful fleet
to fall into the hands of the Germans."
529
00:39:35,615 --> 00:39:38,635
"The British government asked me
to request you"
530
00:39:38,935 --> 00:39:45,695
"to act by choosing
one of the following options."
531
00:39:45,995 --> 00:39:49,775
"To join us,
to be boarded or to leave"
532
00:39:49,975 --> 00:39:53,795
"with reduced crews towards a port
French from the West Indies,"
533
00:39:54,035 --> 00:39:57,195
"where to be demilitarized,
to our satisfaction,"
534
00:39:57,495 --> 00:40:00,975
"or to be entrusted eventually
United States of America."
535
00:40:01,555 --> 00:40:05,575
"If the above are not respected
up, I got a mandate from the government"
536
00:40:05,875 --> 00:40:08,035
"to use all forces"
537
00:40:08,235 --> 00:40:12,575
"to prevent the fall of the fleet
yours in the hands of Germany."
538
00:40:13,075 --> 00:40:16,375
But Admiral Gensoul
did not agree.
539
00:40:16,895 --> 00:40:19,095
So Somerville opened fire.
540
00:40:36,955 --> 00:40:39,795
The first conflict
between the English and French armies
541
00:40:39,995 --> 00:40:41,375
from Waterloo onwards
542
00:40:41,775 --> 00:40:46,755
resulted in 1,297 victims
from the French camp,
543
00:40:47,475 --> 00:40:50,635
sinking a battleship,
damage to five other ships
544
00:40:50,835 --> 00:40:53,875
and degradation
Anglo-French relations.
545
00:41:04,015 --> 00:41:05,795
Britain was left alone,
546
00:41:06,095 --> 00:41:10,195
but thanks to the Dunkirk evacuation,
he still had at least an army vest.
547
00:41:10,495 --> 00:41:14,295
The war was far from over.
548
00:41:14,595 --> 00:41:18,295
British Expeditionary Force
represent, let's not forget,
549
00:41:18,595 --> 00:41:21,655
only a small part of the forces
available to UK
550
00:41:21,855 --> 00:41:25,275
within an empire
pretty united
551
00:41:25,615 --> 00:41:31,515
empire that mobilizes to help her,
as in the previous generation.
552
00:41:31,815 --> 00:41:35,175
Those from the dominions would show themselves
and availability
553
00:41:35,375 --> 00:41:37,115
to pay the price of empire.
554
00:41:37,435 --> 00:41:42,215
Only in May and June
since 1940
555
00:41:42,995 --> 00:41:47,275
I found out that the UK
he had his back to the wall
556
00:41:47,675 --> 00:41:50,835
and it seemed that it was going to be invaded
by the Nazis.
557
00:41:51,195 --> 00:41:57,035
All of Australia was fired up
of patriotic demonstrations
558
00:41:57,635 --> 00:42:01,495
and thousands of Australians,
no exaggeration,
559
00:42:01,795 --> 00:42:06,555
they were running away to enlist
and to jump to the aid of Great Britain.
560
00:42:07,595 --> 00:42:11,075
But the price of empire
it was not divided equally.
561
00:42:11,475 --> 00:42:14,875
Among the French troops left behind
to fall into the hands of the Germans
562
00:42:15,175 --> 00:42:18,815
there were also thousands of Africans
from the French colonies.
563
00:42:19,095 --> 00:42:24,135
About 10,000 were killed in the fighting,
and, of those taken prisoners,
564
00:42:24,435 --> 00:42:29,275
it is estimated that no less
of 3,000 were shot immediately,
565
00:42:29,575 --> 00:42:32,155
on racial grounds.
566
00:42:33,635 --> 00:42:36,895
After the evacuation from Dunkirk
and the capitulation of France,
567
00:42:37,195 --> 00:42:41,855
the order was given for all the bells
from the British churches that resounded on Sundays
568
00:42:42,155 --> 00:42:46,955
to knock only to warn
regarding a possible invasion.
569
00:42:47,275 --> 00:42:53,335
Everyone expected Germany
to invade the British Isles.
570
00:42:53,635 --> 00:42:58,295
After all, numerically speaking,
how many soldiers had returned to England,
571
00:42:58,495 --> 00:43:02,895
if the Germans invaded it, they had
less resistance to be encountered
572
00:43:03,195 --> 00:43:07,075
than the one they had succeeded in
to crush it in Belgium and Holland.
573
00:43:07,375 --> 00:43:09,655
Instead of an invasion,
mid july
574
00:43:09,855 --> 00:43:12,355
Luftwaffe dropped leaflets
over England.
575
00:43:12,655 --> 00:43:16,435
They carried the title
"A last call to reason".
576
00:43:16,835 --> 00:43:19,215
On July 19, Hitler said:
577
00:43:19,515 --> 00:43:22,455
"I consider it my duty,
to have a clear conscience,"
578
00:43:22,655 --> 00:43:26,895
"to appeal to reason again and
discernment from Great Britain."
579
00:43:27,195 --> 00:43:31,395
Controversy about sincerity
the peace offer made to Great Britain
580
00:43:31,695 --> 00:43:34,875
and the possibility of peace
it persists today.
581
00:43:35,175 --> 00:43:37,775
Hitler would speak
until the moment of death
582
00:43:37,975 --> 00:43:41,075
of the war
"which was shoved down my neck"
583
00:43:41,315 --> 00:43:45,075
and he was talking about Churchill
that he is an instigator.
584
00:43:45,355 --> 00:43:48,275
Hello! Good luck to everyone!
585
00:43:48,775 --> 00:43:53,255
Keep it up. It's good.
You all have a role to play
586
00:43:53,555 --> 00:43:57,575
When Churchill became Prime Minister,
his country was already at war.
587
00:43:57,775 --> 00:44:02,995
The evidence of destructive ambitions
Hitler's were overwhelming.
588
00:44:03,315 --> 00:44:07,875
Maybe peace would have been possible,
but it is not to be believed
589
00:44:08,075 --> 00:44:10,455
that he could have endured
590
00:44:10,755 --> 00:44:15,495
or that Britain would have been
treated better than France,
591
00:44:15,835 --> 00:44:19,315
obliged to allow the occupation,
left without an armed force
592
00:44:19,615 --> 00:44:21,195
and forced to pay a sum
593
00:44:21,395 --> 00:44:25,255
50 times higher
than the real costs of the occupation.
594
00:44:25,655 --> 00:44:27,615
Churchill wanted no such thing.
595
00:44:27,915 --> 00:44:31,455
In his first important speech,
told the British:
596
00:44:31,655 --> 00:44:33,795
"We will go forward to the end."
597
00:44:33,995 --> 00:44:37,235
"We will fight on seas and oceans."
598
00:44:37,435 --> 00:44:42,175
"We will defend our island at all costs."
599
00:44:42,375 --> 00:44:46,515
"We will never surrender"
he promised the people.
600
00:44:47,955 --> 00:44:49,535
And he was sincere.
601
00:44:50,915 --> 00:44:54,015
That's why
exactly on this date, July 18,
602
00:44:54,215 --> 00:44:57,315
the day before the declaration
Hitler's appeaser,
603
00:44:57,655 --> 00:45:00,435
Churchill closed the Burma Road.
604
00:45:02,475 --> 00:45:07,475
Although the conflicts in the East
and the West had not yet merged,
605
00:45:07,675 --> 00:45:10,515
the conflagration was already worldwide.
606
00:45:11,515 --> 00:45:14,295
Burma
was part of the British Empire.
607
00:45:14,495 --> 00:45:19,515
It was the achievement of Churchill's father,
Lord Randolph Churchill.
608
00:45:19,815 --> 00:45:25,775
And on that road, on which the trucks
they advanced one by one
609
00:45:26,095 --> 00:45:29,175
were transported
up to 30,000 t of supplies per day,
610
00:45:29,475 --> 00:45:32,535
to support China's struggle
against Japan.
611
00:45:33,355 --> 00:45:36,075
On July 18, 1940,
612
00:45:36,375 --> 00:45:39,095
Churchill, the great adversary
of concessions,
613
00:45:39,295 --> 00:45:43,515
succumbed to Japanese pressure
and closed the Burma Road.
614
00:45:43,835 --> 00:45:46,015
Later he would defend himself
the decision saying
615
00:45:46,215 --> 00:45:51,935
that maintaining the road
could have led to "something dangerous".
616
00:45:52,395 --> 00:45:57,015
"Something dangerous" meant
for Japan to handle the situation,
617
00:45:57,315 --> 00:46:02,935
that is, to attack Burma and force
Britain to fight on two fronts.
618
00:46:03,475 --> 00:46:07,455
But neither the concessions granted to Japan
they could not prevent the danger.
619
00:46:07,955 --> 00:46:10,975
On the day when
Churchill closed the road,
620
00:46:11,275 --> 00:46:15,795
in Japan the military party triumphed,
and General Hideki Tojo,
621
00:46:15,995 --> 00:46:19,515
who would later become famous
as prime minister during the war,
622
00:46:19,815 --> 00:46:22,115
he was becoming minister of war.
623
00:46:22,955 --> 00:46:26,595
After a few days, Japan announced
that he aims to create
624
00:46:26,795 --> 00:46:30,335
a large "Coprosperity Sphere"
in East Asia.
625
00:46:31,115 --> 00:46:34,735
In September 1940,
Japan occupied Indochina
626
00:46:35,035 --> 00:46:39,335
and signed a tripartite agreement
with Rome and Berlin.
627
00:46:41,295 --> 00:46:45,975
The danger that befell the British Empire
in the East it became more and more real.
628
00:46:46,275 --> 00:46:48,915
The price of empire was rising.
629
00:46:53,295 --> 00:46:56,795
Hitler was a great admirer
of the British Empire.
630
00:46:58,675 --> 00:47:02,295
His admiration emerges from Mein Kampf
against the British Empire.
631
00:47:02,595 --> 00:47:06,395
His favorite movie was
The Lives of a Bengal Lancer.
632
00:47:09,455 --> 00:47:11,515
"As India was to England,"
633
00:47:11,815 --> 00:47:15,995
Hitler would say before
of the invasion of the Soviet Union...
634
00:47:18,295 --> 00:47:21,815
"...they will become Russian territories
for us."
635
00:47:25,375 --> 00:47:28,175
Hitler believed
that the two empires can coexist.
636
00:47:28,375 --> 00:47:32,175
On August 14, the next day
the start of the Battle of Britain,
637
00:47:32,475 --> 00:47:36,295
he told the 12 promoted generals
at the rank of field marshal
638
00:47:36,595 --> 00:47:39,995
that Germany was not winning from the end
the defeat of Great Britain.
639
00:47:40,435 --> 00:47:46,595
According to him, he would have won
Japan in Asia, Russia in India,
640
00:47:46,855 --> 00:47:51,895
Italy in the Mediterranean basin
and the US in world trade.
641
00:47:52,095 --> 00:47:57,315
That's why he considered Hitler
that he can make peace with Great Britain.
642
00:47:57,955 --> 00:47:59,675
But he couldn't.
643
00:48:08,855 --> 00:48:10,835
In the next episode, we will see
644
00:48:11,135 --> 00:48:16,535
that only the British Empire had
to oppose Germany.
645
00:48:17,835 --> 00:48:21,215
Germany would begin to gather
a fleet for the invasion of England
646
00:48:21,415 --> 00:48:23,395
and launch an air war...
647
00:48:25,135 --> 00:48:28,655
...Battle of Britain,
for air supremacy
648
00:48:28,855 --> 00:48:31,235
and for undermining
the morale of the population.
649
00:48:31,795 --> 00:48:34,455
And the time had come
like the balance clock
650
00:48:34,755 --> 00:48:37,115
to become the hour of glory.
651
00:48:39,275 --> 00:48:44,335
Root: Viasat History
Trans-synchro: vonRichthofen
Subs.ro Team @ www.subs.ro