Why We Fight Series (WWII Films)

[Stray Cat]

Why We Fight is a series of seven propaganda films commissioned by the United States government during World War II to demonstrate to American soldiers the reason for U.S. involvement in the war.
And here there are.

1. Prelude to War (1942)
"This famous propaganda piece, used as a U.S. Army training film in WWII before theatrical release, asks 'why we fight.' The answer compares the 'free' and 'slave' worlds. Included: development of dictatorships in Italy, Germany and Japan, while anti-militarism and isolationism rise in the USA; a look at enemy propaganda; and the first acts of aggression. Walter Huston narrates a combination of archival footage, maps, and other graphics."

[video=youtube;MeGQr6dGGe8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeGQr6dGGe8[/video]

 

[Stray Cat]

2. The Nazis Strike (1943)
"In this installment of the Why We Fight propaganda film series, we see the events of Nazi Germany's diplomatic and military acts of international aggression. One by one, we learn of the Nazi's consistently underhanded and relenting violation of every promise of peace and exploitation of their foes's attempts of appeasement until the invasion of Poland September of 1939 which led to Britain and France finally taking an armed stand against Hitler."

[video=youtube;qwZaaBwNAfI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwZaaBwNAfI[/video]

 

[Stray Cat]

3. Divide and Conquer (1943)
"In this episode of the Why We Fight propaganda series, the events from the English and French declarations of war against Nazi Germany to the conquest of France by the Nazi. In detail, we learn of how a combination of innovative Nazi military tactics and the work of traitors allowed the conquest of much of Central Europe."

[video=youtube;TSN3RIfIIJo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSN3RIfIIJo&oref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fuser%2Fopenfli x[/video]
(rated as VIOLENT)

 

[Stray Cat]

4. The Battle of Britain (1943)
"In this installment of the "Why We Fight" propaganda film series, we have the account of Great Britain's last stand against the forces of Nazi Germany. This mainly focuses on the desperate, but successful, battle to maintain their vital air superiority over the British Isles and the morale of the people to prevent invasion."

[video=youtube;7Qi9rDHtbuE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Qi9rDHtbuE[/video]

 

[Stray Cat]

5. The Battle of Russia (1943)
"In this installment of the "Why We Fight" propaganda series, we learn about the events on the Russian front of World War II. We learn about Russia's heroic resistance to invasion in the past and how those qualities were called upon in the current war. We also learn about Russian tenacity and their determination to win against the seemingly invincible forces of Nazi Germany in the bloodiest fighting of the war."
[video=youtube;CCBb60FHKZ0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCBb60FHKZ0[/video]

 

[Stray Cat]

6. The Battle of China (1944)
"In this installment of the "Why We Fight" propaganda series, we learn about the country of China and its people. With a brief history of the country, we also learn of why the Japanese wanted to conquer it and felt confident about succeeding. Finally, the history of the war in that theatre is illustrated and shows the stiff determination of the Chinese who use all their resources to oppose Japanese aggression to the end."

[video=youtube;vQ3tTbvsW_Q]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQ3tTbvsW_Q[/video]

 

[Stray Cat]

Last, 7. War Comes to America (1945)
"In this final installment of the "Why We Fight" propaganda series, the subject focuses on the United States of America. We learn of its good qualities and the things worth fighting for. With that established, we learn of the history of the United States' population shifting opinion towards siding with the Allies against the Axis until the attack on Pearl Harbour which brought America into full scale involvement in the war."

[video=youtube;THx1UTdRM9c]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THx1UTdRM9c[/video]

I haven't seen all of them myself, yet.. but.. I'd like to share the find..

 

[Doctor Strange]

It should be mentioned that these films were the brainchild of famed director Frank Capra, who distinguished himself with them while assigned to the Hollywood division of the Signal Corps. President Roosevelt thought they were an extremly important part of the wartime morale effort, and wanted them to be seen by "every man, woman, and child in the country".

I seem to recall that there's an interesting chapter about the making of these films in Capra's autobiography, "The Name Above The Title". (In any case, it's a very entertaining and fascinating book, highly recommended to anybody interested in Capra, or 20s-50s Hollywood!)

 

[Sam Craig]

These were great film and important too.

It's so easy for us to forget, we could have LOST that war.

It's a real historic turning point. How different the world would have been ....

 

[V.C. Brunswick]

Wasn't aerial combat footage shot by Clark Gable also used into the Why We Fight films?

 

[Steven180]

Good profile Stray Cat, a woman of unique interests and talents.

I have yet to see the series myself, although I remember my grandparents speaking about it. I will assuredly watch them when I can get the opportunity. It will be interesting to see how this thread pans out. Although these films can be described as informational, they can also be argued as public affairs.

I read a book a few years ago (the name escapes me presently) about the internal discourse the United States was having with itself in the late 30's and early 40's on the type, level, and future involvement in the european conflict. It was incredibly informative and covered the standard political party angles, the influence of minorities, and even personal interests of public figures and industrialists.

Nonetheless, it will be very interesting and enjoyable to see what the American public/service members viewed pre war, and during World War II. I'm sure it could have only hinted to the atrocities and discoveries we found after victory was secured.

The potential for future conflict is never extinguished, only dimmed.

Thanks for the thread,
M.

 

[Stray Cat]

Good profile Stray Cat, a woman of unique interests and talents.

Nonetheless, it will be very interesting and enjoyable to see what the American public/service members viewed pre war, and during World War II. I'm sure it could have only hinted to the atrocities and discoveries we found after victory was secured.

*cough*
Thank you..

..and, I'll be watching it, too. Since, I have never saw this footage before.. from the other side of the ocean.