Are you fond of watching how our brave World War II soldiers defend the country? If so, we have a present for you. Most television producers around the world and other cable channels allowed individuals who wanted to learn more about World War II to watch complete documentaries on their TV or even mobile viewing devices. This means that you don’t need to do multiple online searches and read numerous books about World War Two. All you have to do is to sit back and watch as the show gives you real and complete footage of what happened to our brave soldiers during the Second World War. In line with that, we are going to share with you the best documentaries about ww2. So, read on to know further. These twenty-two documentaries about WW2 will be a real treat for movie aficionados. Prepare your popcorn and drinks as you enjoy watching these amazing stories of the brave soldiers who fought during World War Two. From gripping tales of bravery, to rare footage from battles, to unedited interviews with survivors – we’ve got it all! With so many titles to choose from, there is something for everyone that you definitely shouldn’t miss. So sit back, relax, and get ready for an awe-inspiring journey through history with these top 22 documentaries about WW2. Enjoy!
1. Heinrich Himmler: Architect of The Final Solution
If you love digging history, then this Heinrich Himmler: Architect of the Final Solution is a WW2 documentary that you will surely love. Each part gives you new ideas about what happened in one of the historical events of the world. Although this film lasts about an hour, some of you might not finish it in one sitting. But, when you finish it, you will surely be amazed and fascinated by the information and footage featured in this documentary.
2. The Blitz on Berlin
Are you looking for a great documentary about World War II? If so, you will never go wrong watching The Blitz on Berlin. This documentary shows how Berlin was destroyed. Compared to other documentaries, this one does not feature horrifying footage but is packed with lots of details about the Second World War. It also includes interviews with people who lived through the war, giving viewers a unique look at daily life during this period.
3. Hürtgen forest and the end of World War II
There are more than thousands of soldiers and innocent victims who died in the Second World War. Many United States soldiers who survived the war in the Hurtgen Forest called it the “Death Factory.” This factory shows the original and actual footage and photos from the United States archives that will take you back to the scenario where our brave soldiers fought for the freedom of the country.
4. The Complete History of the Second World War: Part 2
Have you watched Part 1 of the documentary entitled The Complete History of the Second World War? If so, Part 2 will give you another set of extraordinary videos regarding World War 2. The footage of the actual air attack that happened in history is real and colorized, so you will have a vivid viewpoint about the lives of soldiers and innocent citizens who unfortunately died during the war. This documentary will surely enjoy the students and other individuals who love watching documentaries about these historical wars.
5. The Complete History of the Second World War: Part 1
The first part of The Complete History of the Second World War will catch your attention by watching this documentary in just a few minutes. This documentary covers all the happenings that happened in the Second World War. This video is engaging enough to help other people learn more about the topic. This documentary is thoroughly researched and explained. One of the best things about this documentary is that it shows the actual war footage. It also tells the stories of people who participated in the war.
6. African Americans in World War 2: Struggle Against Segregation and Discrimination
This is a documentary film that features the life of African Americans when the Second World War happened between 1940 to 1946. This film shows each phase and contribution of those brave women and men on the battlefront and in their homes. The combined forces and contributions of these courageous individuals achieved Allied victory. The African Americans in World War 2 – Struggle Against Segregation and Discrimination is also a documentary showing the African American struggles against discrimination and segregation. Military soldiers in this documentary fought to make the future generation free, even if they risked their own lives.
7. The War at the Sea
If you want to witness an extraordinary film about The War at the Sea during the Second World War, then this documentary is made for you. This show features a series of real and spectacular footage of air attacks that happened in ww2. This documentary does not only capture the attacks of both sides. What makes this show unique is that it also features how their enemies surrendered. Watching this documentary could be your initial step to learn and understand how our future was shaped by our brave soldiers and courageous citizens.
8. The War in the Air
If you have no idea about how the war in the air started during the Second World War, then you should watch this documentary. This will give you a vivid idea of how heavy bombing operations happened during that time. This will take you to the time with total darkness that will be interrupted by an explosion and bombing. The extreme bombings and explosions that happened at that time have caused the death of many innocent individuals and courageous soldiers. This air war took the lives of many soldiers, who also caused a lot of damages to their enemies. After watching this documentary, you will surely admire those soldiers who risked their lives to protect and shape the future of their country.
9. The War in The Jungle
The War in the Jungle is one of the most underrated documentaries about World War II that you can watch on YouTube. Some people may find this documentary fascinating, while others find it horrifying and depressing because of the gunshots and explosions flying throughout the country. All the suffering and struggles experienced by the soldiers and citizens were captured and featured in this documentary. It provides insight into the reality of war, with no sugar-coating.
10. Japan’s War in Colour
With more than four million views on YouTube, this more than one-hour documentary about Japan’s War will leave you breathless. The documentary was narrated by Brian Cox. It also shows real footage of Japan’s war in color. Thus, giving you a more vivid view of how and what happened during the war. The documentary also displays the diaries and letters of the survivors of the said war. It narrates one’s personal account on the struggles and pains that they faced during the war. This documentary is a must-watch for all those who are interested in learning about WW2 or even just want to become better movie aficionados. Documentary viewers will definitely get an eye-opening experience from this film. So, if you are looking for an educational movie about WW2, then “Japan’s War in Color” should be at the top of your list.
11. Pearl Harbor: The Day of Infamy
The Pearl Harbor: The Day of Infamy is a longer than an hour World War II documentary. Many consider it the best documentary about the Pearl Harbor attack. This show includes a back story about how and why the Pearl Harbor attack happened. If you think you know everything about Pearl Harbor, then maybe you have not yet watched this documentary. Despite being brief, the length of this documentary is enough to give you essential details about WW2.
12. The Bloody History Of The Pacific Theatre
The Bloody History of the Pacific Theatre is an almost 50-minute documentary you can watch on YouTube for free. Beyond that, it also has more than one million views. In line with that, we can say how comprehensive and informative this documentary is. This show features the big role of Germans and Russians in the Pacific War. It also includes footage from the battle of Guadalcanal, which is quite interesting. Furthermore, there’s an abundance of archival footage used in this documentary which makes it very good watch for WW2 movie aficionados and documentary viewers. As such, we can place this on our list of the 22 Best Documentaries About WW2 Of All Time.
13. The Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad is one of the most comprehensive documentaries about the Second World War. It was narrated perfectly as it will let you feel what really happened during this most prominent scenario in history. Many individuals who have already watched this documentary said that it was the most interesting battle in World War II. If you are looking for an informative WW2 documentary, then The Battle of Stalingrad is an ideal show for you.
14. The Normandy Landings
The Normandy Landings is a D-Day documentary about World War II. This happened from 1939 to 1941. The Nazi Germany forces of Adolf Hitler started the murder, oppression, and destruction across the whole of Europe and other surrounding countries. Even so, Hitler didn’t seem satisfied with what happened at that time. This documentary shows how Hitler wanted to conquer the world, and he thought that death was the only tool he could use. If you want to know what happened between 1939 onwards, you should watch this documentary.
15. The Pacific War: Japan vs US
The Pacific War: Japan vs. the US is one of the greatest documentaries about WW2 ever recorded. It shows the bitter battle that happened in Asia. When Japan evoked the United States for the Pacific War, World War II started to scatter in most countries. This documentary shows the competition of the two soldierly nations for the largest ocean in the world. This show also features real footage of the attack on Pearl Harbor, which was happened in 1941. You will also see how Japanese soldiers destroyed the American Pacific fleet in just a matter of hours. This event had caused the death of more than 2,000 US soldiers. If you are a documentary viewer or a movie aficionado, this is definitely something that you should watch. It’s an incredible historical moment that can never be forgotten.
16. The Complete History (7+ Hrs)
The Complete History is a 7-hour WW2 documentary. This shows you the greatest conflict between the two groups of the military during World War II. One of the best things about this documentary is that it gives viewers an in-depth perspective about the most violent event that happened in history. The show starts from the Versaille Treaty to the Nuremberg Trials. This documentary also shows real footage of when the Cold War started. Watch this documentary to know how the people involved in this war shaped the future.
17. Submarines – History Channel Documentary
During the Second World War and the First World War, many militaries used submarines as their ultimate blockade weapon. Aside from guns, bombs, and tanks, submarines were the commonly used weapon by the soldiers. This documentary shows how large submarines sank numerous warships and merchant ships of their enemies. This resulted in paralyzing their enemies’ war effort and military industry by wrecking the enemies’ war products and materials. If you are interested to know and understanding more about the submarines used by our heroes, then this documentary is a must-watch.
18. Panzer Tank: The Most Destructive Tank In World War 2
Panzer Tank is a German word that means armor. Thus, the title of the documentary implies how powerful and destructive this military armor was. This documentary discusses how the military soldiers used this big tank for their fights. This huge armor protects the crew and its operator. With its size, it was used as an ideal hiding place for our soldiers during wars. With its power to make strong fires and explosions, the Panzer Tank had helped a lot of militaries to win the war in protecting their homeland.
19. World War II (TV14)
World War II is a compilation of the best footage and scenes during the Second World War. The summary of events includes the circumstances that happened from 1939 to 1945. This documentary indeed shows a brutal war between our World War II soldiers and the invaders. The show displays how civilians and militaries risked their lives to protect the country and its people. Men, women, and children involved in this war suffered the most brutal death. This only shows how our ancestors fought for our future. Their courage has no boundaries, and their bravery doesn’t have limits.
20. Apocalypse: Second World War Documentary
Apocalypse: Second World War Documentary was filmed in 2009. It has six episodes and was captured by Isabelle Clarke and Daniel Costelle. This documentary features the real footage of the war that was filmed by private citizens, resistance fighters, soldiers, and war correspondents. The good thing about this show is that the black-and-white videos and photos were colorized. In line with that, the show will just take you to the time when the real war happened. The only non-colorized scene in this documentary was the Holocaust. This documentary also features a series of features of the military leaders during the Second World War.
21. World War 2 Explained
In the Second World War, every bond between man and man was to perish. Crimes were committed by the Germans under the Hitlerite domination to which they allowed themselves to be subjected which find no equal in scale and wickedness with any that have darkened the human record. The wholesale massacre by systematised processes of six or seven millions of men, women, and children in the German execution camps exceeds in horror the rough-and-ready butcheries of Genghis Khan, and in scale reduces them to pigmy proportions. Deliberate extermination of whole populations was contemplated and pursued by both Germany and Russia in the Eastern war.
22. The Second World War: 1939 – 1945
On the morning of August 9th 1945, air raid sirens began to ring out in the Japanese city of Nagasaki. However, a short while later the sirens rang out again indicating that there was no danger and people began to climb out of their shelters to carry on about their daily business. Japanese spotters had only identified two United States Army Air Force B-29 bombers and they had previously flown to the city of Kokura without dropping any weapons so Japanese authorities presumed they were merely on a reconnaissance mission.
