AllMovie

This program chronicles the history of American involvement in warfare during the 20th century. Starting with the Spanish American War and ending with the Gulf War, the United States participated in a century of turmoil, marked by two world wars. Wars took a huge toll in lives and suffering in a steady course of conflict, punctuated by a few years of peace. This program evaluates the causes and costs of warfare in the last century. No price for the sake of freedom was ever more dear than that paid in World War II. This episode relates the story of the air wars fought in Europe and the Pacific. The German Blitzkrieg at first terrified Europe, but in the end, served to strengthen the resolve to fight back. The Japanese kamikaze pilots were effective, but depleted the reserve of trained pilots. The program features footage of American and British fighter planes in action against the Germans and Japanese, along with personal accounts of those who served aboard the aircraft. Scholars add their perspective on the importance of the air war.