AllMovie

As an Emmy-winning adaptation of General Dwight D. Eisenhower's bestseller Crusade in Europe, the series World War II: When the World Went to War explores some of the pivotal events which characterized the conflict that shook the world from 1939-1945, as the shadow of fascism loomed over Europe. This first volume in the series covers the period of 1939 through 1942. Subtitled "Blitzkrieg, Air Battles and the Victory Over Rommel," it contains three installments. The first, "Poland, France, Norway and Great Britain" discusses how the Nazis invaded the first three titular nations, but then made the critical error of attempting to take Britain as well - which drew increased attention from the U.S. and encouraged that country to start sending soldiers to England in an effort to liberate the European continent from the Axis powers. Part Two, "The Battle of England, Malta and Aerial Warfare over Germany," discusses how the Air Battle of England helped defeat the Luftwaffe, courtesy of collaborations between the U.S. Air Force and the RAF - culminating with the Battle of Malta in 1942. Finally, Part Three, "North Africa: The Victory Over Rommel," relays the events that led to the defeat of theretofore seemingly invincible Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, with a particularly strong emphasis on the Battle of El Alamein.