Crusade in Europe - Season 1

In 1940, the U.S. finally became sufficiently concerned about the state of her military forces to institute the first peace-time draft in American history. Film covers the various steps in the transformation of civilian draftees into soldiers and examines the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and President Roosevelt's address to Congress recommending a declaration of war.

From President Roosevelt's speech on the conduct of the war, the film investigates the problem of which one of our two principal enemies must be dealt with first. Churchhill's visit to Washington in December, 1941, to confer with President Roosevelt is also pictured. With the decision to concentrate on defeating Germany first, thousand of American troops were sent to England battle the Nazis.

General Eisenhower's first job was to collect a "working team" to defeat the Nazis. American troops in England were being prepared psychologically and physically for their first experience in battle. The Allied governments planned to attack the Nazi enemy first. The decision to strike first at North Africa was followed by the organization and departure from America and England.

The three parts of the invasion fleet proceed across the Atlantic to their destinations along the coast of North Africa. On board are American GIs and British Tommies, most of whom will be going into battle for the first time. Behind this giant invasion armada stands America's industrial production. The film flashes back briefly to General Brehom Somervell and explores American war industry.

The French political situation in North Africa complicated the Allied progress of the war against the Nazis. The influence of Marshall Petain, Vichy French Leader, was still dominant in North Africa, and was virtually ignored. The Allies' deal with Vichyite Admiral Darlan, in command of all French forces in North America was confused and irritated by many American and Britons, is explained.

While the Allied attack against the enemy in North Africa was held up by the weather, General Sir Harold Alexander became Deputy Commander of the Allied Forces under General Eisenhower. During January the Allies completed preparations for the final assault at the Nazis in North Africa. But the enemy attacked in force at Gafsa, Faid, and the Kasserine Pass, where the Allies suffered a major defeat.

The Casablanca Conference had directed that the next campaign should be in Sicily. The invasion platform was North Africa, and Allied air forces undertook the steady bombing of Pantelleria and Gozo, islands lying between North Africa and Sicily. Both islands were captured with ease and an air strip was put into operation on Gozo.

General Montgomery slipped two divisions of his British Eighth Army across Messina Straits and the invasion of the European continent was an accomplished fact. Soon afterward, the American Fifth Army, under General Clark, landed at Salerno. On the same day, the Italian surrender to the Allies was announced.

This film is a consideration of the political overtones which were involved in Italy's participation in the war. Following Marshall Badogllio's appointment to succeed Mussolini, the film flashes back to the beginnings of Fascist rule in Italy, the Fascist march on Rome in 1922, and the succession of small wars won by the Duce's troops.