Watch Crusade in the Pacific: America at War

Name: Crusade in the Pacific: America at War
Genre: Documentary & Biography, History, Military & War
Released: 1951-01-01
Cast: Westbrook Van Voorhis

1951
1 Season
7.5 (107)

Crusade in the Pacific: America at War was a ground-breaking documentary series that first aired on NBC in 1951. The series ran for 26 episodes, chronicling America's involvement in the Pacific theater of World War II. Narrated by Westbrook Van Voorhis, the show offered a comprehensive overview of the war's major battles and campaigns, as well as the day-to-day experiences of the servicemen who fought in the conflict.

Each episode of Crusade in the Pacific took viewers on a journey through the war's major events, beginning with the Japanese invasion of China in 1937 and continuing through to the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. Along the way, viewers learned about the strategies employed by both the Allied and Axis forces, as well as the challenges faced by soldiers fighting in the jungle terrain of the Pacific islands.

One of the standout features of Crusade in the Pacific was its use of archival footage from the war. The series was produced just a few years after the conflict ended, and so was able to draw on a wealth of footage that had been captured by U.S. and Japanese cameras during the fighting. This footage was expertly edited together with voiceovers from Van Voorhis to create a vivid and engaging narrative of the war.

Another important aspect of the show was its commitment to telling the stories of individual soldiers and commanders. Each episode featured interviews with veterans of the conflict, who offered their firsthand accounts of the battles and campaigns they had fought in. These interviews humanized the conflict and gave viewers a glimpse into the sacrifices made by those who fought for their country.

Beyond its historical significance, Crusade in the Pacific was also notable for its technical innovations. The show was one of the first to use television's nascent color broadcasting technology, giving viewers a glimpse of the war's landscapes and uniforms in full color. The series also made use of animated maps to help viewers understand the strategic maneuvers of the various armies.

Crusade in the Pacific was a pioneer of the war documentary genre, paving the way for countless documentaries and films that would follow in its wake. Its influence can be seen in everything from the History Channel to modern video games. Even today, the series remains a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning about the human experience of World War II.

Overall, Crusade in the Pacific: America at War was a groundbreaking series that helped to shape the way we think about the Pacific theater of World War II. Its use of archival footage and firsthand accounts, combined with its technical innovations, made it a compelling and informative viewing experience. If you're a history buff or are simply interested in understanding the sacrifices made by those who fought in the war, this series is well worth watching.

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Seasons

24. War in Korea

War comes to the Korean Peninsula as North Korea attacks South Korea in the middle part of 1950. The U.S. is drawn into the "conflict."

23. Shifting Tides in the Orient

This episode chronicles the fight for independence by Indonesia and Pakistan. The Philippines struggle to adjust to self-government.

22. The Surrender & Occupation of Japan

General MacArthur assumes control of Japan on Aug. 30, 1945. The official surrender ceremony is held on the Battleship Missouri.

21. The Air War on Japan

Land bases in China, India and the Marianas accommodate the B-29 "super fortress" attacks on Japan. The Enola Gay drops atomic bombs over Hiroshima and then Nagasaki. Japan surrenders.

20. At Japan's Doorstep: Okinawa

Vice Adm. Richmond Kelly Turner directs a huge Navy force to Okinawa. In the largest amphibious assault of the war, 16,000 men land on April 1, 1945, and the assault lasts until mid-June. Japan would lose 100,000 troops, and the allies 50,000.

19. Bloody Iwo

February 1945: 10,000 Marines make assault on Iwo Jima, followed days later by the famous hoisting of the American flag on Mt. Suribachi. This battle virtually crushed the Japanese resolve.

18. MacArthur Returns to the Philippines

The U.S. gains possession of the Philippines by the end of 1944, after three years of enemy occupation. MacArthur returns. Highlighted is a battle that almost destroyed Manila.

17. Peleliu: The Fight for Bloody Nose Ridge

With the help of Adm. Halsey's Third Fleet, MacArthur attacks the Japanese strongholds on the Palau Islands. Instead of just four days, it took two months to take the island, with more than 9,500 casualties on the U.S. side alone.

16. The War in the China-Burma-India Theater

War on a second front strains Japan's resources. After U.S. Gen. "Vinegar Joe" Stillwell and Chinese forces are routed at Burma, he makes a comeback. China is assisted in defeating the Japanese forces.

15. Battle for the Marianas

Captured airfields such as Saipan provided bases to aid U.S. strategic bombing plans. A Marine private's thoughts on the invasion of the Marianas in 1944 gives a new perspective on the war.

14. Stepping Stones to the Philippines

The U.S. invades Cape Gloucester, Rabaul, the Bismarck Islands and Wake Island as it marches on to the Philippines.

13. Speeding Up the Attack: The Marshalls

Adm. Nimitz prepares the assault on the Marshall Islands during January 1944 and captures one of Japan's most vital warbases.

12. The War at Sea

This episode details the life of men in submarines and focuses on their day-to-day duties and morale.

11. Attack int the Central Pacific: Makin & Tarawa

The Allies step up the war through the Gilbert and Marshall Islands and the "single toughest fight" on Betio Island.

10. Up the Solomons Ladder: Bougainville

On Nov. 1, 1943, the U.S. landed a large amphibious force on the important island of Bougainville. They expected a vigorous response from the Japanese, and they got one. The U.S. Navy won an overwhelming victory at the Battle of Empress Augusta Bay.

9. The Road Back: New Guinea

For the first time in World War II, the U.S. and its allies turn back a Japanese offensive against Australia and New Guinea.

8. War in the North--The Aleutians

Using low-level bombers, the U.S. forces attack and then win back the Aleutians off the Alaskan coast -- the only World War II battle fought on American soil.

7. Guadacanal: America's First Offensive

In brutal hand-to-hand combat, U.S. Marines attacked the dug-in Japanese soldiers to secure Guadalcanal.

6. The Navy Holds--1942

The First B-25 bombers takes off from the carrier Enterprise, raiding Tokyo. The Battle of the Coral Sea proves to be the turning point for the U.S. forces as they hold Midway.

5. The U.S. and the Philippines

Bataan, Corregidor and the Philippines fall to the Japanese in fierce fighting. Gen. MacArthur vows to return.

4. America Goes to War in the Pacific

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, America builds its Navy to battle the Japanese forces, which are heading south toward Australia.

3. The Rise of the Japanese Empire

Japan's single-minded military agression is traced from Hirohito ascending to the throne in 1926 to Pearl Harbor.

2. Awakening in the Pacific

This documentary covers the U.S. and other nations' involvement in the Pacific, as well as the modernization and militarism of Japan, which culminated in an attack on Pearl Harbor that almost destroyed America's fleet docked near Honolulu.

1. The Pacific in Eruption

January 1, 1951

Filled with historic footage, this documentary is an overview of the United States' involvement in the Pacific from 1933 through Pearl Harbor to the Korean War, highlighting the war against Japan.

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