Ep 6. Voyage of Doom

In the NOVA season 27 episode 6 titled "Voyage of Doom," viewers are taken on a journey through history to the fateful voyage of the St. Louis in 1939. The St. Louis was a German ocean liner carrying 937 Jews trying to escape Nazi persecution. The ship sailed from Germany to Cuba with hopes of being granted entry, however, they were ultimately denied and forced to return to Europe.

The episode begins by setting up the scene in 1939 Germany where Jews faced persecution and the threat of concentration camps. The St. Louis became their only hope of escape, and they boarded the ship with excitement and joy, not realizing the horrors that awaited them. Once the ship arrived in Cuba, they were met with resistance from the Cuban government who refused to grant them entry despite having the necessary documents and visas. This set off a chain of events that would ultimately lead to the ship being forced to return to Europe where many of its passengers would face the horrors of the Holocaust.

Throughout the episode, viewers are taken on a journey through the historical context of the time and the events that led up to the St. Louis voyage. They learn about the various factors that led to the ship being denied entry into Cuba, including political pressure from the United States and Cuban nationalism. They also learn about the reactions of the passengers on board and their desperate attempts to find a safe haven.

The episode also delves into the aftermath of the voyage and the impact it had on the passengers who were ultimately denied entry into Cuba. Many of the passengers were able to find refuge in other countries, but thousands more were sent to concentration camps and ultimately perished in the Holocaust.

Overall, "Voyage of Doom" is a moving and educational episode that sheds light on a little-known event in history. It serves as a reminder of the atrocities committed against Jews during the Holocaust and the importance of continued education and awareness of these events.