WW2 From the German Perspective (Full Documentary) | Animated History

The video script begins with gratitude towards the sponsor, Men of War 2, a sequel to the esteemed RTS franchise. The game promises new units, locations, campaigns, and modes with historical accuracy and intense gameplay set during World War II. It features three campaigns from the Allies, Soviets, and Third Reich perspectives, with a vast multiplayer and Co-op mode. The game offers detailed WWII locations, vehicles, and characters, supports modding, and invites players to sign up for an open Beta starting May 11th. It also touches on the historical use of the Panzer Division and Blitzkrieg tactics during Germany's invasion of Poland.

The script moves on to describe Germany's rapid invasion of Denmark and Norway. The invasion of Denmark met with minimal resistance and was over in less than six hours. Norway, while not involving armored units, was conquered through a coordinated amphibious assault using naval, air, and ground forces. The German Kriegsmarine played a significant role in these operations, as well as in convoy raiding campaigns that led to the sinking of numerous British ships. The script also details the German offensive into Western Europe, highlighting the use of fast-moving armored and motorized units to exploit weaknesses in Allied defenses.

The narrative discusses Mussolini's decision to enter the Battle of France out of fear of being sidelined by Hitler, which led to significant Italian military losses. Italy's failures in Libya and the Balkans prompted Hitler to intervene, resulting in successful German campaigns in Yugoslavia and Greece. The script also covers the historic German airborne victory at Crete and the debate among German leadership about the strategic implications of aiding Italy.

The script delves into Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union, highlighting the initial successes and the eventual halt outside Moscow. It discusses the impact of the German support of Italy on the delayed invasion of the USSR and the subsequent battles, including the first Battle of Smolensk. The narrative also touches on the German logistical issues, the significance of oil in their strategic planning, and the high command's decision-making during the Eastern Front campaigns.

Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the United States declares war on Japan and, in solidarity, Nazi Germany declares war on the U.S. The script outlines the German struggle with logistical issues, particularly a lack of oil, and Hitler's planning for the 1942 offensive aimed at capturing Soviet oil fields. It details the desperation and ill-preparedness of the German forces, leading to significant losses at the Battle of Stalingrad and the subsequent Soviet counter-offensive.

As Germany faces a manpower crisis, Hitler orders the formation of the Volkssturm, a civilian militia, to defend the Reich. The script also describes the Nazi propaganda efforts, including Joseph Goebbels' push for a partisan network called 'Werwolf' that aimed to continue resistance even in the event of a German defeat. The narrative then shifts to Hitler's final gamble, the failed offensive in the Ardennes known as Operation Wacht am Rhein, which耗尽了德国最后的军事储备。

The script describes the Soviet Union's Vistula-Oder Offensive, a massive drive into Poland that led to the destruction of 45 German divisions. It details the Soviet planning and the movement of armies to create shock groups capable of penetrating the German line. The narrative outlines the Red Army's advance with a force of 2.5 million men, 6,250 tanks, and 7,500 combat aircraft, highlighting the challenges of urban warfare and the construction of bridges and assault boats.

The narrative focuses on the Battle of Berlin, with the Soviet forces preparing for their final act of vengeance. It details the Soviet three-pronged attack plan, the German defensive lines, and the eventual Soviet breakthrough. The script describes the iconic moment when the Soviet flag was raised over the Reichstag and Hitler's suicide. It also covers the aftermath, including the continued fighting, the eventual surrender of the German garrison, and the immense human cost of the battle.

The script addresses the fate of the 11 million German soldiers taken as prisoners of war by the Allied powers. It contrasts the treatment of POWs by the Western allies, who were signatories to the Geneva Convention, with that of the Soviet Union, which was not. The narrative outlines the various conditions in which POWs were kept, from relatively humane treatment in the U.S. and Britain to forced labor and dire conditions in France and the Soviet Union. The script also touches on the use of POWs for reconstruction and the eventual repatriation process.

The narrative details the trials of German military and civilian leaders at Nuremberg and other trials, where the responsibility for Nazi horrors was attributed to the military as well as the SS and civilian leadership. It discusses the 'following orders' defense and the false narratives created by defendants to justify their actions. The script also covers the post-war amnesty for war criminals in Germany, the establishment of the Bundeswehr, and the myth of the 'clean Wehrmacht' that allowed many Germans to distance themselves from the crimes of the Nazi regime.