WWII Events and People (that should be made into films)

The WWII study is still going strong this year. As I've been reading, I've come across several historical events and people that have greatly interested me. Some I've already heard of and others I've just recently come across, but all of them, obviously, were immense in the war effort. I know there are numerous written material on all of them, but it would be fascinating to see these stories in film (or television). I love it when I come across historical events that are just casually mentioned and opens up a new area of research and study.

1. Operation Jedburgh - A year before D-Day, operatives from from the allied nations (Britain, France, American, The Netherlands and Belgium) were parachuted down behind enemy lines (France, The Netherlands and Belgium) to mark out plans and attacks for the eventual liberation of Europe as well as aid the local underground Resistance. This dangerous mission was known as Operation Jedburgh. I had read about this event in Killing Patton and had never heard of it until I read the book.

2. Exercise Tiger - After Operation Jedburgh was complete, Exercise Tiger came to the front. Several months before D-Day, Exercise Tiger was a series of rehearsals in England that were practiced for the upcoming invasion of Normandy. However, a surprise attack by German E-boats took the lives of at least 749 young men. For fear of outrage from the military and the rest of the world, the failed operation was kept a secret until after the war. I read about this event in The Bedford Boys. 

3. Dr. Adelaide Hautvel - Dr. Hautvel was a physician and psychiatrist who was imprisoned in Auschwitz. She attended to the sick prisoners and defended the Jewish people frequently, earning their love and respect in return. However, she adamantly refused to assist the doctors who were performing horrific experiments on prisoners, even though she could have been killed by her refusal. Dr. Hautvel was transferred to several different camps and was eventually liberated. She is named Righteous Among the Nations for her bravery and care for the Jewish people.

4. Lydia Litvyak and The Night Witches - The Night Witches of the Soviet Union were a lethal, all-female, night aviation squad who were given the most useless planes to carry out the most dangerous missions. However, in spite of their terrible aircrafts, they were immensely successful and their work helped turned the tide of the fight in the air. Lydia Litvyak was one of the lieutenants and is considered one of the greatest fighter pilots in history. 

 

5. Captain Speirs' Hunt - So, technically this story has been told, but I think it could definitely be fleshed out and merit its own film. In episode 10 of Band of Brothers, Sergeant Charles "Chuck" Grant was shot in the head by a drunk private. The private had attempted to rape a young Austrian girl, stolen a jeep and killed two English soldiers, so he was already being chased after. Captain Ronald Speirs did everything imaginable to save Grant's life (which he did). Speirs sent several other soldiers on a man hunt for the private who almost killed Grant. This is one of the most intense moments in the series!

6. The Berlin Airlift - After the war, the world became incredibly hostile to Germans. Killing them in the streets, kicking them out of their homes, refusing aid for the sick and the hungry. As Communism was running rampant throughout Eastern Europe, the city of Berlin was caught in the middle. Literally. From 1948-1949, Berlin was blocked by the Soviet Union making it impossible for the Berliners to get food and essential items. At first America ignored them, but eventually came to the Berliners through air relief. American planes flew over Berlin dropping food and necessities to the people. The Americans kindness to the Germans helped to mend the damaged relationship between the two countries.