Alcatraz is located in San Francisco Bay. The island was originally developed to defend the bay, but was quickly used as a military prison. In 1934 the island was transferred to the Department of Justice and designated a Federal Penitentiary. During it's 29 years as a federal prison 36 men tried ...

Based on the 77 Squadron Association book "Swift to Destroy: An Illustrated History of 77 Squadron RAAF 1942-2012. This video features interviews from the Australians At War Film Archive.

The Battle of Milne Bay (from August 25 through to September 7, 1942), was the defense of the eastern New Guinea by Australian and US forces against a Japanese invasion. It would become the first time that Japanese forces had been defeated on land, shattering the myth at the time of Japanese invi...

The F-14 Tomcat is remembered for it's important Navy role during the 1980s and 1990s. However, few people are aware of the brief role it played in the Vietnam War. We look at Operation Frequent Wind, in which the F-14 served.

Blauvelt State Park is surrounded by mysteries and legends. Horrible crimes have occurred here, and legends of evil cults and supernatural events have been told for decades. At the center of the park are a series of tunnels, which locals call the Tweed Tunnels, and Clausland Mountain Tunnels.
The...

This program takes a deep dive into the weird, convoluted and nebulous law that is The Hays Code, and how it attempted to control "White Slavery" as its depicted in Hollywood Films.

Trekking through the battlefront’s rough terrain and even sustaining a bullet hole traced to the Second Battle of the Marne, the service record of the 1918 Cadillac Type 57 is a testament to Cadillac's lasting legacy and involvement in U.S. military wartime efforts. Learn about the history of thi...

Take the 80th Anniversary trip into France as allied forces embark on the unprecedented invasion of Normandy, meticulously preparing with unparalleled precision, orchestrating a relentless air campaign to cripple enemy defenses, and grappling with the harrowing possibility of cancellation, forgin...

The Henry Ford is pleased to present from our archives an unworn 1957 Hamilton Ventura wristwatch with its rare original gold leaf watch strap.
Update: After further research, our experts have discovered that this watch is a hybrid between the Ventura and the Pacer. This watch was donated to us b...

Buchenwald Concentration Camp, a harrowing site of Nazi atrocities, stands as a solemn reminder of human cruelty and resilience, where countless lives were lost, and the indomitable will to survive emerged amidst unimaginable horror.

Amidst the trenches of World War I, a young Adolf Hitler earns the prestigious Iron Cross twice, marking a harrowing journey that marks the beginning of a rise to infamy, overshadowing the valor of war with the darkness of future tyranny.

In 1945, near Wesel, Winston Churchill narrowly escapes death when a sudden attack threatens his visit to the front lines, highlighting the perilous reality faced by leaders in the closing days of World War II.

Explore a vintage program that is part training film and part recruitment tool.

Mauthausen Concentration Camp, a grim symbol of Nazi brutality, witnessed immense suffering and inhumanity, where countless prisoners endured horrific conditions, and the stark contrasts of human cruelty and resilience unfolded.

During 1944, it became obvious that the war in Germany would soon be over. Allied leadership believed there needed to be a post-war plan. Other individuals also had similar ideas. Responsible for such a plan would be two powerful individuals: US Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgenthau Jr. and ...

The concept of brainwashing is often discussed, but rarely understood. Originating from the Chinese term Xinao, which literally means ‘wash brain’, the word first entered circulation in the west in the 1950s. However, to this day, few understand the origins of brainwashing, and to what purpose it...

Amid the fierce battle for Groningen in World War II, two brothers, Fred and Stanley Butterworth find themselves on the front lines, their bond tested by the horrors of war as they fight for freedom and each other in a city under siege.

Supermarine's Spitfire is undoubtedly one of the iconic fighters of WWII, and continues to garner support from warbird enthusiasts worldwide. 22 distinct major versions of the Spitfire were developed to meet the operational demands of the war. Australia's involvement with the Spitfire began in th...

On the 4th of July 1989, a strange incident would occur in Europe. Over the course of an hour, various air forces would be put on high alert as a Soviet MIG-23 flew across central Europe. What wasn’t known, until after the aircraft had been intercepted and visually identified, was that this MiG-2...

Throughout the latter half of the 19th century, there was a strong temptation toward communism in the West. And this persisted through the first half of the 20th Century, even as evidence grew of the huge failures within the Soviet Union and China. Despite the damning evidence from communist stat...

Made famous by the movie "A Bridge Too Far", the Market Garden operation took place in September, 1944. Join us to better understand the struggles of the men who made it to the farthest objective - the Bridge at Arnhem.

During the Cold War, high tensions between east and west resulted in many close calls. Some of these close calls involved nuclear weapons, and given the tense atmosphere, any mistake would have likely resulted in global war.
Among all of these stories is one which stands out both for its extremel...