World War I: The Great War

HISTORY is proud to present the definitive collection of documentary programs on World War One. Experience the world-changing events from the birth of what became known as The Great War to the tragic, final day where over 13,000 men died. From the first dogfighters and the Red Baron, to the battle of The Somme, John J. Pershing, The Iron General and the Last Day of WWI. In the four year period from 1914 - 1918, the war was responsible for over 40 million casualties and over 20 million deaths. Join the brave servicemen of land, sea, and air as they valiantly fought alongside their Allied brothers in this "war to end all wars."

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Status

Returning Series

Original Name

World War I: The Great War

First Air Date

December 31, 2009

Last Air Date

December 31, 2009

Seasons

Episodes

Language

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History

S03E04

John J. Pershing: The Iron General

He took a 128,000-man force and transformed it into a juggernaut of 4 million soldiers that won a war. He was arguably more responsible for transforming America into an international power than anyone else. John J. Pershing started his career as an Indian fighter on the frontier. He ended it as the greatest war hero America had ever seen. In between was enough triumph and tragedy for several lives. This searching profile pieces together a portrait of an ambitious, driven man haunted by a searing tragedy--the loss of his wife and three daughters killed in a fire. Military historians detail how he transformed a tiny, 128,000-man force into an army of four million men, and then led it to victory in the greatest battle America had ever fought--the Meuse Argonne offensive in October 1918. John Pershing, the senior U.S. Army General of World War I, was granted the rank of "General of the Armies" in 1919 in recognition of his performance as the commander of the American Expeditionary Force.

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