How history programs are changing.

[Capt. R]

Unfortunately, for most of the people WWII is a subject that it simply doesn't matter at all. It has nothing to do with cultural or social background: I've noticed that for the majority of the younger generation what hapened at that time (or whatever age actually) simply was/is not important. Only TODAY and TOMORROW really catch their attention.

For us, who are constantly immersed on collecting field and discussing military history this is an heresy, but, is hard to admitt, that is how it goes.


Douglas.

Douglas, your comments here are particularly sobering. The blood that was spilled by the youth of the world in the 1940's should echo forever. Hard to believe that it can be forgotten. Harder still to believe that most are oblivious to the imminent dangers we now face currently. We are doomed to repeat history because we sanitize it and forget it. The nostalgia that we feel today as historians and militaria collectors for that period is due to our separation from the events. But the reality of what happened remainss very dark and tragic.

[james m]

I'm just finishing watching the Military channel program on machine guns. I just learned that the M1A1 Thompson was the only sub machine gun the United states had in it's arsenal at the start of WW II.
jim

[Douglas Jr.]

I'm just finishing watching the Military channel program on machine guns. I just learned that the M1A1 Thompson was the only sub machine gun the United states had in it's arsenal at the start of WW II.
jim

In fact, Thompson M1928 and M1928A1 versions hold such distinction. The M1A1 came much later, in October 1942.

[Douglas Jr.]

The nostalgia that we feel today as historians and militaria collectors for that period is due to our separation from the events. But the reality of what happened remainss very dark and tragic.

Capt.,

I could not agree with more. However, just a short talk with any youngster is a proof for what I'm saying. Most of them not even knows how to distinguish the First Worls War from the Seconde. Some of them say that they are interested, but a short conversations will demonstrate that they lack a more grounded interest and are much much interested on "hearsays", "conspiracy theories" and stuff like that, that they read on Internet.

It is a frustating scenario that haunts me.

Douglas.

[carroll]

The history channel has definatly become a joke,with shows such as Pawn Stars and American Pickers.

[paddywhack]

have to say the history channel is just getting appalling!one of there newest programmes is now on the sea!what is that to do with history??? iv seen pretty lazy a$$ documentaries put together!one was on the Mediterranean and they had near on 2 minutes of footage from the pacific! iv also seen tigers and panther and ever T34s invading France, the red army some how had fighters at Dunkirk ww2 german uboats in ww1 and seen avenger bombers some how shown to drop torpedoes at pearl harbour!!it REALLY annoys me just how lazy these program makers get!its not hard to get decent footage but the pure laziness is unreal!

[Mil-Archive]

.... iv also seen tigers and panther and ever T34s invading France, the red army some how had fighters at Dunkirk ww2 german uboats in ww1 and seen avenger bombers some how shown to drop torpedoes at pearl harbour!!it REALLY annoys me just how lazy these program makers get!its not hard to get decent footage but the pure laziness is unreal!

That reminds me of that UTV programme from last year about the IRA and Gaddaffi - they used footage from a video game off youtube thinking it was actual footage

[LarryHW.]

History Programs/Film Footage

Anybody/Everybody notice how often the current programs use combat and other period footage that is of a completely different time and place from what it purports to show? You kind of get the sense that the producers figure any combat footage will do and the audience won't know the difference.

[paddywhack]

That reminds me of that UTV programme from last year about the IRA and Gaddaffi - they used footage from a video game off youtube thinking it was actual footage

i do!bloody funny!they got done for that with the TV standards watchdog thing!and to right!
but larry your right they do just show any old footage!i say one programme on gnrman tanks and they were used footage of panzer 3s and 4s for most of a segment on tigers!just lazy producers!