Missions that Changed the War: Germany's Last Aces DVD Review

 ***Complimentary copy received in exchange for an honest review***

Narrated by Oscar®-nominee and Emmy®-winning actor Gary Sinise, the four-part documentary Missions that Changed the War: Germany’s Last Ace debuts on DVD from Athena on August 27, 2013. Broadcast on the Military Channel in 2011, the riveting documentary series tells the story of three fighter pilots who played decisive roles in the aerial battles over Germany: Lt. Col. Hubert Zemke, Lt. Robert Rankin, and Luftwaffe squadron commander Günther Rall. Through original footage, expert military analyses, and never-before-seen interviews with the participants, Germany’s Last Ace revisits the events of May 12, 1944, which Nazi armaments minister Albert Speer considered the day that Germany lost the war. The follow-up to the successful release of Missions That Changed the War: The Doolittle Raid (2013), the DVD 2-disc set includes four episodes, 22-min. interview with historian Dr. Kurt Braatz, 16-page viewer’s guide, and more ($49.99, AcornOnline.com).

After his defeat in the Battle of Britain, Adolf Hitler turned east and unleashed his blitzkrieg tactics on the Soviet Union. When he failed to capture Moscow or secure a Russian surrender, Germany faced a daunting scenario—a two-front war. As the Soviets pushed the Nazis back across the steppes, the RAF and the U.S. Eighth Air Force unleashed a sustained bombing campaign in the West.

Episodes: Germany Rising, Barbarossa, 3 Turning Point, Out of Gas

BONUS FEATURES: Interview with historian Dr. Kurt Braatz (22 min.); 16-page viewer’s guide with reminiscences about Günther Rall by writer/producer Jon Tennyson, a biography of Rall, and articles on Hitler’s two-front war and the German ideal of Lebensraum; Timeline of the momentous month of May 1944

Street Date: Aug. 27, 2013                           SRP: $49.99                           UPC: 054961883196

DVD 2-Disc Set – 4 episodes - Approx. 180 min., plus bonus – SDH subtitles

Contains coarse language

My Thoughts

Missions That Changed the War is an amazing documentary series that allows younger generations to step back in time and understand what our parents and grandparents fought for.  In Germany's Last Ace, we focus on planes and pilots of the war with special focus on  German Pilot Günther Rall. We even get to see a real interview with him which is an excellent feature. The documentary walks you through Rall's life him his childhood to his battles against the British. This amazing man actually survived being shot down eight times during his flights. 

There are four disks in the DVD set. Germany Rising discusses the beginning of the war and how Rall came to be a pilot. Barbarossa brings us the attack of the Soviet Union and the first time Rall is shot down and honored. In this episode, America also comes into the war. Turning Point shows how Germany changed from offense to defense and how Rall fit into all that. And finally, Out of Gas shows us how Gunther earned the title of Last Ace. Definitely a great series, and though there were portions that were a little dragged out, I would still recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical documentaries. 

If you love a good documentary  about the  history of war, than this is the box set for you. You can order Missions That Changed the War: Germany's Last Ace on  DVD for only $49.99 at Acorn Media.

 ***Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for this post. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way. ***