Erased: WW2’s Heroes of Color continues its exploration of World War II’s unsung heroes with the second episode, airing on National Geographic on Monday, June 3, 2024, at 10:00 PM. The episode, titled “D-Day,” focuses on the heroic contributions of the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion during the liberation of Europe.
Narrated by Idris Elba, the episode looks into the experiences of the only all-Black combat unit to fight on the D-Day beaches. These American soldiers, returning home after their service, played a crucial role in one of the most significant military operations in history.
The story of the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion is one of courage and determination in the face of adversity. These soldiers not only faced the challenges of combat but also navigated the realities of racial segregation in the military. Their skills in operating barrage balloons, which protected the Allied forces from enemy aircraft, were instrumental in the success of the D-Day landings.
“D-Day” tells the personal stories of these soldiers, highlighting their training, their deployment to the beaches of Normandy, and the obstacles they overcame. The episode also explores the broader context of racial inequality in the 1940s, looking at the civil rights struggles that continued even as these soldiers fought for freedom overseas.
Erased: WW2’s Heroes of Color: D-Day airs on National Geographic on Monday, June 3, 2024, at 10:00 PM.
