Nat Geo is honoring historical moments from World War 2’s Soldiers of Color with two new specials on Monday, June 3. At 9/8c, ERASED: WW2’S HEROES OF COLOR, a four-part docuseries executive produced and narrated by Idris Elba, will premiere, and THE REAL RED TAILS, a one-hour documentary narrated by Sheryl Lee Ralph will start the evening at 8/7c. Both specials will stream the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.
The documentary tells the story of a P-39 airplane in Lake Huron, Michigan, focusing on the most important WW2 archeological missions in the Great Lakes. On the morning of April 11, 1944, Tuskegee pilot 22-year-old Second Lieutenant Frank Moody perished in what should have been a routine training mission when his plane malfunctioned and took a nosedive into the chilly waters. With unprecedented access, the one-hour special, narrated by Ralph, will take viewers on a journey to uncover the 80-year-old mystery of how and why Moody’s plane ultimately went down. The special enlists teams of underwater archeologists to recover parts of the downed plane for the first time and weaves in firsthand accounts from fellow airmen along with underwater footage from the wreck to give a final answer to the mystery.
“Erased :WW2’s Heroes of Color” is a four-part series that mixes historical dramatizations with curated archival footage, bridging the past with the present to highlight new perspectives on established histories. The series showcases the personal narratives of soldiers through their never-before-aired oral testimonies and journal writings, along with powerful accounts from their descendants — stories passed down through the generations. These gripping and emotional testimonies transport viewers back in time to witness bravery unfold in WW2’s iconic theatres of war.
Each episode focuses on at least three extraordinary heroes, from a 16-year-old New Yorker to an aristocrat from India:
“PEARL HARBOR”
Premieres June 3 at 9/8c on Nat Geo, Streams June 4 on Disney+ and Hulu
This episode tells the story of three Black sailors who not only miraculously survived the attack on Pearl Harbor but also saved countless lives. Working as messmen below deck on segregated ships, hundreds of Black sailors fought for their lives as Japanese bombs hit, with some performing incredible acts of heroism. It took years before many of these men were properly honored after their return.
“D-DAY”
Premieres June 3 at 10/9c on Nat Geo, Streams June 4 on Disney+ and Hulu
In this episode, we unearth the hidden heroes of the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion who helped liberate Europe. These American soldiers were the only all-Black combat unit to fight on the D-Day beaches. After valiantly serving their country, they returned home, hoping for the Civil Rights Movement to secure change, only to find a country where their heroics in France were quickly forgotten.
“DUNKIRK”
Premieres June 10 at 9/8c on Nat Geo, Streams June 4 on Disney+ and Hulu
This episode reveals the gripping story of Force K6, a little-known Indian regiment of mule handlers in WW2, with one unit destined to be pivotal in evacuating Allied forces at Dunkirk. Other units who were stranded or captured in Nazi-occupied France had to find ways to escape to safety. Later, their wartime experiences fed the fight to end nearly 200 years of colonial rule in India.
“BATTLE OF THE BULGE”
Premieres June 10 at 10/9c on Nat Geo, Streams June 4 on Disney+ and Hulu
This episode explores the untold story of the Black Panthers, an elite African American tank battalion. Unseen diaries and rare interviews chart the unit’s action through France, Belgium and Germany, including in the bloodiest American battle of WW2: the Battle of the Bulge. Their experiences inspired not just the fight for civil rights in the U.S. but also battles for freedom worldwide.
