In September 1939, Nazi Germany plunged Europe into a Second World War, conquering nations with swift, brutal efficiency. By late 1943, Allied advances had forced the once mighty?Nazi war machine onto the defensive. Faced with the growing possibility of defeat, Hitler took desperate measures further galvanizing Allied resolve to spare no effort in annihilating the murderous Third Reich. 

Session 1: The Skeletal Hand of Justice Unleashed. Victory at Stalingrad combined with a growing air campaign and an industrial miracle spelled one word for Nazi Germany:?DOOM.?? 

Session 2: For the Dishonored Dead. In the months after Overlord, the Allies grew more confident about their eventual victory over Nazi barbarism until horrific discoveries shook their faith in fundamental humanity.? 

Session 3: Last Gasp and A Reckoning. In the fifty-ninth minute of Nazi Germany's eleventh hour the world's noose tightened around its neck, but Hitler had more misery to inflict.? ?? 

Session 4: The Ghost of 1919. Nazi defeat was total but as the dust settled and smoke cleared from the 20th Century's second conflagration, leaders scrambled to not squander the peace.? 

Fred L. Johnson III is a professor of history at Hope College. His primary field of study is the American Civil War. Along with teaching the history of U.S. foreign policy, his other specialty areas include?Africa, the?U.S. military,?and?20th Century U.S.?