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Fighting For Freedom

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This month we continue to bring you fascinating stories from the front lines. Go on a journey with a Vietnamese family as they search for answers after the war, hear the personal recollections of WWII and Vietnam-era soldiers, learn how the Nazis rose to power in Germany, watch the conclusion of Atlantic Crossing on Masterpiece and more.

Finding the Virgo 
MONDAY, MAY 3, 10 PM 

Finding the Virgo recounts the lesser-told chapter of what occurred after the United States withdrew from the Vietnam War. The documentary follows the Vuong family through the patriarch’s imprisonment, the family’s harrowing escape and rescue at sea and their daughter’s decades-long search for the captain and crew of the LNG Virgo, the ship that gave them life.

Airdates: 

  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Mon, 05/03/2021 @ 10 PM
  • WTVP-REMOTE 47.2 – Tue, 05/11/2021 @ 6:30 PM
  • WTVP-REMOTE 47.2 – Tue, 05/11/2021 @ 11 PM
  • WTVP-REMOTE 47.2 – Thu, 05/13/2021 @ 3 PM
  • WTVP-REMOTE 47.2 – Fri, 05/14/2021 @ 12 AM
  • WTVP-REMOTE 47.2 – Sat, 05/15/2021 @ 11 PM
  • WTVP-REMOTE 47.2 – Sat, 05/15/2021 @ 6:30 PM

Vietnam War: Personal Reflections
SUNDAY, MAY 23, 6 PM 

In this WTVP original production more than a dozen Vietnam War veterans from Central Illinois recount their tours of duty, including ground and air combat, the fighting environment, their living conditions, coping with the loss of friends and health issues, including the effects of Agent Orange. They also reflect on the reception they received upon returning home and their opinions of the war.

Airdates: 

  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Sun, 05/23/2021 @ 6 PM

 

Ernie Pyle: Life in the Trenches 
SATURDAY, MAY 29, 8:30 PM 

He is known as “America’s storyteller.” Famed WWII correspondent Ernie Pyle remains one of the most accomplished and beloved journalists in American history. Ernie Pyle: Life in the Trenches tells the story of the Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist who reached millions each week with stories about ordinary Americans doing extraordinary things.

Airdates: 

  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Sat, 05/29/2021 @ 8:30 PM

 

1st To Fight: Pacific War Marines 
SUNDAY, MAY 30, 6 PM 

1st To Fight: Pacific War Marines tells the story of the brave men of the famed 1st Marine Division — the oldest, largest and most decorated division of the U.S. Marine Corps.Narrated by actor Jon Seda the film recounts the role of the 1st Marine Division in the United States' first major offensive in the Pacific theater during World War II.

Airdates: 

  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Sun, 05/30/2021 @ 6 PM

World War II Stories from the Heart (Four-part series)
SUNDAY, MAY 30, 10-12 PM

Another WTVP original production, World War II: Stories from the Heart, is a collection of local stories from Central Illinois individuals who served in the military or on the home front during the war.

Airdates:

Part 1

  • WTVP-WORLD 47.3 – Fri, 05/07/2021 @ 7 PM
  • WTVP-REMOTE 47.2 – Thu, 05/13/2021 @ 6:30 PM
  • WTVP-REMOTE 47.2 – Thu, 05/13/2021 @ 11 PM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Sun, 05/30/2021 @ 10 PM

 

Part 2 

  • WTVP-WORLD 47.3 – Fri, 05/14/2021 @ 7 PM
  • WTVP-REMOTE 47.2 – Thu, 05/13/2021 @ 7 PM
  • WTVP-REMOTE 47.2 – Thu, 05/13/2021 @ 11:30 PM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Sun, 05/30/2021 @ 10:30 PM


Part 3

  • WTVP-WORLD 47.3 – Fri, 05/21/2021 @ 7 PM
  • WTVP-REMOTE 47.2 – Thu, 05/20/2021 @ 6:30 PM
  • WTVP-REMOTE 47.2 – Thu, 05/20/2021 @ 11 PM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Sun, 05/30/2021 @ 11 PM


Part 4

  • WTVP-WORLD 47.3 – Fri, 05/28/2021 @ 7 PM
  • WTVP-REMOTE 47.2 – Thu, 05/20/2021 @ 7 PM
  • WTVP-REMOTE 47.2 – Thu, 05/20/2021 @ 11:30 PM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Sun, 05/30/2021 @ 11:30 PM
Rise of the Nazis

See how Adolf Hitler and the Nazis rise to power and usher in the death of democracy.

Rise of the Nazis 
SUNDAYS, MAY 2, 9, 16 7 PM

See how Adolf Hitler and the Nazis rise to power. In 1930, Germany is a liberal democracy. Just four years later, democracy is dead, Germany's leader is a dictator, and the government is in the hands of the Nazis.
 

May 2, 7 PM — Politics 

Learn the chain of events that propels Hitler from the fringes to the heart of the government. After leading a failed coup in 1923, he turns the Nazis into a legitimate, mainstream party and plots to overthrow Germany's political elite.

Airdates: 

  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Sun, 05/02/2021 @ 7 PM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Tue, 05/04/2021 @ 2 AM
  • WTVP-WORLD 47.3 – Fri, 05/07/2021 @ 6 PM
  • WTVP-WORLD 47.3 – Fri, 05/07/2021 @ 11 PM
  • WTVP-WORLD 47.3 – Sat, 05/08/2021 @ 7 AM

 

May 9, 7 PM — The First Six Months in Power 

Discover the measures Chancellor Hitler takes to dismantle the German state. The Nazis have the power to ban free speech, books are burned, and Jewish people, gay people and those holding anti-Nazi beliefs begin to disappear.

Airdates: 

  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Sun, 05/09/2021 @ 7 PM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Tue, 05/11/2021 @ 2 AM
  • WTVP-WORLD 47.3 – Fri, 05/14/2021 @ 6 PM
  • WTVP-WORLD 47.3 – Fri, 05/14/2021 @ 11 PM
  • WTVP-WORLD 47.3 – Sat, 05/15/2021 @ 7 AM

 

May 16, 7 PM — Night of the Long Knives

See how Hitler finds himself caught between Germany's president and the Nazis' power base. His advisors persuade him to destroy the Nazi stormtroopers and their leader -- one of his oldest friends -- to make the SS Germany's only paramilitary force.

Airdates:

  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Sun, 05/16/2021 @ 7 PM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Tue, 05/18/2021 @ 2 AM
  • WTVP-WORLD 47.3 – Fri, 05/21/2021 @ 6 PM
  • WTVP-WORLD 47.3 – Fri, 05/21/2021 @ 11 PM
  • WTVP-WORLD 47.3 – Sat, 05/22/2021 @ 7 AM

Masterpiece
Atlantic Crossing 
SUNDAYS, MAY 2, 9, 16, 23, 8 PM 

See how a princess steals the heart of the president of the United States in this epic drama based on the WW II relationship of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Norwegian Crown Princess Martha.

May 2, 8 PM — Empty Promises

Martha uses dinner-table tactics to help Norway. The first lady gives Martha unusual lessons in public speaking. The president gets on dangerous ground with Martha.

Airdates: 

  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Sun, 05/02/2021 @ 8 PM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Mon, 05/03/2021 @ 12 AM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Tue, 05/04/2021 @ 3 AM

 

MAY 9, 8 PM — The Giant Awakes

America enters the war, and Olav arrives from England. Missy grows suspicious of ties between Martha and the president, as does Olav. Meanwhile, a dastardly Nazi plot unfolds.

Airdates: 

  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Sun, 05/09/2021 @ 8 PM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Mon, 05/10/2021 @ 12 AM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Tue, 05/11/2021 @ 3 AM

 

MAY 16, 8 PM — The Gift

A Nazi agent slips through the cracks, putting the children at risk. Martha travels to England and gets a shock. A Norwegian war hero meets a tragic fate.

Airdates: 

  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Sun, 05/16/2021 @ 8 PM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Mon, 05/17/2021 @ 12 AM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Tue, 05/18/2021 @ 3 AM

Atlantic Crossing: Official Teaser

 

 

MAY 23, 8PM — A Queen Returns

With the war almost over, the president's health takes a bad turn. Olav tries to keep Norway out of the clutches of the Soviets. He also faces rocky relations with Martha.

Airdates: 

  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Sun, 05/23/2021 @ 8 PM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Mon, 05/24/2021 @ 12 AM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Tue, 05/25/2021 @ 4 AM

Masterpiece 
World on Fire 
SUNDAYS, MAY 2, 9, 16 9 PM

Follow the intertwining fates of ordinary people as they grapple with the effects of World War II on their everyday lives. Set in Britain, Poland, France and Germany, the events of the series take place during the first year of the war.

MAY 2, 9 PM — Episode 5

Harry and his unit reach Dunkirk, with the odds stacked against them.

Airdates: 

  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Sun, 05/02/2021 @ 9 PM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Mon, 05/03/2021 @ 1 AM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Tue, 05/04/2021 @ 4 AM

 

MAY 9, 9 PM — Episode 6

Paris falls to the Nazis, and Webster and Albert's lives are turned upside down.

Airdates: 

  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Sun, 05/09/2021 @ 9 PM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Mon, 05/10/2021 @ 1 AM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Tue, 05/11/2021 @ 4 AM

 

MAY 16, 9 PM — Episode 7

Harry has a second chance at saving Kasia from Warsaw. In Manchester, could Lois be set for happiness at last?

Airdates: 

  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Sun, 05/16/2021 @ 9 PM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Mon, 05/17/2021 @ 1 AM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 – Tue, 05/18/2021 @ 4 AM