IDRIS ELBA HELPS CELEBRATE WW2 HEROES OF COLOUR FOR NAT GEO SERIES

National Geographic have announced new four-part series honouring the contributions and sacrifices of overlooked Allied soldiers of colour, Erased: WW2's Heroes Of Color. The series launched Monday 27th May at 8pm and is narrated by actor Idris Elba, who also serves as Executive Producer.

Produced by October Films and Elba’s 22Summers, Erased: WW2's Heroes Of Color uncovers the long-lost legacies of soldiers of colour during World War II. This landmark series sheds light on the immense contributions of over eight million individuals who fought heroically for the Allied forces and whose stories have largely gone untold.

The four-part series weaves a blend of historical dramatisations 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 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 HARBOUR

This episode tells the story of three Black sailors who not only miraculously survived the attack on Pearl Harbour 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 honoured after their return.

D-DAY

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

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

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.

  Erased: WW2's Heroes Of Color launches Monday 27th May at 8pm on National Geographic (UK).