HEROES OF THE RESISTANCE

As a central Allied power on the edge of Europe, the UK played a role in assisting resistance efforts elsewhere, particularly through the Special Operations Executive (SOE).

As swathes of Eastern Europe were swallowed by Nazi occupation, Jewish, Roma and Sinti people were forced into ghettos. These isolated, rundown neighbourhoods were rife with starvation, disease and overcrowding, and staggering mortality rates became the norm. 

Though the US did not enter WWII officially until December 1941, the nation had become increasingly involved in the war from 1940 onwards, including sending supplies to the Allies. After declaring war on the Axis following Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbour, the US fought in the Pacific, in East and Southeast Asia, North Africa and in Europe in WWII. A number of Americans were also involved in resistance efforts in Europe.

Hundreds of thousands of people joined resistance movements during the Second World War. In every corner of Europe, ordinary men and women from all backgrounds prepared to take on fascism and the Nazi war machine. In this section, we tell a series of stories of heroism through the Heroes of the Resistance video and podcast series.