Actor Idris Elba's latest work is not just cinematic but deeply personal.
Through the National Geographic docuseries "Erased: WW2's Heroes of Color," Elba highlights over 8 million soldiers of color whose pivotal roles in WWII have been largely unrecognized.
Breitbart News reported that Elba's connection to this project is rooted in family history; his grandfather, too, was a WWII veteran, though details of his service have not been preserved. This absence of personal anecdotes and photographs is a gap Elba seeks to fill for himself and countless others in the series, which debuts on National Geographic and will later be available on Disney+ and Hulu.
Diving deep into untold heroism
The series explores critical WWII battles, including D-Day, Dunkirk, Pearl Harbor, and the Battle of the Bulge. It does so through a mix of archival clips, interviews with descendants, entries from soldiers' journals, and dramatic reenactments.
"Erased: WW2’s Heroes of Color" showcases groups such as the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, a completely Black combat team that saw action on D-Day, and Force K6, an Indian regiment involved in the Dunkirk evacuation.
Foremost among the stories is that of Doris Miller, a Black Navy mess attendee who operated an anti-aircraft gun during the Pearl Harbor attack—despite having no formal training. His valor earned him the Navy Cross.
Stories of resilience and recognition
The medics, too, played indispensable roles, exemplified by Waverly Woodson, Jr., a Black medic who, despite being wounded, managed to treat his fellow soldiers for 30 hours during D-Day. Maryland's Sen. Chris Van Hollen announced that Woodson was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in 2005.
Senator Van Hollen recognized the extraordinary courage and contributions of these overlooked veterans and the importance of acknowledging their sacrifices.
Shianne Brown, the descendant of WWII veterans, reflected on the series, "There’s no such thing as a color barrier in action.”
Their return home, however, was met with the harsh reality of racial injustice despite their heroic contributions overseas. This series also highlights the societal changes these soldiers spurred upon their return, pushing against racial disparities and oppression back home.
Changing perceptions and rewriting history
Idris, in a moment of reflection, shared:
It did impact me just in the narration booth, watching the imagery, looking at the faces, wondering about my personal connect. Could my grandfather be one of the people in one of the pieces? That was what I thought about. So, it did resonate with me.
The series significantly emphasizes the broader impacts of the war on these soldiers, aiming to correct historical oversights and celebrate their contributions.
"A lot of these men and women never felt like they were human before going to Europe and then being treated like a normal human being by the white population," elaborated Shianne Brown, adding a deeper layer to the narrative of heroic action crossing racial boundaries.
Conclusion
Elba encouraged the makers of the docuseries to boldly portray the valor and humanity of these soldiers, hoping to connect audiences with their history in a profound way. "We don’t want to glorify what’s going on, but we wanted to paint the heroism in a way that was relatable to the way we’ve seen films of this nature."
The legacy of valor and struggle for equality by soldiers of color in World War II is a testament to their bravery and a reminder of the ongoing journey toward justice and recognition. The series "Erased: WW2’s Heroes of Color" documents these untold stories and serves as a poignant call to remember and honor these heroes properly.
