In Saving Private Ryan, Tom Hanks played Captain John H. Miller, thrilling audiences and shocking critics.
As the World War II anniversary approaches, Hanks is remembering one of the deadliest wars in history.
Part of a History Channel series that honors America’s 250th independence anniversary, the actor reenacted Nazi Germany’s invasion of Poland.
“In less than a month, a major European nation has been wiped off the map,” Hanks says, as he contemplates grim footage of explosions and soldiers firing at each other.
“In the first 24 hours the Germans took railways, bridges and airfields.
Sam Houston State University professor Jadwiga Biskupska emphasizes the brutal invasion, saying, “Polish civilians experience modern war in an incredibly horrific way. They see people killed. It’s a nightmare.”
Separately, Professor Alexandra Ritchie of the Collegium Civitas in Warsaw says, “The Poles have a modern army. It is the fifth largest army in the world, and it is equipped with modern tanks, all types of artillery and armored vehicles.”
“But Hitler is devoting almost all his resources to equipping the army,” she adds. “The Poles were shot down.”
The first three episodes of Hanks’ debut will premiere on May 25.
