BANDS OF BROTHERS WHO MET THEIR MOMENT WITH DESTINY AND FOREVER CHANGED HISTORY ARE PROFILED IN AGAINST THE ODDS, LAUNCH SERIES FOR AMERICAN HEROES CHANNEL (AHC)
Narrated by Rob Lowe, AGAINST THE ODDS Introduces American Heroes Channel on March 3
March 5, 2014
(Pasadena, CA)-During game-changing moments of battle, one wrong move could ultimately cost the war, but lack of teamwork could mean dozens of lives lost in an instant. When faced with insurmountable opposition, the brave U.S. troops featured in American Heroes Channel's (AHC) launch series AGAINST THE ODDS, didn't retreat in weakness but banded together in strength and trust to meet their moment with destiny. Narrated by actor Rob Lowe, AGAINST THE ODDS introduces real-life bands of brothers who exhibited unparalleled bravery, solidarity and endurance on the battlefield to come out on top in a fight against impossible odds. Reliving battles from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq, these are true stories of the harsh realities of war, as told by the veterans who survived to tell. With brotherhoods so strong they turned perceived defeat into tremendous victory, American Heroes Channel is proud to announce the six-part series AGAINST THE ODDS as its launch series, premiering Monday, March 3 at 10/9c.
"As we broaden the scope of Military Channel and propel it to its next chapter, there is no stronger series that embodies the intersection between American history and military, as there are no greater heroes than those who have served our country," said Kevin Bennett, General Manager, American Heroes Channel. "These are the men and women who personify American Heroes Channel, and we are honored to have AGAINST THE ODDS introduce our new name to our viewers."
Each episode of AGAINST THE ODDS uses archival war footage and first-hand interviews to recreate pivotal moments played out from the under-the-helmet perspective of those battling on the frontlines. Hear directly from the men who stared death in the face and with the cards stacked against them, miraculously turned the tables on their enemy. Bonded by their heroic commitment to serve and protect, no matter the rival or risk at hand, these are the stories of the quintessential American heroes who watched their brothers and sisters fight, bleed and die to help protect our freedom.
Complete episode guide for AGAINST THE ODDS is as follows:
The Marines at Hue Premieres Monday, March 3 at 10/9c The city of Hue, South Vietnam, was the site of one of the fiercest battles of the Vietnam War. Three understrength U.S. Marine battalions attacked and soundly defeated entrenched enemy troops, liberating Hue for South Vietnam. This episode tells the story of one of the most significant battles of Vietnam, while zooming in to provide an under-the-helmet perspective of the young men from Alpha, Fox, Golf and Hotel Companies who fought and recaptured Hue City.
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Those Damned Engineers Premieres Monday, March 10 at 10/9c In December, 1944, the Germans secretly mustered 600,000 battle-hardened troops into an all-out offensive to capture Antwerp, attempting to force the allies to a negotiated end of the war without a German defeat. Thanks to those "Damned Engineers," the Germans never got to Antwerp. The delays would be just long enough to run down the Nazis and to allow Patton to race up from the south. Quickly the huge enemy offensive died and with it, the last hope of Germany.
The Heroes of Tarawa Premieres Monday, March 17 at 10/9c Everything went wrong in America's first test of whether the Japanese-held islands of the Pacific, the key steppingstones to the doorstep of Japan, could be captured by across-the-beach infantry assaults. History's lessons were grim and the tactic seemingly disastrous. But, the march back from Pearl Harbor had to begin and the testing ground would be heavily fortified Tarawa, proclaimed by a Japanese commander that "Tarawa could not be taken by a million men in a million years." If he had been right, the Japanese would have won the Pacific war.
The Battle for Sugar Loaf Hill Premieres Monday, March 24 at 10/9c Taking an otherwise nondescript hill on the embattled island of Okinawa proved to be one of the most incredible battles of WWII. The young Marines of Charlie Company strained against the searing Pacific sun to see the top of Sugar Loaf Hill, an epic battle would come down to the sheer courage, ingenuity, and guts of the troops. This episode captures all the fury, heartbreak, and spectacular moments of those seven days in hell that would forever change the course of history.
Bloody George at the Chosin Reservoir Premieres Monday, March 31 at 10/9c Bloody George was an understrength Marine rifle company called to serve their country at the start of the Korean War. As the war turned apocalyptic, a cruel twist of fate awaited Bloody George. Their small numbers would face overwhelming enemies in barbaric battles of carnage, from the invasion of Inchon to the bloody street battles of Seoul and the frozen hell of the Chosin Reservoir. They would endure unimaginable horrors as they desperately fought in hand-to-hand combat to save their fellow brothers trapped by a merciless enemy. Their valor and sacrifice would forever change the course of the war, but few would survive.
A Chance in Hell Premieres Monday, April 14 at 10/9c Since the fall of Fallujah, Ramadi had been the center of the insurgency in Iraq. When Colonel MacFarland arrived in "Iraq's deadliest city" in 2006, the odds could not have been worse. Al-Qaeda has arrogantly declared Ramadi the capital of a new caliphate. The boys of MacFarland's Ready First Combat Team would fight against the odds to give America a victory and help turn the tide of war, a triumph that sustained until January, 2014.
AGAINST THE ODDS is produced for American Heroes Channel by 43 Films with Tracey Connor and Sammy Jackson as executive producers. For American Heroes Channel, Max Culhane is executive producer; Sara Kozak is senior vice president of production; Kevin Bennett is General Manager; and Henry Schleiff is Group President and General Manager.
About American Heroes Channel American Heroes Channel (AHC) is a network from Discovery Communications that tells timeless stories in which a challenge appears - be it a situation or a villain - and a hero arises. Currently in 62 million homes, AHC provides a rare glimpse into major events that shaped our world, visionary leaders and unexpected heroes who made a difference, and the great defenders of our freedom. American Heroes Channel is part of Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the world's #1 nonfiction media company reaching more than 2 billion cumulative subscribers in 220 countries and territories.
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