KBS is ambitiously presenting the special three-part documentary series 'World 1945' in 2025, with the first episode 'The Black Blood of Desire, Oil' asking 'Why has oil come to dominate the world?'
The KBS1 special three-part documentary series 'World 1945 (planned by Son Jong-ho, executive producer Lee Gi-yeon, producer Kim Jong-seok, directed by Jeong Beom-soo, Park Nam-yong, Kim Do-won, Kim Sang-beom)' will illuminate oil, the true driving force behind the wars in the world. Oil, which has become a decisive variable shaping the current world, was also a factor that determined the direction of the front lines during World War II.
Germany's Hitler implemented a rapid maneuver warfare strategy that emphasized speed during World War II. The reason Germany had to move quickly was because it held only about 3 to 4 months' worth of fuel. This was a serious weakness that even the Allies could sense. Germany targeted Romania, which had abundant oil fields. Romania was the first country in the world to begin commercial oil production, as it was already filled with oil drilling rigs. Ultimately, Romania became the 'black blood' and 'energy' that drove the German 'war machine.'
Japan was no different. After launching a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, Japan occupied Brunei. Brunei, the fourth largest oil-producing country in Asia, started oil pumping in 1929, and it continues to extract oil to this day. It is said that 'cola is more expensive than oil,' highlighting the region's oil abundance. Immediately after the Pearl Harbor attack, Japan seized Brunei. Even as the British and Dutch, who had been the rulers before, were retreating, they destroyed the oil refining facilities and left, indicating that 'oil' was the energy sustaining the war.
Oil was both the driving force that determined the direction of the front lines and sustained the war, and at the same time, it became a deadly shackle that hastened the downfall of Germany and Japan. The truth about the oil wars that changed the world order will be revealed in the first episode of 'World 1945,' airing at 9:30 p.m. on the 10th on KBS.
[OSEN]