Idris Elba Helps Bring Stories of Forgotten Soldiers of World War II to Light

British actor, director, and executive producer Idris Elba poses during a photo call for the film "Yardie" shown in the "Panorama Special" category during the 68th edition of the Berlinale film festival in Berlin, Germany, on Feb. 22, 2018. Stefanie Loos/AFP/Getty Images

British actor Idris Elba has embarked on a new project to bring to light the stories of soldiers of color who served during World War II.

He narrates and executive produces the National Geographic docuseries titled “Erased: WW2’s Heroes of Color.“ This series uncovers the often-overlooked contributions and sacrifices of over 8 million people of color who served with the Allies. The four-part docuseries premiered ahead of the 80th anniversary of D-Day and will be available to stream on Disney Plus and Hulu.

The series details the stories of the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, the only all-black combat flight on the D-Day beaches, and Force K, an Indian regiment of mule handlers from the British army at Dunkirk. The battalion was formed in 1942, a year after the Coast Artillery Corps took over responsibility for barrage balloons from the Army Air Force. It was one of several African-American units formed during World War II in response to increased demands for military personnel.

The battalion was tasked with deploying barrage balloons—large balloons tethered to the ground with steel cables. These balloons were designed to protect strategic locations from low-flying enemy aircraft by creating obstacles that could damage or destroy the planes.

The soldiers of the 320th underwent specialized training in handling and operating barrage balloons, including instruction on their inflation, deployment, maintenance, and recovery, as well as tactics for maximizing their effectiveness in deterring enemy air attacks.

Deployed to the European Theater of Operations, the battalion played a crucial role in the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944. They deployed barrage balloons on Omaha and Utah beaches, helping to shield Allied forces from German air assaults. Their efforts contributed significantly to the success of the landings despite facing hostile fire and the challenges of operating in a combat zone.

The series also features the story of Doris Miller, a mess attendant who took action during the attack on Pearl Harbor despite not being trained in gunnery due to segregation policies of the time.

The docuseries is particularly personal for Mr. Elba, as one of his grandfathers fought in the war, but little is known about his experiences due to a lack of surviving pictures or stories. The docuseries relied on archival footage, interviews with descendants, soldier journalists, and actor dramatizations to bring it to life.

Mr. Elba, known for his roles on HBO’s “The Wire” and the BBC One series “Luther,” was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in 2016. He has previously served as executive producer and producer for multiple projects, such as “Luther: The Fallen Sun.”