“The Great War” is a two-night cinematic documentary series covering America’s involvement in World War I across the critical years of 1917 and 1918.

After three years of battle in the trenches of Belgium and France, the Allies are on the verge of collapse – and Germany the cusp of victory.

USA are forced to rapidly train, arm, and ship millions of young soldiers overseas to Europe for the first time.

The story is told through the eyes of General John J Pershing, leader of the American Expeditionary Force, who is charged with training and deploying an army almost from scratch.

Michael B Ellis, played by Conradie van Heerden, is a young man fighting with the Army’s soon to be legendary Big Red One alongside Horace Pippin and Henry Johnson.

“The Great War” weaves together the stories of these four men to tell one story : how an isolationist America reluctantly entered World War I and emerged a global power.

The two-night event will air on Monday, 27 May on History Channel.