Season 1 (1973)

A New Germany (1933–1939)
7.5

October 31, 1973 • 1h

Germany, a nation stricken by humiliating defeat and emerging from crippling economic depression, looks to one man for a resurgenc...Read more

Distant War (September 1939–May 1940)
7.3

November 7, 1973 • 1h

In Eastern Europe, the full force of the Nazi machine rolls on - but in Britain, an uneasy calm settles on the nation. It is the '...Read more

France Falls (May–June 1940)
8.2

November 14, 1973 • 1h

France discovers it is woefully unprepared for modern warfare as the Nazi war machine easily skirts around the Maginot Line. Brita...Read more

Alone (May 1940–May 1941)
7.0

November 21, 1973 • 1h

After Dunkirk, Britain faces the German onslaught. Although the Rap wins the Battle of Britain, the cities are blitzed and on the ...Read more

Barbarossa (June–December 1941)
7.0

November 28, 1973 • 1h

Hitler at last turns his tanks towards Russia. After a succession of devastating victories, the Germans delay and the fierce Russi...Read more

Banzai! Japan (1931–1942)
7.5

December 5, 1973 • 1h

At war since 1931 on the Chinese mainland, the Japanese hope for easy victories over the British and Dutch. And then on December 7...Read more

On Our Way: U.S.A. (1939–1942)
8.0

December 12, 1973 • 1h

Americans are divided between fighting the Japanese and the Nazis. Hitler solves the problem by declaring war on the U.S.A.

The Desert: North Africa (1940–1943)
6.5

December 19, 1973 • 1h

For 2 years the 8th Army and Rommel's Afrika Corps fight in the wastes of North Africa. Finally the tide turns at El Alamein.

Stalingrad (June 1942-February 1943)
6.5

January 2, 1974 • 54m

Hitler's early successes in Russia made him reckless and he resolves to capture Stalingrad. The battle lasts six months with the R...Read more

Wolfpack: U-Boats in the Atlantic (1939–1944)
6.0

January 16, 1974 • 54m

In a war of high technology and animal courage, the German U-Boats fight Allied merchantmen, hounding them in packs.

Red Star: The Soviet Union (1941–1943)
6.0

January 23, 1974 • 55m

For two years the Soviet Army fights the Germans almost alone. After one of the greatest land battles in history, the nation survi...Read more

Whirlwind: Bombing Germany (September 1939–April 1944)
6.7

January 30, 1974 • 55m

Bomber Command begin bombing German cities by night and the Americans reinforce the attacks by day; a whirlwind of terror and dest...Read more

Tough Old Gut: Italy (November 1942-June 1944)
7.0

January 30, 1974 • 53m

Churchill called Italy the 'soft underbelly of the crocodile' and thought the Allies could cut through it to the heart of Germany....Read more

It's a Lovely Day Tomorrow: Burma (1942–1944)
6.5

February 13, 1974 • 55m

Vera Lynn sang of a lovely day tomorrow, but the war in Burma was mud and monsoon. Britain's largest army learned to master the ju...Read more

Home Fires: Britain (1940–1944)
7.0

February 20, 1974 • 55m

Finding strength in unity at home in Britain during the war, it was a time of gas masks, Winston Churchill, Dig for Victory, evacu...Read more

Inside the Reich: Germany (1940–1944)
4.7

February 27, 1974 • 55m

Initial victory in Europe turns sour after the defeat at Stalingrad, yet Germany prepares to fight to the end - even after an assa...Read more

Morning (June–August 1944)
8.0

March 6, 1974 • 55m

The Western Allies resolve to invade Europe. England becomes a floating supply dump and the British and Americans assemble the lar...Read more

Occupation: Holland (1940–1944)
6.5

March 13, 1974 • 55m

Through a neutral country, Holland is attacked by Germany without warning in 1940. During the next four years, life carries on see...Read more

Pincers (August 1944–March 1945)
7.5

March 20, 1974 • 55m

The end of the war appears close at hand with the liberation of Paris in 1944, but the British and Americans disagree on how to ad...Read more

Genocide (1941–1945)
10.0

March 27, 1974 • 55m

The Nazi's are racist; the Aryans are a master race, others, particularly the Jews are sub-human. Himmler's SS sets about ridding ...Read more

Nemesis (February–May 1945)
8.3

April 3, 1974 • 55m

Hitler retreats to the Fuhrer bunker is Berlin as Germany crumbles around him and his lieutenants abandon him to a fate of suicide...Read more

Japan (1941–1945)
6.0

April 10, 1974 • 53m

Initially apprehensive about the outcome of declaring war, the Japanese quickly turn to celebration with early victory. In the end...Read more

Pacific - The Island to Island War (February 1942–July 1945)
6.0

April 17, 1974 • 53m

The Americans fight their way across the Pacific towards Japan and the Phillipines. Perhaps the bloodiest campaign of all, each is...Read more

The Atomic Bomb (February–September 1945)
8.0

April 24, 1974 • 55m

Western scientists have developed a new, immensely powerful weapon - the atomic bomb. On August 6th 1945, the Enola Gay delivers t...Read more

Reckoning (April 1945)
7.0

May 1, 1974 • 54m

The war ends slowly and messily. Britain is victorious but exhausted and the super-powers confront each other as they decide the fate of Europe.

Remember
6.5

May 8, 1974 • 52m

For many the Second World War was the most significant experience of their lives. Heartbreaking first hand remembrances from a vas...Read more