Military & War
The Battle of Britain
This fascinating history documentary tells the story of ‘The Battle of Britain’, a fight for survival that would change the course of World War II. By June 1940, Britain stood alone. France had surrendered; the Allies faced a humiliating retreat from the beaches of Dunkirk. Hitler had succeeded in conquering the rest of Europe. This pivotal battle, fought in the skies, was Britain’s last chance.
Waterloo's Warriors
The army that defeated Napoleon and the French at Waterloo is often regarded as a quintessentially English force. But most of the soldiers under the Duke of Wellington’s command were not English. Through their own accounts, this compelling history documentary tells the stories of the Scots, Irish, Welsh, Dutch, and German troops who fought the battle and of the families who travelled with them.
Ep 1: Eyes of War
It was one of history’s bloodiest battles that changed the face of Europe forever.
Waterloo was one of the bloodiest and most decisive battles in history. The Irish-born Duke of Wellington engaged his army into what would be the last major pitched battle in history, with his countrymen and kilted Highlanders to the fore. This fascinating history documentary uses the testimony of the men who were there to tell the story of a battle where an estimated 50,000 died in 10 hours.
Ep 2: Last Stand at Waterloo
The conclusion of the Battle of Waterloo, with Wellington snatching victory from Napoleon.
With 200,000 men fighting over a small area of land, the Battle of Waterloo was an amazing, gory spectacle. This astonishing history documentary looks at the battle’s conclusion and the tactics of both Napoleon and Wellington that swung the skirmish in England’s favor. But the human cost is also explored, such as Elizabeth McMullen who heroically rescued her injured husband from the battlefield.
Julius Caesar's Greatest Battle
In 52 BC, the future of Rome and Gaul hung in the balance. The fate of a great empire and a proud nation rested on the shoulders of two men: Julius Caesar and Gaul leader Vercingetorix. This fascinating history documentary explores the Battle of Aleisa, one of the greatest battles in history and the long siege that led to the final conquest of Gaul, which is now France.
The Men and the Machines that Beat Hitler
WWII was the ultimate conflict of the machine age, and the tank was its iconic symbol. The ‘tankies’ experienced much of the conflict from the fall of France to the deserts of Africa, D-Day to the final victory in Germany. This fascinating history documentary tells the story of six remarkable men from one armored unit: the Fifth Royal Tank Regiment, also known as the Filthy Fifth.
Episode 1: The Hell of War
The ‘tankies’ face brutal battle conditions in France and the North African desert.
British tank units were integral to victory during WWII. This remarkable history documentary follows the exploits of one extra ordinary regiment using rare footage and interviews with survivors. Their story starts at Dunkirk before moving to vicious fighting in North Africa. Just when this band of ‘tankies’ believe there’s a lull in the action, they must face the beaches of Normandy.
Episode 2: The Smell of Victory
The tank unit struggles against improved Nazi technology before making a breakthrough.
As WWII continues, the ‘tankies’ from the Fifth Royal Tank Regiment struggle with battle conditions in France. But as this stunning history documentary shows, they also faced superior German artillery. After months of attrition, the Fifth made a breakthrough and were soon heading towards German. But tragedy would strike during the war’s final days.
The Mysteries Of The Medieval Ship
In 2002, the remains of an 80ft medieval ship were discovered in a Welsh river. It was the only vessel of its kind to have been found intact in Europe. But what was this unique craft doing there? In this fascinating history documentary, archaeologists trace the ship’s past and uncover secrets dating back to the Wars of the Roses, revealing a turbulent world of piracy and civil war.