On 7 May 1765 the HMS Victory was floated out of Chatham’s Royal Dockyard. She would become the most famous ships in the British Royal Navy and achieve everlasting fame as the flagship of Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson in Britain’s greatest ever naval victory, the defeat of the French and Spanish at the Battle of Trafalgar.
During WWII, a platoon of American soldiers trudge through the Italian countryside in search of a bridge they have been ordered to blow up, encountering danger and destruction along the way.
The ongoing battle for domination of the seas has been one of immeasurable devastation and technological innovation. Wooden hulls were encased in iron, sails replaced by some of the most powerful engines ever built, and cannons outgunned by missiles capable of toppling empires. From the most deadly submarines ever seen to the infamous destroyers of the Second World War, this episode is the story of what it takes to rule the waves.
The Heroes of the Somme uses original archive from the Western Front to uncover the stories of seven of the men whose remarkable bravery in 1916 won them the Victoria Cross, Britain's most prized military medal.
By the end of June 1940 Britain stood alone in the war against Nazi Germany. Ahead lay a long hot summer as a battle for national survival was fought in the skies over Britain in full view of the population. Not only did Britain’s fate depend on the outcome of the battle but also the freedom of the rest of Europe and, ultimately, the outcome of the Second World War. Today the Battle of Britain stands as one of the pivotal moments in Britain’s long history
Britain has always played a very important role in the aeronautic industry, from Sir George Cayley who designed the first actual model of an aeroplane to Sir Frank Whittle who is credited with single handedly inventing the turbojet engine.
Documenting the changing face of tank warfare over the past 100 years, this fascinating documentary is not to be missed by those with an interest in military history and weapon development.
From the moment men started building walls other men have needed a way to knock them down. The history of artillery is the history of that desire and highlights in no uncertain terms how destructive human innovation can be, from the first grenade to a cannon that fires atomic shells and more. This episode tells the story of that journey showcasing both big and the small artillery and the impact they have had on warfare.
The ability to move swiftly and strategically across the battlefield has been a deciding factor in warfare since the dawn on man. Through the ages the methods by which we move have evolved, from horses to Humvees to some of the most versatile vehicles ever built. This episode showcases that journey by highlighting some of the most influential movers ever to take to the battlefield including some of the most infamous tanks of the Second World War and more.
Whether being revered or reviled, no one can deny the invention of the gun has forever changed the way wars are fought and won. From humble beginnings to a weapon that has built Empires, toppled Kingdoms, and slaughtered millions, the story of the gun and how it has evolved throughout the centuries is long. But, of all the things the gun has been throughout the ages, it has never been anything less than influential.
