The History of the Luftwaffe - A Phoenix Rising

From the ashes of the fires lit in the dog-fights of the skies above the carnage of World War I, a phoenix would rise- the Luftwaffe of the Third Reich. No ordinary air force, the Luftwaffe was to become the handmaiden of Hitler's dream of conquest and a vital component of 'blitzkrieg' or 'lightning war'. However the glories won in Poland, Scandinavia, Holland, Belgium and finally France, as the Nazis marched, victorious, through Europe, were to turn sour. The fuehrer's continual demands upon his air force, as he fanatically pursued his 'Grand design' forced the Luftwaffe into the of workhorse, though incompetence, intrigue and greed amongst its commanders made the task near impossible. Starved of new planes and pilots to fly them, stretched across two fronts in Europe and playing a vital role in North Africa, Goering's elite corps was fatally flawed. This tragic story chronicles the initial brilliant success of the Luftwaffe in Europe, its structure and tactics and the inherit weakness that were to drag the phoenix once again to its inescapable consummation within the fires of Berlin. The story told using very rare footage only recently obtained from the eastern block and not seen in the west since the war.

Battle of the Pacific

The war in the Pacific was essentially a maritime war. This 6 hours of footage will take you through detailing the planning and the battles that lead to the defeat of the Japanese Empire, Gruelling day-to-day activities and harsh weather conditions of protecting Alaska’s Aleutian Islands. The amphibious invasion of Iwo Jima, including aerial bombing plus ground force action using fl ame throwers...An amazing and dramatic collection of documentary’s, giving a detailed account of all that went on at sea from Pearl Harbor to Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Selected works from acclaimed directors: Frank Cappa & John Ford. Narration from John Huston & Henry Fonda.

The Battle of the Atlantic

Tanks! Steel Tigers

The famous Tiger Tanks of the German Panzer forces were only available at the hard pressed front in modest quantites, but this tiny forced forged a legend out of all proportion to its size.

Tanks! Michael Wittmann Tiger Ace

Michael Wittmann was the legendary Tiger Tank commander who saw action in some of the most hotly contested tank battles of World War 2. With over 160 kills the much decorated Wittmann is justifiably famous for his amazing exploits in the battle of Villers Bocage.

Infantry Firepower

In many theatres of operation during World War Two, men did battle from afar. Bombs were dropped from the sky, torpedoes fizzed from submarines, long-range artillery rained shells, tanks blasted through cities. Many battles, however, were fought at closer quarters and it was here that the infantry looked to the power of small arms fire to gain the upper hand. This DVD compares and contrasts some of these weapons, highlighting their development and use by all armies involved in the war. The weapons under review include mortars, landmines, bazookas and hand grenades; some of the most feared instruments of war ever devised. Vivid graphics and animations illustrate the workings and capabilities of the weapons, together with interviews from Dr. Robin Clifton (Warwick University) and veterans who faced these armaments first hand.

Daylight Raids

Whilst the Royal Air Force concentrated on bombing Germany by night, the United States Air Force carried out a dangerous strategic bombing campaign against Nazi Germany during daylight hours. On every raid some bombers suffered damage, exploding in mid-air, falling from the sky in pieces or in tears of flames. Operating from airfields in rural England, the Flying Fortresses and Liberator Bombers of the Eighth Air Force, and later the Ninth Air Force, escorted by Thunderbolt and Mustang fighters, learnt hard lesson in the skies over Europe. Daylight bombing was not exclusive to Europe and our programmes ends with a brief look at the Pacific theatre of war and Hiroshima.

The Story Of The SAS

North Africa 1943. The SAS tally of enemy planes has surpassed 400. Hitler is enraged. "These men are dangerous and should be hunted down at all costs..."

A precedent had been set that would never falter. The SAS was born.

This is the remarkable story of Britain's elite fighting regiment. Diverse and multi faceted, it encompases the relentless spectrum of human conflict. From the inhospitable deserts of North Africa to the deep, uncharted jungles of Borneo, whether it is scaling the precipitous Jebel Akdhar at night fully laden, or abseiling through the blast shattered windows of the Iranian Embassy - The SAS continue to redifine the role of special forces worldwide.

Using previously unseen footage and rare interviews, the story of the SAS provides an account of unparalleled tenacity and heroism.

The SAS: Who Dares Wins.

Battlefield: Air War Over Germany

This documentary covers the Allied Bomber Offensive against Nazi Germany during World War II. With the aim of disrupting industrial production and affecting civilian morale, the controversy over the moral implications of inflicting such heavy civilian casualities rages on today.Discussing the tactics used by the RAF after the Battle of Britain, where their 'Strategic Bombing Campaign' came into play. Featuring archive footage, graphics and a political and military review of the situation.

WarBirds Of World War II (Part 3)

Allied Airmen POWs

Find out what its like to be a POW in Germany during World War II. First person accounts, rare photos and archival footage are woven together to tell the story of these brave young men. From their disastrous final missions to their joyful liberation, see what life was like for those locked up behind the wire deep in enemy territory.