The World at War (1973–1974)

1. S01E01A New Germany (1933–1939)October 31, 1973 8.9Germany, a nation stricken by humiliating defeat and emerging from crippling economic depression, looks to one man for a resurgence of hope
2. S01E02Distant War (September 1939–May 1940)November 7, 1973 8.1In Eastern Europe, the full force of the Nazi machine rolls on - but in Britain, an uneasy calm settles on the nation. It is the 'phoney' wa
3. S01E03France Falls (May–June 1940)November 14, 1973 8.6France discovers it is woefully unprepared for modern warfare as the Nazi war machine easily skirts around the Maginot Line. Britain retreat
4. S01E04Alone (May 1940–May 1941)November 21, 1973 8.2After Dunkirk, Britain faces the German onslaught. Although the RAF wins the Battle of Britain, the cities are blitzed and on the continent,
5. S01E05Barbarossa (June–December 1941)November 28, 1973 8.0Hitler at last turns his tanks towards Russia. After a succession of devastating victories, the Germans delay and the fierce Russian winter
6. S01E06Banzai! Japan (1931–1942)December 5, 1973 8.2At war since 1931 on the Chinese mainland, the Japanese hope for easy victories over the British and Dutch. And then on December 7th 1941, J
7. S01E07On Our Way: U.S.A. (1939–1942)December 12, 1973 8.3Americans are divided between fighting the Japanese and the Nazis. Hitler solves the problem by declaring war on the U.S.A.
8. S01E08The Desert: North Africa (1940–1943)December 19, 1973 7.3For 2 years the 8th Army and Rommel's Afrika Corps fight in the wastes of North Africa. Finally the tide turns at El Alamein.
9. S01E09Stalingrad (June 1942-February 1943)January 2, 1974 8.3Hitler's early successes in Russia made him reckless and he resolves to capture Stalingrad. The battle lasts six months with the Russians em
10. S01E10Wolfpack: U-Boats in the Atlantic (1939–1944)January 16, 1974 7.6In a war of high technology and animal courage, the German U-Boats fight Allied merchantmen, hounding them in packs.
11. S01E11Red Star: The Soviet Union (1941–1943)January 23, 1974 7.6For two years the Soviet Army fights the Germans almost alone. After one of the greatest land battles in history, the nation survives and tr
12. S01E12Whirlwind: Bombing Germany (September 1939–April 1944)January 30, 1974 7.8Bomber Command begin bombing German cities by night and the Americans reinforce the attacks by day; a whirlwind of terror and destruction th
13. S01E13Tough Old Gut: Italy (November 1942-June 1944)January 30, 1974 8.0Churchill called Italy the 'soft underbelly of the crocodile' and thought the Allies could cut through it to the heart of Germany. By the so
14. S01E14It's a Lovely Day Tomorrow: Burma (1942–1944)February 13, 1974 7.5Vera Lynn sang of a lovely day tomorrow, but the war in Burma was mud and monsoon. Britain's largest army learned to master the jungle and f
15. S01E15Home Fires: Britain (1940–1944)February 20, 1974 7.8Finding strength in unity at home in Britain during the war, it was a time of gas masks, Winston Churchill, Dig for Victory, evacuation, Geo
16. S01E16Inside the Reich: Germany (1940–1944)February 27, 1974 5.8Initial victory in Europe turns sour after the defeat at Stalingrad, yet Germany prepares to fight to the end - even after an assassination
17. S01E17Morning (June–August 1944)March 6, 1974 8.8The Western Allies resolve to invade Europe. England becomes a floating supply dump and the British and Americans assemble the largest invas
18. S01E18Occupation: Holland (1940–1944)March 13, 1974 7.8Through a neutral country, Holland is attacked by Germany without warning in 1940. During the next four years, life carries on seemingly wit
19. S01E19Pincers (August 1944–March 1945)March 20, 1974 8.2The end of the war appears close at hand with the liberation of Paris in 1944, but the British and Americans disagree on how to advance. Mea
20. S01E20Season's bestGenocide (1941–1945)March 27, 1974 9.5The Nazi's are racist; the Aryans are a master race, others, particularly the Jews are sub-human. Himmler's SS sets about ridding Europe of
21. S01E21Nemesis (February–May 1945)April 3, 1974 8.6Hitler retreats to the Fuhrer bunker is Berlin as Germany crumbles around him and his lieutenants abandon him to a fate of suicide. Meanwhil
22. S01E22Japan (1941–1945)April 10, 1974 8.0Initially apprehensive about the outcome of declaring war, the Japanese quickly turn to celebration with early victory. In the end, their wo
23. S01E23Pacific - The Island to Island War (February 1942–July 1945)April 17, 1974 8.0The Americans fight their way across the Pacific towards Japan and the Phillipines. Perhaps the bloodiest campaign of all, each island has t
24. S01E24The Atomic Bomb (February–September 1945)April 24, 1974 9.0Western scientists have developed a new, immensely powerful weapon - the atomic bomb. On August 6th 1945, the Enola Gay delivers the world's
25. S01E25Reckoning (April 1945)May 1, 1974 8.5The war ends slowly and messily. Britain is victorious but exhausted and the super-powers confront each other as they decide the fate of Eur
26. S01E26RememberMay 8, 1974 8.0For many the Second World War was the most significant experience of their lives. Heartbreaking first hand remembrances from a vast array of

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