Secrets of World War II
1998•8.0/10
DocumentaryWar & Politics
Ratings
🎬TMDb
8.0/10(2)
Rarely has a war produced such clear cut reasons to fight as World War II. Suddenly, ordinary men and women found themselves thrown into fearsome, situations worthy of any Hollywood movie. The only difference in this series is that every story is true. Real people emerge as the Heroes of Telemark. Ordinary GIs and US Airforce and Navy personnel suddenly find themselves flying against the Japanese in China, jungle fighting in Burma and being dropped by submarine on enemy coasts at midnight. These untold stories can now be examined in great detail with the benefit of hindsight, newly-discovered film, maps and graphics. Each fifty-two minute story covers the background to the main action. It will give the viewer a clear view of the historical context, the strategic objective and the tactical effort made by flyers, sailors and foot-soldiers - often in the most oppressive and life-threatening situations - to win victory from the enemy.
Language
EN
Status
Returning Series
First Aired
January 1, 1998
Last Aired
December 24, 2004
Where to Watch
Region US · Lang EN
US
No providers available for this region.
Seasons & Episodes
Select a season to view episodes. Reddit links may contain spoilers.
Season
E1
The Corpse That Fooled the Axis
Air date: 1998-01-01
Little did the Germans know that the body they discovered on the coast of Spain in 1943 was part of one of the most elaborate hoaxes of World War II.
E2
Adolf Hitler's Last Days
Air date: 1998-01-08
With access to Eva Braun's personal photograph album, this programme reconstructs the final days in the Dictator's underground lair, and in particular it examines the possibility of escape for the selected few.
E3
Secret Mission to North Africa
Air date: 1998-01-15
After numerous adventures, a small number of American officers managed to rendezvous with their submarine on the North Africa coast in 1942 and relay back to Eisenhower information which would save thousands of British and American lives.
E4
When Hitler Invaded America
Air date: 1998-01-22
In June 1942 two German U-Boats landed secret agents on Long Island and at Jacksonville, Florida. Their aim was sabotage, but their methods left a lot to be desired!
E5
The Bruneval Raid
Air date: 1998-01-29
In June 1942 two German U-Boats landed secret agents on Long Island and at Jacksonville, Florida. Their aim was sabotage, but their methods left a lot to be desired.
E6
What Really Happened to Rommel
Air date: 1998-02-05
He was nicknamed the 'Desert Fox' and highly decorated by Hitler. However, Rommel was not in sympathy with the Nazi party and may have been involved in the plot to kill Hitler. Did the legendary German General commit suicide or was he murdered?
E7
The Enigma Secret
Air date: 1998-02-12
Know what this is about?
E8
Human Torpedoes
Air date: 1998-02-19
In 1941 four Italian frogmen used their two-man underwater 'chariots' to place explosive charges on two British battleships in Alexandria Harbour. They were the first of many brave men to use these unconventional weapons.
E9
The Secrets of the Battle of the Bulge
Air date: 1998-02-26
In 1944 as Hitler faced defeat he tried one last gamble of an offensive on the Western Front. The result was the 'Battle of the Bulge'. But what the Germans did not know was the Allies were decoding their radio messages.
E10
Okinawa: The Greatest Sea/Air Battle in History
Air date: 1998-03-05
There have been larger land battles and more protracted air campaigns than Okinawa but this was a combined operation, unparalleled in size, scope and ferocity.
E11
Above Us: The Enemy - Secrets of the Submarine War
Air date: 1998-03-12
The underwater war saw many innovations and a rapid increase in electronic technology, which eventually enabled the Allies to achieve ultimate victory.
E12
The Secrets Behind the Battle of Guadalcanal
Air date: 1998-03-19
Hundreds of sailors, eight ships and two American Admirals were to be lost in actions where valour overcame many mistakes on both sides - leading to the defeat of the Japanese Admiral Yamamoto.
E13
The Real Heroes of Telemark
Air date: 1998-03-26
In 1943 as the Germans were producing 'heavy water' to build their atomic bomb, the Norwegian resistance launched a daring raid against the Norsk Hydro plant.
E14
They Flew for China
Air date: 1998-04-02
Between 1941 and 1943 some of America's most talented fighter pilots flew for Nationalist China against the Japanese. They became known as the 'Flying Tigers' and with the name a legend was born.
E15
How Germany Was Bombed to Defeat
Air date: 1998-04-09
One thousand bomber raids flown by the US airforce by day and the same by Britain's RAF by night. The result was a firestorm which destroyed German cities, industry and communications; raids which involved much personal bravery and the use of secret technology.
E16
The End of the Scharnhorst
Air date: 1998-04-16
She was faster than any British battleship, but in what was to become known as 'The Battle of the North Cape', the Scharnhorst was about to meet her destiny at the hands of Admiral Fraser in one of the most exciting naval engagements ever.
E17
The RAF Versus the V Weapons
Air date: 1998-04-23
E18
Japan's Last Secret Weapon
Air date: 1998-04-30
Had it not been winter, North America's vast western forests, farms and cities might have been decimated by a secret weapon sent in thousands across the Pacific by the Japanese in 1944.
E19
The Minehunters
Air date: 1998-05-07
One of the most feared weapons of World War II was the mine. Some were laid by ship and submarine, others by aircraft. Of all of these the most lethal was the magnetic mine, and the race to counter it was one of the most crucial of the war.
E20
The Nazi Plundering of Europe
Air date: 1998-05-14
Throughout occupied Europe the Nazis systematically plundered the continent's museums, galleries, and private collections. At the war's end, a massive effort was mounted by the Allies to locate the missing art treasures and return them to their rightful owners. But even today many great objects are still unlocated.
E21
Confusion Was Their Business
Air date: 1998-05-21
The exciting story of the emergence of special forces such as the British SAS and the US Rangers.
E22
Merrill's Marauders
Air date: 1998-05-28
America's answer to fighting behind Japanese lines in the jungle was to deploy a highly trained unit called Merrill's Marauders.
E23
The Amazing Colonel Doolittle
Air date: 1998-06-04
The citizens of Japan could not believe their eyes when the Americans dared to fly an audacious bombing mission against Tokyo only a few months after Pearl Harbor.
E24
Destroying Hitler's Oil Fields
Air date: 1998-06-11
Amazing new footage has become available which shows the raid by the US Air Force against the Ploesti oil fields in Rumania which supplied 60 percent of Hitler's oil in 1943.
E25
Home Run from Colditz
Air date: 1998-06-18
The Germans said it was impregnable but the confines of Colditz were to inspire some of the most legendary escapes of all time.
E26
The Cruise of the Secret Raiders
Air date: 1998-06-25
The fascinating story of the secret heavily-armed cargo ships deployed by the Germans which were in reality designed to sink Allied merchant ships as well as refuel German U-boats and warships.
Cast
Robert Powell
Self - Narrator
Swaylee Loughnane
Pilot
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