World War 2
Documentaries and movies covering the events of the war and life at home
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Dambusters: Mission Impossible
Destroying the great dams of western Germany, using a very special weapon designed by scientific genius Barnes Wallis, made the RAF’s 617 squadron one of the most famous in the world. This film features rare archive footage and photographs, fascinating interviews and illustrative 3-D graphics. Fr...
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British Campaigns - Western Desert: 1940-1943
The war in the Western Desert began as a sideshow but steadily escalated into one of the most important campaigns of the Second World War, with essential oil supplies and the strategically vital Suez Canal at its heart. As the campaign grew in stature the names of the 8th Army, the Afrika Korps a...
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Britain at War – Episode 1 – The Phoney War, the Battle of Britain and the Blitz
This epic history of the Second World War utilises veteran interviews, graphics, newsreel films, and expert commentary to tell the story of the Second World War from the viewpoint of British soldiers, sailors, and airmen.
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Britain at War – Episode 2 – The Home Front, El Alamein, and Bombing Germany
This epic history of the Second World War utilises veteran interviews, graphics, newsreel films, and expert commentary to tell the story of the Second World War from the viewpoint of British soldiers, sailors, and airmen.
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Britain at War – Episode 3 – The Battle of the Atlantic, Burma, and Into Italy
This epic history of the Second World War utilises veteran interviews, graphics, newsreel films, and expert commentary to tell the story of the Second World War from the viewpoint of British soldiers, sailors, and airmen.
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Britain at War – Episode 4 – Arnhem and D-Day
This epic history of the Second World War utilises veteran interviews, graphics, newsreel films, and expert commentary to tell the story of the Second World War from the viewpoint of British soldiers, sailors, and airmen.
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Arnhem - A Bridge Too Far, the True Story
The Battle of Arnhem, one of the most dramatic battles of World War II, was as daring as it was ill-fated. It cost the Allies nearly twice as many casualties as D-Day.
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D-Day Heroes
The story of D-Day’s fiercest battles (Pegasus Bridge, the Merville battery, etc.) and the beach landings, featuring the pick of combat footage from the world’s archives and remarkable firsthand accounts by D-Day veterans.
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D-Day: The Secret Battle
The story of the subterfuge and secret weapons that helped make D-Day such a success, including Operation Fortitude, the PLUTO undersea pipeline and the floating Mulberry Harbours, plus rare film of secret weapons including the Sherman mine-clearing tank and Churchill A1:K46 flame-thrower. From B...
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Great Aircraft of the RAF - The Spitfire
Documentary detailing the legend of the Spitfire from its first entry into RAF service in August 1938. The documentary features original archive footage of the aircraft plus interviews with veteran and current Spitfire pilots. From British Pathé TV's Military Collection.
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Target for Today
The very best filmed record of an American 8th Air Force raid on Nazi Germany. Made with unprecedented access at every level, this unique 1944 film follows a complete day's raids from start to finish. From British Pathé TV's Military Collection.
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Gun Camera Action from War World Two
The very best uncensored gun camera footage from Allied and Axis sources, including Me109s, Fw190s, P-40 Warhawks and more. From British Pathé TV's Military Collection.
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The Nazi War Machine
As D-Day approached, specially-made films were shown to Allied troops to familiarise them with the enemy. Presented here by military expert Dr. Christopher Bullock, these original films – some in colour – provide a fascinating and invaluable guide to German uniforms, insignia, weapons, coastal fo...
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A Day That Shook the World – World War Two
Including: Hitler annexes Austria, Germany invades Poland, evacuation of Dunkirk, London Blitz begins on civilian targets, Pearl Harbor attacked, Battle of El Alamein begins, Fall of Stalingrad - German Army Surrenders, D-Day Landings, liberation of Paris, Big Three meet at Yalta to carve up post...
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A Year To Remember - 1939
In this episode: - WW2 seems inevitable and yet unreal- Spain: The civil war ends- Hitler parades in Prague amidst the jeers and tears of the beaten Czech nation- Hitler surprises the world by signing a non-aggression pact with Russia- The coronation of Pope Pius XII- New York's World Fair opens
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A Year To Remember - 1940
In this episode: - Finland: Stalin’s Red Army has been fighting a dogged opposition- The progress of the Germans pushes British forces back to the sea- A massive evacuation operation is mounted- Coventry is bombed- The King receives a decoration- First woman naval doctor
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A Year To Remember - 1941
In this episode: - The Germans widen their operations- Hitler orders the bombing of Dublin and other Irish towns- Mussolini’s army suffers a string of setbacks- Roosevelt secures a record 3rd term as president and introduces the lend-lease scheme- Hitler throws Panzer divisions against Russia- Pe...
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A Year To Remember - 1942
In this episode: - USA joining the allied forces marks a turning point in the war- A significant victory prompts Churchill to make one of his most famous speeches- The Battle of the Coral Sea- Hitler’s troops fight the vicious Battle of Stalingrad- The Germans formulate their plans to rid Europe ...
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A Year To Remember - 1943
In this episode: - The year in which the allies made steady progress against the Nazis- In Russia, the bloody siege of Stalingrad comes to an end with the surrender of German forces- In Northern Africa the forces unleashed by the Allies sees success- The Allies take 110,000 prisoners of war - Reg...
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A Year To Remember - 1944
In this episode: - 1944 saw the moves that undermined any chance of Nazi success- The Normandy landings – the world’s biggest combined land, sea and air operation- The Allies take complete control of Normandy- Paris is liberated after courageous work by the French underground resistance- Those ar...
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A Year To Remember - 1945
In this episode: - 1945 would end in peace and the dawning of a new era in world history- Hitler shoots himself at news of the Russian advance on Berlin- American and Russian troops shake hands across the ruins of Germany and the war is over- FDR tragically dies within sight of victory and Harry ...
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Hiroshima - Date With History
Documentary covering the decisions surrounding the dropping of the first Atomic bomb on Hiroshima. From British Pathé TV's Military Collection.
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Your Job in Great Britain
See the Britain of yesteryear through American eyes in this unique and amusing collection of rare films made to help American servicemen understand Britain and the British. From British Pathé TV's Military Collection.
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Variety Acts and Turns of the Second World War
A programme full of performances by the morale-boosting variety acts and singers of the Second World War. Artists who helped frontline troops and home front civilians alike to keep smiling through the dark days of war. Including Flanagan & Allen, Gracie Fields, Robb Wilton, Sydney Burchall, Tommy...