Secret War, The (3 Parts)

Synopsis

Six-part television series on three videocassettes looking at World War 2 from the viewpoint of a war between the scientists and technology of the two sides. Narrated by William Woolard.
1: 1) The Battle of the Beams: the mysterious radio signals used by the Germans to direct their bombers to English targets and how this threat was overcome; 2) To See for a Hundred Miles: the development of wartime radar from both the British and German perspectives, in the struggle to keep ahead in the technological war.
2: 1) Terror Weapons: the development of the German ‘V’ flying bomb, which terrorised the British, and the race against time by the British to uncover German secrets; 2) If...: the Axis ‘super weapons’ that might have been, such as the Giant Panjandrum, the Gigant glider, the rocket-powered Komet. Includes an interview with Hanna Reitsch.
3: 1) The Deadly Waves: magnetic mines and mine laying during World War 2) Still Secret: How British Secret Intelligence penetrated the German Enigma codes; 3) The Battle of the Atlantic: the fight for maritime supremacy from the viewpoint of the Allied and Axis powers. Features interviews with ex-U-Boat captains.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Video; Videocassette. sd. b&w/col. 101, 100, 150 min.

Year of production

1977

Availability

out of distribution

Notes

Broadcast on BBC Television from 5/1/77.
Originally broadcast as 7 separate programmes in a series from 5/1/77 on BBC, narrated by William Woollard. Volume 1 consists of programmes 1 and 2, Volume 2 consists of programmes 3 and 4, and Volume 3 programmes 5, 6 and 7.

Subjects

History

Keywords

bombs; ciphers; military weaponry; radar; radio waves; World War II

Credits

Director

Brian Johnson

Contributor

Hanna Reitsch; William Woollard

Production Company

Name

BBC Television

Distributor

Name

BBC Home Video

 

Available from retail outlets

Name

Simply Media

Contact

Laura Smith

Email

info@simplymedia.tv

Web

http://www.simplymedia.tv/ External site opens in new window

Phone

0203 542 3722

Address

Highlight House
57 Margaret Street
London W1W 8SJ

Notes

Formerly known as DD Home Entertainment or DDHE