Secrets of World War II - Season 1

← Back to All Seasons of Secrets of World War II
The Corpse That Fooled the Axis

1 - The Corpse That Fooled the Axis

Air Date: January 1, 1998

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.

Adolf Hitler's Last Days

2 - Adolf Hitler's Last Days

Air Date: January 8, 1998

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.

Secret Mission to North Africa

3 - Secret Mission to North Africa

Air Date: January 15, 1998

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.

When Hitler Invaded America

4 - When Hitler Invaded America

Air Date: January 22, 1998

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!

The Bruneval Raid

5 - The Bruneval Raid

Air Date: January 29, 1998

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.

What Really Happened to Rommel

6 - What Really Happened to Rommel

Air Date: February 5, 1998

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?

The Enigma Secret

7 - The Enigma Secret

Air Date: February 12, 1998

Know what this is about?

Human Torpedoes

8 - Human Torpedoes

Air Date: February 19, 1998

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.

The Secrets of the Battle of the Bulge

9 - The Secrets of the Battle of the Bulge

Air Date: February 26, 1998

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.

Okinawa: The Greatest Sea/Air Battle in History

10 - Okinawa: The Greatest Sea/Air Battle in History

Air Date: March 5, 1998

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.

Above Us: The Enemy - Secrets of the Submarine War

11 - Above Us: The Enemy - Secrets of the Submarine War

Air Date: March 12, 1998

The underwater war saw many innovations and a rapid increase in electronic technology, which eventually enabled the Allies to achieve ultimate victory.

The Secrets Behind the Battle of Guadalcanal

12 - The Secrets Behind the Battle of Guadalcanal

Air Date: March 19, 1998

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.

The Real Heroes of Telemark

13 - The Real Heroes of Telemark

Air Date: March 26, 1998

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.

They Flew for China

14 - They Flew for China

Air Date: April 2, 1998

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.

How Germany Was Bombed to Defeat

15 - How Germany Was Bombed to Defeat

Air Date: April 9, 1998

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.

The End of the Scharnhorst

16 - The End of the Scharnhorst

Air Date: April 16, 1998

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.

The RAF Versus the V Weapons

17 - The RAF Versus the V Weapons

Air Date: April 23, 1998

Japan's Last Secret Weapon

18 - Japan's Last Secret Weapon

Air Date: April 30, 1998

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.

The Minehunters

19 - The Minehunters

Air Date: May 7, 1998

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.

The Nazi Plundering of Europe

20 - The Nazi Plundering of Europe

Air Date: May 14, 1998

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.

Confusion Was Their Business

21 - Confusion Was Their Business

Air Date: May 21, 1998

The exciting story of the emergence of special forces such as the British SAS and the US Rangers.

Merrill's Marauders

22 - Merrill's Marauders

Air Date: May 28, 1998

America's answer to fighting behind Japanese lines in the jungle was to deploy a highly trained unit called Merrill's Marauders.

The Amazing Colonel Doolittle

23 - The Amazing Colonel Doolittle

Air Date: June 4, 1998

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.

Destroying Hitler's Oil Fields

24 - Destroying Hitler's Oil Fields

Air Date: June 11, 1998

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.

Home Run from Colditz

25 - Home Run from Colditz

Air Date: June 18, 1998

The Germans said it was impregnable but the confines of Colditz were to inspire some of the most legendary escapes of all time.

The Cruise of the Secret Raiders

26 - The Cruise of the Secret Raiders

Air Date: June 25, 1998

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.