History of War

From the conquering legions of Ancient Rome to the thunderous tank battles of World War II and beyond, History of War takes you deeper inside the minds of history’s fighting men, further under the bonnets of some of the world’s most devastating war machines, and higher above the battlefield to see the broad sweep of conflict as it happened.

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WE’LL MEET AGAIN • 6 June 1984

ASHORE ONCE MORE • 5 June 1984

IKE RETURNS TO NORMANDY • 1964

TIMELINE OF THE COUNTDOWN TO D-DAY • Years of debate, meticulous planning and technological development preceded the largest amphibious invasion in history

D-DAY LANDING CRAFT • Over 4,000 Allied landing craft took part in the Normandy Landings with a huge range of designs created for specific roles and capabilities

THE OTHER OPERATION OVERLORD D-DAY’S GHOST ARMY • Historian Taylor Downing discusses the cunning use of intrigue and deception during Operation Fortitude

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FROM THE ARCHIVES INTERVIEW WITH DAVID TEACHER MBE THE FIRST ON JUNO BEACH • As a member of the RAF Beach Squadrons, Teacher’s job was to help unload and dispatch personnel and equipment

Great Battles SWORD BEACH • The easternmost sector of the 6 June Normandy Landings was a mostly British affair, and saw some of the biggest territorial gains of the first day of the Allied invasion

THE RECCE RIDER OF RANVILLE • After landing behind enemy lines in Normandy, William ‘Bill’ Gladden conducted treacherous reconnaissance on his motorcycle

6TH AIRBORNE DIVISION AND OPERATION MALLARD • On the eve of 6 June, the British carried out an audacious mission to drop in heavy equipment, and even tanks, in support of the Battle of Normandy

FROM THE ARCHIVES INTERVIEW WITH CLAUDE SEALEY MINESWEEPER OFF NORMANDY • After helping clear the path to France, Royal Navy veteran Claude Sealey and his crewmates experienced a deadly encounter with their own countrymen

UNDERGROUND WREN • Deep in the bowels of Fort Southwick, radio operator Marie Scott was one of the first to hear reports as Operation Overlord got underway, passing critical communications between the men on the beaches and high command

WRENS AT FORT SOUTHWICK

INTERVIEW WITH RON PEET STORMING GOLD BEACH • War veteran Ron Peet helped assault Gold Beach on D-Day. Here he shares his experiences

KLEINKAMPFVERBÄNDE GERMANY’S COUNTER-ATTACKS • As Allied forces crossed the Channel and stormed into Normandy, Hitler’s navy fought back using a deadly new breed of maritime weaponry

Heroes of the Medal of Honor JIMMIE MONTEITH • In the crucible of battle at Omaha Beach on D-Day, this officer of the famed 1st Infantry Division earned his nation’s highest honour – at the cost of his life

FROM THE ARCHIVES INTERVIEW WITH ALEC BORRIE BEHIND ENEMY LINES • Spearheading the invasion of occupied France in 1944 were a small number of Special Forces soldiers dropped deep into enemy territory. Among them was a young Londoner, fresh from training – here he reveals how he survived guerrilla warfare in France and beyond as part of the fledgling Special Air Service

THE TAXI CHARITY • Alec Borrie was a beneficiary of an award-winning charity that provides free transportation and events for military veterans

WHAT IF… D-DAY HAD FAILED? • The consequences of an unsuccessful invasion would have been felt for decades to come

HOW WOULD IT BE DIFFERENT?

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Q&A ROBERT KERSHAW • The former paratrooper, now a best-selling historian, discusses his latest book, which hones in on one critical position during the Battle of Crete, 1941

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