Battlefield
Major battles of World War II are recounted in depth.
Genre: Documentary, History, War
Cast:Tim Pigott-Smith , Jonathan Booth , Jonathan Booth
S4.E1 ∙ The Battle of Kursk
In the summer of 1943 more than 2,000,000 men of the German and Russian Armies and over 6,000 tanks were gathered together near the Russian town of Kursk. The scene was set for one of the war s most crucial engagements the outcome of which would have a vital bearing on the outcome of the conflict. This is a brand new episode from the landmark television series Battlefield . Featuring fascinating archive footage from all over the world the programme includes a review of the political and military situation before the battle, portraits of leaders and commanders, an explanation of weapons and tactics and the story of the battle itself. Vivid graphics place the battle into the context of the war as a whole.
S4.E3 ∙ Manchuria: The Forgotten Victory
The Soviet invasion of Japanese-held Manchuria in World War 2.
S4.E4 ∙ Pearl Harbor
A look at the events leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor and the fall of Singapore detailing the reasons, the national leaders and commanders involved, and the equipment used by both sides.
S4.E5 ∙ Guadalcanal
Japanese and Allied leaders recognize the strategic importance of an airbase on Guadalcanal but neither side is well prepared for battle. Their obsolete combat tactics and armor lead to the defeat of Japanese forces as Allied forces outgrow their lack of training and overcome their organizational weakness. With Guadalcanal in Allied hands the Japanese unsuccessfully adopt a defensive strategy to maintain their empire. The Allies complete a two pronged attack with MacArthur leading the Army to capture the larger land masses in the southern Pacific while Nimitz engages the dwindling Japanese Navy with the growing American navy to the north.
