Combat Ships

A documentary series on combat ships through the ages, from the 16th century to the present day.

Cast:Joseph Balderrama , Kieran O'Brien , Craig Symonds , Andrew Gordon , Eric Grove , Nick Hewitt , Andrew Lambert , John V. Quarstein , Bob Mealings , Stuart Prebble , Donald Shannon , Andy Smith , Emily Turton , Chris Wilson , Simon Darwen , Gary Sterne , Julian Gamm , Garth Wright

1Season 1

S1.E1 ∙ Warships of the World Wars

Tue, Jun 20, 2017

The crucial role ships have played in international conflict over the past 500 years, beginning with the battleship's declining influence during the 20th century.

2Season 1

S1.E2 ∙ Submarines War Beneath the Waves

Tue, Jun 27, 2017

The story of the submarine and their role in naval warfare, from early beginnings in the American War of Independence to the modern day.

3Season 1

S1.E3 ∙ The Vessels That Saved D-Day

Thu, Aug 31, 2017

A chronological appraisal of the dramatic D-Day story, focusing on the vessels that made the landings on the beaches of Normandy possible.

4Season 1

S1.E4 ∙ The First Metal Warships

Tue, Jul 11, 2017

The crucial role ships have played in international conflict over the past 500 years. This program looks at early metal warships, and examines HMS Rattler's screw propeller in 1845 would lead to the revolutionary HMS Dreadnought in the 20th century.

5Season 1

S1.E5 ∙ Torpedo Boats at War

Tue, Jul 18, 2017

A look at the silent threat of submarines, from tests in the River Thames, to the German's deadly U-boat attacks in the Second World War.

6Season 1

S1.E6 ∙ Cold War Warriors

Tue, Jul 25, 2017

The role of ships during the Cold War, featuring a look at two submarines - former enemies - now moored in a Kent river. Plus, the story of Soviet submariner Vasili Arkhipov, who refused to authorize a nuclear launch.

7Season 1

S1.E7 ∙ Rescue Ships

Tue, Aug 1, 2017

Stories of hospital ships and those who served on them, including the tragic story of the sinking of the Titanic's sister vessel, The Britannic.

8Season 1

S1.E8 ∙ The Smallest Ships of War

Tue, Aug 8, 2017

The smallest ships of war, such as the tiny canoes of the Cockleshell Heroes who led an audacious attack on German ships, and the boats that rescued soldiers from Dunkirk.

9Season 1

S1.E9 ∙ Mighty Wooden Warships

Tue, Aug 15, 2017

An examination of objects found on the Mary Rose and what they reveal about life on a Tudor ship. Plus, the battle-winning tactics of Admiral Nelson on HMS Victory.

10Season 1

S1.E10 ∙ Secrets and Lies

Tue, Aug 22, 2017

A look at the tactics employed to pass strategically important ships under the nose of the enemy, and the use of intelligence to carry out naval attacks.

1Season 2

S2.E1 ∙ Viking Longships

Mon, May 18, 2020

This is the story of one of the world's most effective war machines: The Viking longship. They were elegant, versatile and feared. Longships carried terrifying warriors.

2Season 2

S2.E2 ∙ Stealth

Mon, May 25, 2020

From the secret missions that helped win World War 2 to new technology that offers new ways to hide. Stealth ships stay out of sight in a world where eyes are everywhere

3Season 2

S2.E3 ∙ Doomed Vessels

Mon, Jun 1, 2020

Doomed Vessels explores the human errors that condemned great ships to a tragic end, including the Vasa, a 17th century combat ship that sank on her maiden voyage

4Season 2

S2.E4 ∙ Destroyers & cruisers

2020

Destroyers and cruisers are the quintessential combat ships, each featuring speed and firepower while carrying out unique roles within a navy. We highlight the similarities and differences of these two warships and share stories of some of the most influential vessels and battles, from the lone-wolf cruiser, HMS Gannet, which became a powerful symbol of the Victorian anti-slavery campaign to the legendary USS Laffey, the World War II destroyer that stared down the largest kamikaze attack in history.

5Season 2

S2.E5 ∙ Secrets of the sea

2020

From the capture of U-505 to the sinking of the Lusitania; from the war games of Gilbert Roberts that man behind the fabled 'Operation Raspberry," which nullified the threat of German U-boats, to the highly cinematic deception at the heart of the Pentagon's capture of a sunken Soviet nuclear sub. Covert missions and secret strategies have been at the heart of naval engagement since the very beginning, often helping pick the winners. Join us on a revealing and highly classified look.

6Season 2

S2.E6 ∙ Galleons & privateers

2020

In the 16th century, the Spanish Armada were the reigning maritime superpower, with mighty galleons at their disposal. The English, on the other hand, were the upstarts, opportunistic pirates with inferior ships. Led by buccaneering figures such as Francis Drake and John Hawkins, English ships technology began to catch up, leading to the revolutionary "race-built galleons." In 1588, both sides would meet in battle for the right to be declared rulers of the waves.

7Season 2

S2.E7 ∙ The battle of lete gulf

2020

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8Season 2

S2.E8 ∙ Amphibious assaults

2020

Amphibious vessels: specialized landing craft built to go where no other combat ship can reach and able to deliver tanks, jeeps, soldiers, and supplies to the front lines. We detail some of the greatest ships in the history of amphibious warfare, from the LCT, which dropped the huge Allied fighting force onto the beaches of Normandy in 1944, to the Swift boats that patrolled Vietnam's shores. We also chart the evolution of combat hovercraft, and how the PACVs of the '60s grew to become a mainstay for the U.S. Navy's Assault Craft Units.

1Season 4

S4.E1 ∙ Courageous Captains

Fri, Mar 24, 2023

Four heroic stories from across naval history of courageous captains going beyond the call of duty to achieve remarkable things.

2Season 4

S4.E2 ∙ Explosion!

Fri, Mar 31, 2023

We feature the most spectacular maritime explosions ever. They include the sinking of a British Battleship, the demolition of a Nazi mega structure, the mining of an LST in Vietnam and the power of an atomic blast on a battleship fleet.

5Season 4

S4.E5 ∙ Mutiny

Sun, Apr 23, 2023

A look at how technological advances over the centuries have led to bigger and faster combat ships and transformed maritime warfare.

Combat Ships

S1.E1 ∙ Warships of the World Wars

S1.E2 ∙ Submarines War Beneath the Waves

S1.E3 ∙ The Vessels That Saved D-Day

S1.E4 ∙ The First Metal Warships

S1.E5 ∙ Torpedo Boats at War

S1.E6 ∙ Cold War Warriors

S1.E7 ∙ Rescue Ships

S1.E8 ∙ The Smallest Ships of War

S1.E9 ∙ Mighty Wooden Warships

S1.E10 ∙ Secrets and Lies

S2.E1 ∙ Viking Longships

S2.E2 ∙ Stealth

S2.E3 ∙ Doomed Vessels

S2.E4 ∙ Destroyers & cruisers

S2.E5 ∙ Secrets of the sea

S2.E6 ∙ Galleons & privateers

S2.E7 ∙ The battle of lete gulf

S2.E8 ∙ Amphibious assaults

S3.E1 ∙ Game Changers

S3.E2 ∙ The Battle of Trafalgar

S3.E3 ∙ The Battle of Incheon

S3.E4 ∙ Gulf War Warriors

S3.E5 ∙ Sunk

S3.E6 ∙ Top Guns

S3.E7 ∙ Fast and Furious

S3.E8 ∙ River Raiders

S4.E1 ∙ Courageous Captains

S4.E2 ∙ Explosion!

S4.E5 ∙ Mutiny