The Secret War (TV series): Difference between revisions

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The Secret War was a seven–part television series produced by the BBC in conjunction with the Imperial War Museum documenting various technical developments during the Second World War. It was aired during 1977 and presented by William Woollard.

This episode documented how British Intelligence became aware of various German Luftwaffe Navigation Beams, such as Knickebein, X Gerat and Y Gerat, and the countermeasures developed to combat them, in what became known as the Battle of the Beams. It is largely based on the book Most Secret War written by RV Jones who features heavily in the series. This programme contains rare footage of The Blitz including the bombing of Coventry.

Covers the development of Radar from it's first discovery to the creation of the Chain Home system intime for the Battle of Britain, and the subsequent development of the Cavity magnetron.

The programme goes on to explain how British Intelligence learnt of German Radar developments, including Freya, Wurzburg radar systems, and the British raid at Bruneval to capture a Wurzburg system.

This episode also contains details of the RAF's Bomber offensive electronic warfare with the German Luftwaffe, using devices such as Window, Gee, Oboe, H2S and Airborne Interception Radar.

It features interviews and demonstrations with amongst others RV Jones, Arnold Wilkins, John Randall and Harry Boot.

This programme uncovers the development of Adolf Hilter's Vengence weapons and how Britsh Authorities became aware of the menace, and what actions were taken to prevent and delay their use. It features rare footage of the V1, the V2 and the bombing of Peenemunde, along with interviews featuring RV Jones, Duncan Sandys, Albert Speer, Constance Babington Smith, Roland Beamont, Janusz Groszkowski and Raymond Baxter.

This episode showcases certain inventions which either never became operational, or their deployment was significantly delayed, therefore leaving one only to imagine what could of happened 'if' certain developments had become into widespread use.

It features many inventions such as the Messerschmitt Me 321 and Messerschmitt Me 323, various contraptions intended to help the Invasion of Normandy including the Panjandrum and PLUTO, the Bachstelze autogyro, early helicopters, British and German Bouncing bomb developments, the Henschel Hs 293, the Messerschmitt Me 163 and Jet aircraft developments such as the Gloster E.28/39, Messerschmitt Me 262 and Gloster Meteor.

Interviewees include Hanna Reitsch, Adolf Galland, Frank Whittle, Stanley Hooker and Albert Speer.

In indepth look into the magnetic mine and the countermeasures developed to overcome it, including Degaussing.

Covers the story of the Enigma Code and the Lorenz cipher and how they were broken at Bletchley Park, including some information on the Colossus computer which was still classified at the this programme was made. It explains how the codes were broken and how the information was used.

Features interviews with Gordon Welchman, Harry Golombek, Peter Calvocoressi, F. W. Winterbotham, Max Newman, Jack Good and Tommy Flowers.

A detailed look into history, the technical developments and tactics used by both Allied and Axis sides during this long and difficult campaign, featuring such innovations as Asdic, Type 271 radar, Wolfpacks, Cam Fighters, Hedgehog, US Blimps, ASV radar, the Leigh light, Metox, Naval H2S radar, Schnorkels and Escort carriers.

Contributions from Donald Macintyre, Patrick Beesly, Carl Emmermann, Humphrey de Verd Leigh, Hans Meckel and Bernard Lovell.

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