Britain at War

The D-Day Story
June 6th 1944, D-Day, codenamed "Operation Overlord" was the culmination of nearly two years of planning. It was the largest invasion force ever assembled. Over 6,800 ships, landing craft and other vessels were used to get over 130,000 men ashore onto the Normandy beaches. This incredible programme shows it all.

The Battle Of Britain
The battle fought over Britain between the 10th July and 31st October 1940 was the most important RAF battle of the entire war. Using Pathe archive material as well as rarely seen colour footage of London’s Blitz, this programme tells the blow-byblow story of the desperately close-run conflict that was the death or glory battle fought in the skies over Britain.

British Battles of World War II
Although British forces went into action at the very outset of the Second World War in 1939, it was not until 1940 that the land war began. But this was the beginning of a period of constant defeat. First, Norway, then the Low Countries and finally France. Fortunately it was all to change as this informative and entertaining programme documents.

The Long Years 1942-1944
As the war entered the third year, a period of retrenchment began as Britain settled down for a long, hard slog. The cinema played a vital role in not only recruiting woman in some kind of war work but also in encouraging the British people to do their bit for the wareffort. This programme illustrates the Home Front efforts as seen through the cinemas at the time.

The Victory Years 1944-1945
As the Allies prepared for the invasion of France, on the home front there was an invasion of a very different kind. The G.I.s had arrived, sweeping many a young girl off her feet. Then came DDay followed by Hitler’s final terror weapon, the Doodlebug. But, Britain could take it and victory in Europe was followed by victory in Japan.

The Blitz Years 1939-1941
At the end of 1939, Britain was plunged into the most brutal war ever fought. British Pathé News has interwoven the memories of the young men and women left behind in Britain with the newsreel of the day to create ‘The Blitz Years’, a lasting tribute to the spirit of the Home Front.