The Secret War (1977)
Synopsis
The Secret War was a six–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. The programme opening music was an excerpt from Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition. The closing music was by the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. The 'seventh' episode often included with video versions of the series was not part of the original series but produced separately.
First Air Date: 1977-01-05
Last Air Date: 1977-02-16
Number of Seasons: 1
Number of Episodes: 7
Created By: William Woollard
Seasons
Season 1 (1977)
The "Secret War" lifts the veil of secrecy on the crucial role science and intelligence played behind the lines in winning World War 2. Presented by William Woollard and largely based on the book "Most Secret War" by R V Jones. Superbly presented by William Woollard, this fascinating documentary series is unusual and particularly good because of many interviews with the people involved with the development and countering of these secret weapons, including R V Jones.
Episodes:
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Ep. 1: The Battle of the Beams
The fight by British intelligence to counter Nazi Germany's secret radio navigation systems for their bombers.
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Ep. 2: To See for a Hundred Miles
The development of radar and its role in World War II air warfare.
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Ep. 3: Terror Weapons
The development and use of Nazi Germany's V-1 and V-2 missile programs.
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Ep. 4: If ...
An examination of various innovative secret prototype weapon and vehicle designs of World War II, and their military potential.
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Ep. 5: The Deadly Waves
The account of how the British scientific effort to discover and counter a dangerously effective new kind of Nazi Germany magnetic naval mine.
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Ep. 6: Still Secret
Discussed are the efforts to break the Enigma Code and the role played by the Colossus computer, designed by T.H. Flowers. In 1977 the Colossus was still on the secret list, so details are fairly sparse, but the programme benefits enormously from an interview with Tommy Flowers. There are also valuable contributions from others present at Bletchley Park during WW2 such as Gordon Welchman, Harry Golombek and Peter Calvocoressi.
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Ep. 7: The Battle of the Atlantic
The technical and tactical innovations that developed in the vital naval battle of the Eastern Theatre of World War II. This was an extra on the VHS release of this series.
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