The War File Carrier Warfare

This DVD contains a documentary about the First World War. The documentary covers the entire war, including some background as to the state of Europe prior to 1914, the start and course of the war, the Russian Revolution and the aftermath. It comprises entirely black and white archival footage from the era, plus some animated maps used to illustrate the Schlieffen Plan.

Four years to plan, two years of organising and only one day of execution, D-Day was the turning point of WW2, the largest movement of troops and vessels (over 5,000) and had it failed the map of Europe would be very different now. Using original footage this programme looks at that day in June 1944.

This documentary features rare archival footage, stunning 3-D graphics, and modern film of some of the last surviving World War II submarines.

A ferocious battle fought between the Japanese and United States Carrier Fleets, which proved to be one of the most decisive victories and a major turning point for America in the war in the Pacific. The Japanese lost four of their powerful carriers and from that point on, no longer able to risk a major fleet versus fleet action, went on the defensive. By the time they had recovered enough to rebuild their fleet, American power had mobilized into the unstoppable force that Japan had so feared.

Nazi tank technology takes center stage in this volume of "The War File." The key weapon in the German arsenal during World War II, the Panzer tank spawned a stronger, if less mobile, version called the Tiger, which proved invaluable in North Africa. Actual footage of the Tiger in use by Erwin Rommel's Afrika Korps, interviews with veterans and an inside look at one of the few remaining specimens paint a portrait of this remarkable weapon.

The aircraft carrier played a crucial role in America's naval offensive in the PAcific theater. The Carrier's ability to project local air power virtually anywhere was a critical factor in insuring air superiority during the amphibious operations. From the Battle of the Coral Seas to Midway, from Leyte Gulf to Okinawa, the carriers proved time and again the enomrous firepower they could bring to bear.

Return to 1943 with this volume of the "Battlefield" series that deals with the conflicts in the Balkans. Vintage combat footage is paired with historical insight into the battles' context and the military and political leaders involved. The program covers events from August 1943 through the end of World War II, as the Romanian shift from Axis to Allied allegiance created a domino effect throughout southeastern Europe.

This program examines the crucial role tanks played during the Allied invasion of Normandy in June, 1944, and beyond, with a special look at the heavy British Churchill AVRE and the amphibious Sherman Duplex Drive tanks. Informative computer graphics, expert analysis, archival footage and more also shed light on the role of "Hobart's Funnies" assault vehicles, the advantages of Allied and German armor, and more.

Combing computer-generated graphics, archival footage and authoritative commentary, this program examines the Battle of Kursk, the largest tank battle of World War II, in which the Soviet Red Army defeated a concentrated Nazi blitzkrieg attack. Topics covered include a look at the brilliant Russian defense strategy, the pitched battle at Prokhorovka, a close examination of the tanks involved in the conflict and more.

The documentary release The War File: Great German Battleships of World War II culls from material including vintage archival footage, interviews with former Nazi officers, and file photographs to provide a detailed exploration of the British Royal Navy's pursuit of several German maritime vessels during the Second World War. Each chapter is devoted to one subject; topics include the Dreadnoughts, the Scharnhorst, the Bismarck, Channel Dash and Tirpitz.

Originally ordered as an armoured infantry support vehicle, the Assault Gun or 'Sturmgeschutz' (Stug) was increasingly employed from 1942 onwards as a tank destroyer. It was responsible for the destruction of around 20,000 allied tanks. This is the story of Stug III and IV.

This documentary explores the desperate, months-long battle in the skies above England when a handful of Royal Air Force pilots held off the daily raids of a German Luftwaffe determined to crush British defenses and morale. Featuring rare archival footage and authoritative commentary, this program tells the story of RAF Fighter Command, whose heroism and sacrifice caused Adolph Hitler to cancel his planned amphibious invasion of Britain.