About this season
Interesting fifteen episode miniseries broadcast weekly by BBC in 1954-1955. It covers different aspects of the air war during World War II. It also briefly contextualises the development of aircraft immediately before and after the war.
Episodes (15)
1. The Fated Sky
Aired 13 November 1954 • 30 min
Looks at aircraft development before and leading up to the Second World War
2. Battle for Britain
Aired 20 November 1954 • 30 min
This covers the defence of Britain from the summer of 1940 to the spring of 1941.
3. Fifty North
Aired 27 November 1954 • 30 min
Coverage of the Atlantic air defence during the early months of the Second World War.
4. Maximum Effort
Aired 4 December 1954 • 30 min
Concentrates on the early British air raids on Germany and the German invasion of the Balkans, Greece and Russia.
5. Desert Air Force
Aired 11 December 1954 • 30 min
A review of the Middle East air war from mid 1940 to the end of 1942.
6. Combined Operations
Aired 18 December 1954 • 30 min
Covers the Allied air operations between early 1942 and early 1943.
7. The Rising Sun
Aired 25 December 1954 • 30 min
The air war in the Far East between 1941 and 1943.
8. Round the Clock
Aired 1 January 1955 • 30 min
Covers the Allied strategic bombing of Germany between early 1943 and early 1944.
9. Wings Over Italy
Aired 8 January 1955 • 30 min
A review of the air war over Italy from mid-1943 to mid-1944.
10. Operation Overlord
Aired 15 January 1955 • 30 min
Details of the air operations mainly over northern France before the D-Day landings in Normandy in June 1944.
11. Facing New Weapons
Aired 22 January 1955 • 30 min
Looks at the fight against the development and deployment of the German V weapons. This includes a first look at the use jet planes.
12. The Cold Dawn
Aired 29 January 1955 • 30 min
Reviews the end of the air war in Europe.
13. Eastern Victory
Aired 5 February 1955 • 30 min
This episode covers the end of the war against Japan and the American deployment of the Atom Bomb.
14. The Unquiet Peace
Aired 12 February 1955 • 30 min
A review of the end of the Second World War and the start of the Cold War.
15. Past and Future
Aired 19 February 1955 • 30 min
The last episode looks at the development of military aircraft and their potential for the future.