Narrow Escapes of World War II

This is the story of Operation Jericho: the bombing of the jail at Amiens so that French Resistance fighters and Allied spies could escape before their execution day.

S01:E02 - The Doolittle Raid

To revenge Pearl Harbour, US bombers staged an astonishing long-distance attack on Tokyo, flying even though they were unlikely to get back alive.

S01:E03 - Wingate & the Chindits

Surrounded by the Japanese, Orde Wingate led the 77th Indian Infantry Brigade in one of the most imaginative and complex escapes of World War II.

S01:E04 - The Black Battalion

Unsung heroes: the battalion of black soldiers who were surrounded, down to their last ten rounds, and yet who helped win the Battle of the Bulge.

S01:E05 - Lucky Laycock's Escape From Crete

55 min

This is the dramatic story of how Crete was captured by the Germans and how Robert Laycock led a desperate rear guard action against crack German mountain troops.

S01:E06 - Manstein Holds the Line

Fleeing from the Russian troops, Erich von Manstein devised one of the most brilliant escapes in military history one that is still studied in military schools.

S01:E07 - The Siege of Kohima

51 min

Outnumbered by ten to one at the Siege of Kohima, a tiny garrison of British and Indian soldiers stood firm against the might of the Imperial Japanese Army.

S01:E08 - Roy Urquhart Escapes From Arnhem

After failure of Operation Market Garden, Major General Roy Urquhart devised a plan to get the trapped survivors across the Rhine under the cover of darkness

S01:E09 - Morshead Holds Tobruk

Morshead holds Tobruk tells the heroic story of Australian General Leslie Morshead and his brilliant defence of Tobruk.

S01:E10 - Evacuation in the Baltic

In early 1945 nearly two million people were trapped in East Prussia by the advancing Red Army; this is the account of how the German Navy evacuated the terrified population to the safety.

S01:E11 - Moore's March

52 min

Now part of SAS legend, Trooper Ronald Moore led his men through miles and miles of desert back to headquarters when trapped behind enemy lines in the Sahara.

S01:E12 - Operation Pedestal

Dudley Mason piloted his oil tanker through German attacks for six days to help to relieve the siege of Malta; for this he was awarded Britains highest civilian award for bravery the George Cross.

S01:E13 - Breakout Through Hell's Gate

52 min