In 1939, Britain was a global superpower. A year later, it was the frontline of a desperate struggle to survive. The coming of war transformed people's lives.
On 7th September 1940, more than eight hundred German planes flew up the Thames towards the docks. It was the opening salvo of the blitz. For nine months the Luftwafe brought terror to the nation's capital city, wiping out whole are areas from the map. Water and gas supplies cease to function and local governments struggled to cope as families were bombed out. Ordinary people faced this carnage with extraordinary courage and resilience. This terrifying period in our history is illustrated using rare archive film and told by those who were there.
On 10th May 1941, the Germans launched their deadliest raid of the Blitz. The target was London. By the time it was over, the House of Commons lay in ruins and only Marylebone station was functioning. Cracks began to emerge in the 'Blitz Spirit', as tighter rationing and defeats abroad caused a loss of confidence in Churchill's Government. But in 1942, a major victory at El Alamein gave the country a chance to rejoice. Using rare archive film, this is the story of life in the war - told by those who were there.
By 1944, Britain was enjoying a period of relative calm, disturbed only by the occasional air raid. The capital city was home to Allied troops preparing for the invasion of Europe. A week after the Normandy landings, Hitler struck back with a terrifying new weapon - the V1. Once again, London was undergoing a trial by fire, as Nazi missiles pounded the city. The Blitz had returned in a deadlier form. Using rare archive film, this is the story of life in the war - told by those who were there.
